Looking through the various requirements needed to secure Veterans disability benefits, it can be easy to miss one or think that you can squeeze by without it. In fact, every element of this lengthy process is necessary and your claim will be at risk if you do not follow all instructions. It is incredibly important that you complete every portion of your application, including your C&P exam – but only for applicants whose claim requires it. Let our VA-accredited disability attorneys explain all you need to know for the Department of Veterans Affairs to approve your benefits.
A C&P exam, or a compensation and pension exam, is a type of medical examination conducted by a VA doctor or another contracted provider to assess a Veteran’s need for benefits. Unlike a typical examination, the doctor will not complete a full physical evaluation, provide diagnoses, or prescribe medications. Instead, the physician will simply observe you while asking questions pertaining to the information you provided in your disability application.
After this examination is completed, the results will be submitted to the VA to help aid their determination. If the results of the examination confirm the claims in your application, the VA is more likely to grant your requested benefits.
It is important to note that not every applicant has to complete a C&P exam. The VA only asks individuals to complete the exam if they need more information to determine the results of the claim. If you are not scheduled to complete a C&P exam, this is because the VA has enough information from your medical and service records to make the appropriate determinations. However, if the VA does schedule a C&P exam for you, it is important to attend, as it means they still require vital medical information to determine your benefits.
What happens if you did not or cannot attend your C&P exam or worse? While the VA will have you call to confirm your appointment once it is selected, there is a chance that your schedule may change, and you are unable to attend. If this is the case, it is crucial that you notify the VA medical center or your contracted physician as soon as possible, and no later than 48 hours in advance.
There is a limit to how many times you can reschedule, as well as a limited timeframe within which you can reschedule. For example, if you are scheduled to complete your exam with a contractor, you can only reschedule that exam once, with the rescheduled appointment being within five days of that original appointment. Similarly, if you miss your C&P exam, you risk delaying your application significantly. If you can prove that your absence was due to “good cause,” then the VA will assist you in rescheduling your appointment. Without a “good cause,” the VA may delay your application or decide your claim solely based on their existing evidence, which may mean reduced benefits or possibly a denial.
If you or your loved one is struggling to secure VA benefits or unpacking the complex jargon that accompanies them, it may be time to consider hiring an attorney with experience securing VA disability benefits. Call Fight4Vets today, the largest Veterans law firm in the country, and let us fight for you to secure the care you deserve.
