As part of the disability claims process, if the VA determines that there is sufficient evidence of in-service occurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury, it will typically schedule the veteran for an examination called a Compensation and Pension Examination, or more commonly referred to as a C&P exam. It may be performed by a VA examiner or by someone outside the VA who is under contract with the VA to perform the exams. These exams are critical to the case both in determining:
- If the condition is service-related
- The extent of the disability for ratings purposes
However, in typical fashion, the VA doesn't tell the veteran what will happen at the examination. At Bosley & Bratch we believe veterans have a right to know what is going to go on in these examinations, so below we have included copies of many of the most popular VA Compensation and Pension Examination Questionnaires. These questionnaires will provide you with a framework of what will be covered during the examination.
Audiological
Cardiovascular
- Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)
- Artery & Vein Conditions (Vascular Diseases including Varicose Veins)
- Hypertension
- Heart Conditions (including IHD, Non-IHD, Arrhythmias, Valvular Disease and Cardiac Surgery)
Dental and Oral
Dermatological
Endocrinological
Gastrointestinal
- Esophageal Conditions (Including GERD, Hiatal Hernia & Other Esophageal Disorders)
- Gallbladder and Pancreas Conditions
- Intestinal Conditions (other than Surgical or Infectious) Including Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis & Diverticulitis
- Intestinal Surgery (Bowel Resection, Colostomy, Illiostomy)
- Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, and other Liver Conditions
- Peritoneal Adhesions
- Stomach and Duodenal Conditions (not including GERD or Esophageal Disorders)
- Infectious Intestinal Disorders (including Bacterial & Parasitic Infections)
Genitourinary
Gynecological
Hematologic and Lymphatic
Infectious Diseases
Musculoskeletal
- Amputations
- Ankle Conditions
- Non-Degenerative Arthritis (including Inflammatory, Autoimmune, Crystalline & Infectious Arthritis) and Dysbaric Osteonecrosis
- Elbow and Forearm Conditions
- Flatfoot (Pes Planus)
- Foot Miscellaneous (other than Flatfoot/Pes Planus)
- Hand and Finger Conditions
- Hip and Thigh Conditions
- Knee and Lower Leg Conditions
- Muscle Injuries
- Osteomyelitis
- Shoulder and Arm Conditions
- Neck (Cervical Spine) Conditions
- Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) Conditions
- Wrist Conditions
Neurological
- Parkinson's Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
- Diabetic Sensory-Motor Peripheral Neuropathy
- Central Nervous System & Neuromuscular Diseases (except TBI, ALS, PD, MS, Headaches, TMJ, Epilepsy, Narcolepsy, Peripheral Nerves, Sleep Apnea, Cranial Nerves, Fibromyalgia, and CFS)
- Headaches (Including Migraine Headaches)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Peripheral Nerve Conditions (Not Including Diabetic Sensory-Motor Peripheral Neuropathy)
Ophthalmological
Psychological
Respiratory
General Surgery
Below are some general suggestions/guidelines for veterans attending VA Compensation and Pension Examinations:
- Be on time.
- Be polite.
- In PTSD and other mental disorder claims, avoid talking about alcohol or drug-related issues. You are not there to be assessed for those problems. You are there to be assessed for your psychiatric functioning as today relates to your service history.
- Stay on point with coherent, concise sentences, and not rambling rants.
- Answer the questions to the best of your ability. If you don't know, say so.
- Be honest. Don't embellish your stories with fanciful tales. Just state the facts.
- Dress the way you normally dress. Your appearance may be part of the evaluation so if you go overboard in your dress it could unfairly influence the examiner's opinion.
- When responding to examiners you need to pick the worst moment of time relating to that question. You need to be rated for the worst times you have had.
- Bring your spouse or significant other if possible. If they are allowed in the examination room and allowed to talk they can share a unique and valuable perspective.
- Remember to report how you really are doing and not how you'd like to be doing. Most veterans want to be doing much better than they really are. It's a natural response. Even something as simple as responding to the question "How are you doing today" with "I'm doing ok" can be used against a veteran. You're there to be rated based on how you are doing, so if you minimize how bad things are your rating will also be minimized.
