C&P Exam
VA Terminology Definition
Plain English Definition
Compensation and Pension Exam - a medical examination the VA orders to evaluate your disability. The results heavily influence your rating decision.
Why This Matters
About 93% of C&P exams are done by contractors, not VA employees. The exam typically lasts 15-30 minutes. What happens during this exam can make or break your claim.
Example
After filing a claim for PTSD, the VA schedules a C&P exam where a psychologist asks about your symptoms, their frequency, and how they affect your daily life and work.