VA Claims Exams (C&P): 12 General Questions Veterans May Want to Ask Before, During, and After
C&P (Compensation & Pension) exams can feel high-stakes and confusing—especially if you’re hearing mixed advice online. This post is general information designed to help you get organized and prepare better questions. It’s not medical advice, diagnosis, treatment guidance, or individualized claim strategy.
What a C&P exam is (general overview)
A C&P exam is an evaluation used as part of the VA disability claims process. The examiner’s role is typically to document information and complete required questionnaires. Veterans often find it helpful to understand the “what happens next” steps so they can stay organized.
12 general questions you may want to ask
Use what’s relevant to your situation and comfort level.
Before the exam
What is the purpose of today’s exam, in general terms?
How long is the appointment expected to take?
Is there anything specific you need me to have available (documents, list of medications, prior records)?
If I brought notes, is it okay to reference them to stay accurate?
During the exam
Which forms or questionnaires are you completing today (in general)?
What information are you documenting from my history versus today’s observations?
If I don’t understand a question, can you repeat or clarify it?
If I remember something important after we move on, can I add it before we finish?
After the exam
What happens after this exam—where does the information go next?
Is there a way to confirm the exam was completed and submitted?
If I notice a factual error later (dates, basic details), what’s the general process to correct it?
What is a realistic timeline for the next step (in general), and where can I check status?
What to bring (general prep)
Many veterans find it useful to bring:
a simple timeline of key events (dates, units, locations)
a short list of symptoms/limitations in plain language (no need for perfect wording)
current medication list (if applicable)
a notebook with questions (like the ones above)
A calmer way to think about it
Your job isn’t to “perform” or guess what someone wants to hear. Your job is to be accurate, consistent, and organized—so the process has clean information to work with.
If you want help getting organized for the transition process, Blue Violet Services can help you build a clear questions list, document folder structure, and a simple timeline—so you can understand the process and prepare better questions.