Short answer
No. The examiner documents findings and may give a medical opinion, but a VA rating decision-maker assigns the rating using all the evidence.
What Is a C&P Exam?
After you file a VA disability claim, VA may schedule a C&P exam to get the medical information it needs to decide the claim. The examiner may be a VA provider or work for a VA-contracted vendor. The examiner reviews your records, asks about your symptoms, may perform tests, and fills out condition-specific Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) that match the VA rating schedule.
The examiner does not decide your claim and doesn’t treat you. They record findings and may give a medical opinion, for example whether your condition is “at least as likely as not” connected to your service. A VA rater then decides using your whole file.
In some cases VA uses Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE), which means a clinician completes the DBQ from your existing records without an in-person exam.
USA C&P Exam: Quick Facts
- Run by
- VA clinicians or VA-contracted exam vendors
- Purpose
- Medical evidence for disability compensation or pension claims
- Length
- 15 minutes to 1+ hour (initial mental-health exams can be longer)
- Cost to veteran
- $0
- Forms used
- Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs)
- Ratings
- 0%–100% in 10% steps
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Disclaimer: This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. Coverage, prices and requirements change and vary by provider and location. Confirm details with your provider, insurer or the agency listed in the sources. Read our editorial policy.