Veteran and Military News: Week in Review June 18, 2025

You need to attend scheduled Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exams!

There is a chance you could lose your VA benefits if you don’t attend your C&P exam. You should make every possible effort to complete a scheduled exam. If you are unable to attend your C&P exam, you must inform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as soon as possible. You can do this by calling 1-800-827-1000.

If you refuse to attend a scheduled C&P exam the VBA can say you have abandoned your claim!

There are some things a Veteran can do to prevent unneeded exams that not only waste money but also put their benefits at risk, often times erroneously.

1. If you get a notice of a review C&P exam being scheduled, ask your representative if they can find out why the C&P review is required. If you have representation through a VSO, claims agent or VA attorney, they will be able to contact the VA and determine why the C&P is being ordered and, if necessary, gather evidence you may need to ensure that their rating is not reduced (unless it is truly warranted).
2. Make sure treatment is consistent for the level of severity of the service connected condition. For example, if you have a 70% rating for a mental health condition and are not seeing anyone for medication management or therapy, the VA is going to question if you are really disabled at that high of level. You can reduce the likelihood of this by attending treatment, even if you don’t participate, and having it noted in the records why you are refusing treatment and making sure your symptoms are being recorded on a regular basis.
3. Provide the VA with private treatment records when necessary. If you are seeing a private provider, the VA is not automatically going to request those records unless it is through the VA Community Care. You can request those private provider records be shared with the VA so the VA has a complete understanding of your condition and is less likely to request an unnecessary C&P exam. This can be done through your online VA access using https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/electronic-record-sharing
4. Ensure the VA has records of any emergency issues that arise related to your service connected conditions. For example, if you are on vacation or out of the area and present at an emergency room, make sure to ask the VA to obtain those records for your file so they are aware of the condition and have complete records.

Working with the VA as much as possible to ensure that your records contain the information needed to continue to support your rating level is the best way for a Veteran to reduce their chance of having a review C&P called as well as having their benefits reduced without warrant. This saves thousands of dollars per Veteran and helps Veterans retain their benefits at their current levels rather than risking reductions and having to fight to have their benefits reinstated. And…..the more money saved, the more Veterans can be served.