VA Compensation and Pension Exam: What the Examiner Wants You to Know

An Examiner’s perspective relating to psychiatric compensation and pension exams. It is still a good guideline for all exams.

A VA Compensation and Pension Examiner’s perspective relating to psychiatric exams. It is a good guideline for all exams, but they only did psych exams.

The VA has examined me for multiple problems, and this is my format when I go to be examined. A little common sense and clarity of thinking will go a long way toward getting you what you are entitled to. Written by: Steve A. Neff MSW

This person is going to judge you. It’s their job, and that is why you are there. To be adjudicated fairly. How would you like to be remembered? A skuzzy stereotypical veteran? Or a troubled one who is doing the best they can? – Steve A. Neff MSW

Do not talk about alcohol or drug-related issues. You are not there to be assessed for those problems. You are there to be evaluated for your psychiatric functioning as today relates to your service history…

Answer the questions to the best of your ability. If you don’t know, say so. This is nearly a no-brainer but be honest. Don’t embellish your stories with fanciful tales. Just the facts, please.

Be able to document everything you tell the examiner… Family member letters usually don’t add much weight… If sleep is a problem, don’t sleep the night before… Payback in a VA C&P exam is you lose… When responding to examiners, you need to pick the worst moment relating to that question…

What to Expect during the Medical Examination

You should expect the examiner performing your medical examination to evaluate the condition(s) listed on your claim… I discovered veterans lying and dealt with them by reporting this to the proper authorities at the VA… Examiners are generally good people trying to do a challenging job… Husbands and wives can tell the truth much better than veterans… Remember to report how you REALLY are doing and not how you’d like to be doing… Should I write, “The veteran reports that he is doing pretty good?” Not if you want your claim adjudicated fairly. The best answer I ever got from a veteran was from a former Marine Vietnam Veteran who said:

“If I’m here, I can’t be doing very well now, can I? I haven’t been able to sleep for the past ten days over worrying about this exam, and my wife says I’m really grumpy, and the bill collectors call all of the time.”

This veteran just told me he couldn’t sleep due to anxiety, was depressed (grumpy), and had problems with work history… These are things I can explore further with the veteran… He ended up 100% service-connected for PTSD. Steve A. Neff MSW