Why You Must Attend All C&P Exams (And What Happens If You Don’t)
Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams are one of the most important stages of the VA disability process. Attending every scheduled exam protects your claim and supports your evidence.
Why Your C&P Exam Matters
C&P exams allow VA examiners to:
- Evaluate the severity of your condition
- Confirm diagnoses
- Determine service connection
- Measure functional limitations
Your exam results often carry significant weight in your final decision.
What Happens If You Miss Your Exam
Missing a C&P exam can lead to:
- Automatic denial of your condition
- Delayed claim processing
- The VA deciding based on limited evidence
- A reduction in your likelihood of success on appeal
The VA records missed exams in your decision letter under the evidence section.
Impact on Refund Eligibility
Per the VetClaims Terms of Service, missing a C&P exam typically makes a refund ineligible because:
- Missing an exam removes critical evidence
- The denial is based on non-attendance, not documentation quality
- No advocate can overcome a lack of examiner input
To maintain eligibility, you must attend all exams unless you reschedule through the VA with proper notice.
If You Need to Reschedule Your Compensation & Pension Exam
You can contact:
- VES
- LHI
- QTC
Rescheduling is often possible if done promptly.