The Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam is a medical evaluation conducted for veterans seeking disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This examination is a required step, helping the VA determine if a condition is service-connected and the appropriate severity rating. A detailed report, often utilizing a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), is created and becomes a significant piece of evidence in the veteran’s claims file (C-file). Veterans have a right to view this report to ensure its accuracy before the VA makes a final decision.
Accessing C&P Results Through VA Digital Portals
The fastest method for a veteran to view C&P exam results is through the My HealtheVet (MHV) portal, utilizing the Blue Button feature. This tool allows veterans to download their VA health records, including clinical notes and reports generated by VA medical staff. If the C&P exam was conducted by a VA healthcare provider, the report will be uploaded into the veteran’s electronic health record and accessible via MHV.
Access requires a premium MHV account and navigating to the Blue Button report section. A complication arises when the exam is performed by a third-party contractor (e.g., Leidos QTC Health Services, OptumServe, or VES). Reports from these contracted examiners do not automatically populate the VA health record and are not immediately available in the MHV Blue Button download.
Requesting Results Via Formal Written Procedures
When the C&P exam report is not available through digital health portals, veterans must use a formal written request to obtain a copy. This ensures access to the records, a right protected under federal law. The official mechanism involves submitting a request under the Privacy Act for personal records held by a federal agency.
The specific document used is VA Form 20-10206, titled “Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or Privacy Act Request.” This form allows a veteran to ask for records like the C&P exam report from their C-file. The form must be completed and submitted to the VA’s Evidence Intake Center or the specific VA Regional Office handling the claim.
An accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can also submit the request. VSOs can access the Veteran Benefits Management System (VBMS) and retrieve the report electronically on the veteran’s behalf. Although the VA is legally required to respond within a set timeframe, delivery of the documents may be subject to delays. This formal process is the reliable mechanism to receive a copy of the report before the rating decision is finalized.
When Will the Results Be Available and What Happens Next?
The time it takes for C&P results to become available for review is distinct from the time required for the final claims decision. After the examination is complete, the examiner must finalize the report and submit it to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). This submission process can take several weeks, as the document must be reviewed for completeness before being uploaded into the veteran’s electronic claims file.
Once the report is in the claims file, a VA Rater reviews it alongside all other evidence, including service records and private medical documentation. A veteran can expect the final rating decision within 30 to 90 calendar days after the final C&P exam is completed. Complex claims may extend this timeline to 120 days or longer. Reviewing the C&P report before the decision is finalized allows the veteran to identify any factual errors or omissions in the medical findings.