A Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam is a medical evaluation requested by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to gather evidence for a disability claim. Its sole purpose is to assess the nature and severity of a claimed condition and determine if it is connected to military service. The resulting C&P Report documents the examiner’s findings and directly influences the VA’s final decision on service connection and the assigned disability rating. Accessing and understanding this report is a fundamental step for any veteran navigating the disability claims process.
Accessing Results Through Online VA Portals
The fastest way to view C&P exam results is through the VA’s online health portals, such as My HealtheVet and the health records section on VA.gov. For the most comprehensive access, a veteran needs an identity-verified, or “Premium,” My HealtheVet account. This account can be accessed by signing in with a Login.gov or ID.me account.
Once logged in, the VA Blue Button feature can generate a customizable report that often includes the C&P examination results. These records are typically available about 30 days after the exam is finalized and submitted to the VA. If the exam was conducted by a contracted, non-VA provider, the report may take longer to appear.
The C&P report appears online after the examiner completes the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) and submits the documentation to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The report’s availability typically precedes the final rating decision summary by several weeks or months. The final decision summary is generated only after the claims processor has reviewed the entire file.
Formal Requests for the C&P Examination File
When the C&P report is unavailable online, or when a veteran needs the complete claims file (C-File), formal requests are necessary. The C-File contains all documents related to the disability claim, including service treatment records, past rating decisions, and C&P reports. This comprehensive file is often necessary for veterans considering an appeal or seeking a detailed understanding of their claim’s history.
The C-File can be obtained by submitting a request under the Privacy Act or the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Veterans should use VA Form 20-10206 to request access to their benefit and claims records, including C&P exams. The request can be submitted online, by mail, or by fax to the VA’s Evidence Intake Center.
Veterans can also seek assistance from a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) or an accredited attorney or agent who has Power of Attorney (POA). These representatives often have direct electronic access to the claims file through the Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS), which expedites obtaining the C&P report. While online portals offer the fastest access to the report, formal requests for the C-File can take a significantly longer period, often ranging from several months up to a year.
Interpreting the Key Sections of the C&P Report
Once the C&P report is obtained, a veteran should focus on several key sections that dictate the claims outcome. The report confirms the examiner’s diagnosis of the claimed condition and provides objective medical findings supporting that diagnosis. This section confirms the medical basis for the claim.
The “Nexus Statement” is the most important part of the report, as it establishes the connection between the current condition and military service. The examiner uses specific language to express the probability of this connection. They state whether the condition is “less likely than not,” “at least as likely as not,” or “more likely than not” related to service. A finding of “at least as likely as not” signifies a 50% or greater probability, which is the minimum standard required for the VA to grant the claim.
The report also includes an assessment of the disability’s severity, often documented using the DBQ. This assessment details the functional impairment, describing how the condition limits the veteran’s daily life and work. Specific findings regarding range of motion, pain, and the frequency and duration of symptoms directly inform the final rating percentage assigned by the VA claims processor, based on the Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
Next Steps After Reviewing the Findings
Reviewing the C&P report allows a veteran to anticipate the final decision and determine the next course of action. If the findings, especially the nexus statement and severity assessment, are favorable, the veteran should await the final rating decision letter. The final decision is typically issued within 30 to 90 days after the last C&P exam, though this timeframe varies based on the claim’s complexity and the VBA’s workload.
If the report contains unfavorable findings, such as a “less likely than not” nexus opinion or an inaccurate severity assessment, the veteran can challenge the outcome. Options under the VA’s decision review system include filing a Supplemental Claim, requesting a Higher-Level Review (HLR), or appealing to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. A Supplemental Claim is appropriate if the veteran has new and relevant evidence, such as a private medical opinion (Nexus Letter), that directly counters the C&P examiner’s conclusion.
Gathering new medical evidence is important if the C&P report contains factual errors or insufficient medical justification. New evidence, such as a report from a private physician, must address the specific deficiencies in the C&P exam. It must clearly establish the link to service under the “at least as likely as not” standard. Addressing the C&P report’s findings proactively can improve the chances of a successful outcome through the review process.