# C&P exam preparation checklist

> Prepare for a VA claim exam with an appointment checklist, accurate symptom notes, and official guidance on submitting records before the exam.

Source: https://aivaclaims.com/guides/c-and-p-exam-preparation

Updated September 13, 2026 · By AIVA

Confirm your appointment, submit new non-VA medical records before the exam, and prepare to describe your actual symptoms and daily limitations accurately. A C&P exam gathers claim evidence; it is not a treatment visit or a promise of a rating.

## [Confirm the practical details](#confirm-the-practical-details)

Check the appointment letter for the location, time, and scheduling contact. Confirm the appointment and request transportation help or accommodations when you need them. If you need to reschedule, VA says to tell the medical center or contractor at least 48 hours in advance; contractor rescheduling has additional limits.

Plan your route or video connection ahead of time. VA advises arriving 15 minutes early and wearing clothing that lets you move comfortably. Follow any specific instructions in your appointment letter.

[VA: Claim exam (C&P exam)](https://www.va.gov/resources/va-claim-exam/)

## [Submit records before the appointment](#submit-records-before-the-appointment)

VA advises submitting new non-VA medical records before your appointment. Bringing records to the examiner does not place them in the claim file: the provider may read them but cannot submit them for you.

Keep a copy and a receipt for what you submit. You can make a short personal note of treatment dates, symptom patterns, and concrete examples of daily difficulties. Use it to remember your experience accurately; do not copy another veteran’s symptoms or rehearse claims that are not true for you.

[VA: Claim exam (C&P exam)](https://www.va.gov/resources/va-claim-exam/)

## [Understand the exam and what follows](#understand-the-exam-and-what-follows)

The examiner may ask questions, examine you, or request tests. The exam is for gathering evidence, so the provider does not prescribe treatment or decide your claim. Ask the examiner if you do not understand a question or what a requested movement involves.

Afterward, the examiner sends a report to VA. VA considers it with the rest of your evidence. If something concerning happened, write a factual account while you remember it and use VA’s listed feedback channels. You can request the final exam report using VA’s Privacy Act or FOIA request process.

[VA: Claim exam (C&P exam)](https://www.va.gov/resources/va-claim-exam/)

## Your next-step checklist

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- Confirm the exam time, location, and scheduling contact.
- Request any transportation assistance or accommodations.
- Submit new non-VA records through the appropriate official channel.
- Prepare accurate notes about symptoms, treatment, and daily limitations.
- Plan to arrive early and follow the appointment instructions.
- After the exam, save a factual note of any concern you need to report.

## Related help

- [Evidence checklist](https://aivaclaims.com/guides/va-claim-evidence-checklist)
- [Help organizing medical records](https://aivaclaims.com/services/medical-records)
- [After the exam: claim status](https://aivaclaims.com/guides/va-claim-status)

## Need help organizing your claim?

AIVA helps prepare draft documents for you to review and submit. [See what claim preparation includes.](https://aivaclaims.com/services/disability-claims)

[Start preparing with AIVA](https://aivaclaims.com/sign-up)

These educational guides summarize the linked VA sources and suggest ways to organize your records. They are not an individual legal or medical assessment. For representation or help choosing a review route, [find VA-accredited assistance](https://www.va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/). Check the current VA instructions and your own decision letter before filing.