You’re one step closer to better understanding the VA disability process.
A Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam can feel like a make-or-break moment. It shouldn’t be—but it often is the only time someone sits down and takes a detailed snapshot of how your conditions are affecting you right now.
This guide won’t tell you what to say or how to “beat” the exam. That’s not the goal. Instead, it’s about helping you show up prepared, honest, and clear—without minimizing what you’re really dealing with.
1. Understand what the exam actually is
A C&P exam is not regular treatment and it’s not therapy. The examiner’s job is to gather information for the VA, usually using a checklist or questionnaire. They may not have read every page of your records, and you might only see them once.
That means the way you describe your symptoms in that short window can carry a lot of weight in the final decision.
2. Think in terms of your “average” and your “worst” days
Many veterans either talk only about their worst days or only about their best. The exam should reflect the full picture:
- Average days: What do you typically deal with most of the time? Pain levels, mood, sleep, energy, concentration.
- Bad days / flare-ups: How often do they happen, what triggers them, and what do they stop you from doing?
Writing this down ahead of time can help you avoid freezing or forgetting key details during the appointment.
3. Describe impact, not just symptoms
Instead of only saying, “My back hurts” or “I have anxiety,” tie it to real life:
- “I can’t stand more than __ minutes without needing to sit or lean on something.”
- “I avoid driving at night / in traffic because I get too tense and distracted.”
- “I miss work or leave early several times a month because of migraines or panic attacks.”
Concrete examples like this help the examiner understand how your condition affects work, family, and basic tasks.
4. Be honest about good days too
If you have better days, it’s okay to say that. Being honest doesn’t hurt your claim—it makes you more credible. You can say things like:
- “Some days I can get a lot done, but I usually pay for it the next day with more pain or exhaustion.”
- “I can do X, but only if I pace myself or take breaks every __ minutes.”
5. Don’t perform, but don’t downplay
You don’t need to exaggerate symptoms or act differently than you would on a normal day. At the same time, this is not the moment to minimize what you’re going through just to look tough or polite.
Move, sit, stand, and answer questions the way you normally would. If something hurts, say so. If you’re anxious or uncomfortable, it’s okay to acknowledge that.
6. Practical tips for the day of the exam
- Arrive early so you’re not rushed or stressed by traffic.
- Bring a short list of key points you don’t want to forget.
- Bring glasses, hearing aids, braces, or devices you normally use.
- If you’re having a worse-than-usual day, briefly explain that and how it compares to your normal baseline.
7. Where Patriot Aid fits in
We help you think through your story before you ever walk into the exam room. That can include:
- Reviewing which conditions are being evaluated and what records exist so far.
- Helping you organize your thoughts about symptoms, impact, and flare-ups in plain language.
- Talking through what kind of questions you might hear so you’re not blindsided.
- Making sure the exam fits into a bigger strategy—not just a one-time event.
The exam is one snapshot. Your life is the full story. The more clearly you can explain that story, the better the system can understand what you’re really living with.
If you’ve got an exam coming up—or you’re worried about one that already happened—Patriot Aid can help you look at the bigger picture and plan your next steps.