Preparing for VA Claim Exams: What Veterans Should Know
You may have to undergo a VA C&P exam when seeking VA benefits. This is an exam often issued to people seeking disability compensation benefits. This is when an examiner reviews your medical records and may conduct a physical examination. They will look at all records during your service, such as those generated by the Department of Defense and others. This process is essential for determining your service connection and disability compensation. Our VA claims lawyer works to empower veterans with the knowledge to optimize their claim exams. We want to maximize your chances of success. Speak to the VA Claims Lawyer today.
VA Claim Exams
There are several types of VA claim exams that serve different purposes. You will likely undergo a mental health exam or a compensation and pension exam. These examinations will help determine if your disability resulted from your service or has gotten worse from your service. On the surface, you would assume the process is straightforward, but as with many VA benefit issues, it can be more complicated than expected. Keep in mind you will not get any treatment during your exam.
A treatment appointment is different from a VA claim exam. You will read through your military, private, and VA records during your exam. You must go into detail about these records and review them before your examination appointment. You may have to discuss:
Your disability medical diagnosis
Symptoms of your disability
The connection between your disability and your military service
When the disability symptoms began
When you started active duty
If the symptoms started during or after active duty
If you currently have symptoms and their severity
These are standard questions you will be asked. When reviewing your VA claim, the examiner will assess your disability against CFR, Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). This list has 900 disabilities. It can help to review this list before your exam. The examiner will ask about your symptoms and how they tie to a legal rating. They will consider physical and mental health impairments. When describing your symptoms, do not talk about your best day. Instead, tell the examiner about your worst day. However, you should not lie or exaggerate your truth.
A treatment appointment is different because it will treat your ailment. You can obtain treatment for posttraumatic stress, physical impairments, military sexual trauma, and other concerns. If you currently have VA medical services, you can ask a primary care provider to refer you to the relevant doctors. Contact your local medical center to get started if you do not use VA medical services.
Essential Preparation Tips for Veteran Claims
When preparing for your VA claim, there are some vital steps you can take. First, you should speak to a VA claims lawyer. You will also want to organize your medical records, emphasizing those pertaining to your disabilities. This can include your private, VA, and civilian records. This will help show a complete picture of your condition. It is beneficial to begin documenting your symptoms and limitations. You should write down:
Frequency of symptoms
Severity of symptoms
Impact of symptoms on your daily life
Restrictions you have now because of your disability
When explaining how your disabilities limit your work, life, and social function, you will want to focus on your pain level, loss of use of your function, and any limitation in range of motion. By keeping a journal, you will have your daily symptoms detailed comprehensively. No detail is too small to include in your journal.
During the examination, stop whenever you feel discomfort or pain. This is often a challenge for veterans who have grown accustomed to pushing their bodies beyond their limits. It can lead to a claim denial if you do so during an examination. You should also familiarize yourself with your claim. You want to know your story inside and out. Study the disability you claim and how it connects to your military service.
You should be ready to discuss any stressor incidents during your service in detail. You might have to disclose the exact month and year that your disability symptoms started. A VA buddy letter can help corroborate your story. This is a third person who can back up your claim. Be prepared to tell the examiner about your life before, during, or after your active service. This can help pinpoint when your disability began and how your life has changed.
Preparing a list of relevant questions to clarify the process or anything you are uncertain about is beneficial. These questions will also help provide additional information about your condition. Remember your exam starts when you enter the parking lot so walk around like you are being watched at all times. The examiner is not on your side. You should be courteous and have a positive attitude.
Additional Dos and Don'ts for Success
Here are some additional ways to prepare for your VA claim examination. You should arrive early since punctuality demonstrates respect for the examiner's time and professionalism. You will want to wear comfortable clothing to move around during the examination. Bring copies of your ID, medical records, and your claim file. The more accurate your documentation, the better your assessments will be. It is also ideal to be cooperative and courteous.
You should not discuss your past issues with the examiner and, instead, focus on your current symptoms and restrictions. If you do not understand a question, need clarity, or need time to answer it, ask for it. This will not be held against you if you ask for it politely.
Speak to a VA Claims Lawyer
When preparing for your C&P exam, you should ensure you have all the adequate
documentation and know your story inside and out. The more you prepare, the better your chances of getting the benefits you deserve. For additional assistance, you should speak to a Veterans claims lawyer. We serve clients in all 50 states, and our promise to you is that there will be no fee unless you win. Call the VA claims lawyer at (877) VET-FILE to request your free case review.