C&P exam preparation
Choose what your exam is for. Then follow four steps: learn what gets checked, prepare your answers, get your records ready, and keep your guide. For back, neck, shoulder, knee, and ankle exams, watch how the movement is measured.
Build your guide
Pick your conditions.
Select the conditions you want to review. Each adds a guide explaining what to bring, what the examiner may ask, and how VA decides the percentage. Some conditions need test results before a percentage can be worked out.
Your conditions
Search or tap to add. You can select as many as apply.
Read condition-specific C&P guides
Choose a condition to read its guide on a separate page. It has the same information as the tool above.
See how movement is measured
Choose a body part, press Play, and move the slider. To add an example to your estimate, use a measurement from your exam records and choose “Use this movement estimate.” Moving the slider alone does not change your total. Follow your examiner’s instructions at the exam.
Your exam preparation
Choose one or more conditions above to make a guide for your conditions.
Optional: explore a combined rating estimate
What if VA says no, or I disagree with the decision?
The examiner writes a report. VA uses it with your other records to make a decision. When the letter arrives, read what VA decided and why. If you disagree with a denial, percentage, or the date your benefits start, use the questions below to find your next step.
I received a VA decision I disagree with
Still waiting for the letter? Respond to any requests from VA about your current claim. VA explains what happens after the exam.
Ready to keep your guide? Mark the steps you finished, then add it to My Reports. It keeps your selected guides and checked steps in this tab for up to 8 hours. Open My Reports to download a PDF or email your packet.
Use this checklist for any exam
- Describe a usual day and a worse day. Say how often symptoms get worse, how long that lasts, and what becomes harder to do. Explain when a bad day is unusual for you.
- Report pain accurately. Tell the examiner when pain begins, and do not force movement beyond what you can safely do.
- Give a real example. Explain what happens when you sit, walk, work, sleep, or get dressed. Say what help you need and what you can still do.
- Explain what pushing through takes. If you keep going despite symptoms, describe the breaks, help, or recovery time you need.
- Use your own experience. Read the sample answer, then fill in the outline with your own facts. VetOps provides preparation information and is separate from VA, a veterans service organization, or your medical provider.
C&P exam prep
Know what to expect at your C&P exam.
Choose your conditions. See what the examiner may ask or measure, read example answers, and make a checklist for exam day. Each guide explains how VA uses your exam and records. Free to use.
After the exam
Organize the rest of your claim.
Get the records checklist and filing steps for your claim. If VA has sent a decision you disagree with, the claims questions can help you find your next review step.