How to Prepare for Your C&P Exam

The Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam is where an examiner documents how severe your condition is. The rater leans heavily on that report — so the exam often matters more than any single document in your file.

The single biggest mistake: minimizing

Veterans are trained by life to tough it out and answer "I'm fine." In a C&P exam, downplaying your symptoms gets your claim rated lower than the truth. Describe your worst days, not your best ones — honestly, never exaggerated.

What to do before the exam

• •Know the criteria. Each condition is rated against specific 38 CFR Part 4 criteria. Knowing them tells you what the examiner needs to capture.
• •Re-read your own statements. Be consistent with what's already in your file.
• •Write down concrete examples of how the condition limits work, sleep, relationships, and daily tasks — flare-ups included.

During the exam

• •Answer about your typical day and your flare-ups, not just the moment you're sitting there.
• •If a movement hurts, say so — don't push through silently.
• •Be honest about frequency: "three times a week," "most mornings," "every time I…"

After the exam

You can request a copy of the exam report (the DBQ the examiner completed). If it contains a clear factual error or the examiner didn't address something, that's important — it can be addressed before a decision or on review.

This is preparation, not coaching. Tell the truth about your real symptoms. The goal is an accurate record, not a higher number than the evidence supports.