A Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a formal medical evaluation requested by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The purpose is to gather medical evidence for the VA to determine a veteran’s claim for disability benefits. The examiner’s findings establish a service connection for the condition and assess the severity of symptoms, which dictates the disability rating.
Preparing for the PTSD Examination
Preparation involves organizing your history and current condition to present a clear picture to the examiner. Review your claim file, specifically the documentation of your in-service stressor event, which is the traumatic incident that led to your PTSD. Organize your thoughts and any supporting evidence, such as military records or personal journals, to clearly articulate the event’s details.
Create a detailed personal statement summarizing your current symptoms and the corresponding functional impairment. This statement serves as a structured method for recalling specific examples and ensuring you do not forget important details during the exam. Consider keeping a symptom diary in the weeks leading up to the appointment, noting the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms like nightmares, panic attacks, or irritability.
Gather and organize supporting statements from people who know you well, such as spouses, family members, or fellow service members, often called “buddy statements.” These accounts provide external context for how your symptoms affect your behavior and relationships. Focus preparation on directly linking your current mental health symptoms and functional difficulties back to the claimed stressor event from your military service.
The Examination Setting and Flow
The C&P exam for PTSD is conducted by a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed clinical social worker. The examiner may be a VA employee or a contracted provider, and the location can be a VA facility, a private clinic, or via secure telehealth video conferencing. The appointment is an objective, clinical interview intended for evaluation and report generation, not for providing medical treatment.
The duration for a C&P exam for a mental health condition like PTSD is usually between 60 and 90 minutes, though the time may vary depending on the complexity of the claim. The session begins with introductions and a review of your background information and military service history. The examiner then moves into a detailed discussion of your symptoms and how they have progressed since the traumatic event.
The professional’s role is to translate your experience into the clinical language required by the VA using the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). The DBQ is a standardized form the examiner completes during or immediately following the appointment. This form systematically documents the presence and severity of symptoms and the resulting functional impairment, addressing all required criteria for the VA rating schedule.
Key Areas the Examiner Will Assess
The examiner’s task is to determine if your symptoms meet the clinical criteria for a PTSD diagnosis and to assess how severely the condition impacts your life. They must confirm the presence and nature of the stressor event, which is the traumatic exposure experienced during service. This validation is required for any PTSD claim.
The assessment then focuses on the four main clusters of symptoms associated with the condition. The first cluster involves re-experiencing symptoms, such as unwanted intrusive memories, flashbacks, or recurring distressing dreams related to the traumatic event. The examiner will ask about the frequency and intensity of these intrusions.
The second area involves avoidance behaviors, which includes actively trying to avoid places, people, conversations, or situations that serve as reminders of the trauma.
The third cluster focuses on negative alterations in cognition and mood. The examiner looks for signs of persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world, emotional numbing, or a diminished interest in activities.
The final cluster covers alterations in arousal and reactivity, which manifest as hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, irritability, aggressive behavior, and difficulty concentrating or sleeping. Throughout the discussion, the examiner assesses the degree of functional impairment. They document how your PTSD symptoms interfere with your social relationships, family life, and ability to obtain or maintain employment. The severity of this functional limitation determines the percentage of your disability rating.
Post-Exam Process and Timeline
Immediately following the examination, the mental health professional finalizes the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) based on your interview and clinical observations. This completed report, along with other medical evidence and your service records, is submitted to the VA Rating Authority for review. The examiner does not make the final decision on your claim or disability rating.
Once the DBQ is submitted, it becomes part of your claims file and enters the administrative phase of the VA’s process. The VA may issue a Development Letter if additional evidence or clarification is needed from you or the examiner. The time it takes to receive a decision varies based on the complexity of the claim and the VA’s workload, but a final rating decision often takes 30 to 120 calendar days after the exam.