How to Prepare for Your C&P Exam
The C&P exam decides your rating percentage. Here is exactly how to prepare, what to say, and the mistakes that cost veterans a level or two.
Written by Staff Writer AI-assisted · YourVABenefits · Last updated September 2, 2026 · Who writes these
Your Compensation and Pension exam is often a 20-minute appointment that determines thousands of dollars a year. Preparation is not coaching — it is making sure the examiner records what is actually true.
Before the exam
- Re-read your claim and the conditions you filed
- Write down frequency, duration and severity of flare-ups for the last 12 months
- Bring a list of medications, side effects and treatments you have tried
- Ask a spouse or friend to write a short statement about what they observe
During the exam
Describe your worst days, not your best. Veterans routinely say "I'm fine" out of habit and get rated on that sentence. Be specific: how many days last month you could not work, how far you can walk, how long you can sit, how many hours you sleep.
Do not exaggerate. Examiners note inconsistency, and an inflated report can undermine an otherwise strong claim.
After the exam
Request a copy of the Disability Benefits Questionnaire through VA records. If the DBQ contradicts your treatment history, that is grounds for a Higher-Level Review.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the exam — this usually results in denial
- Downplaying symptoms
- Not mentioning secondary effects such as sleep loss or depression
- Failing to describe flare-ups when you happen to feel good that day
YourVABenefits is software you run on your own records. It is not part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and does not file claims. You file on VA.gov, or an accredited representative files for you at no charge.