Adapted from Chapter 20 of Maximize Your VA Disability Rating. General education, not legal advice.
1. "I'm fine"
Years of answering "good, sergeant" do not switch off in an exam room. When the examiner asks how your back is and you say "I manage," that is what goes on the form. The examiner cannot rate pain you did not describe. The fix: answer the way the people who live with you would. Ask your spouse before the exam what you stop doing when it flares.
2. The good-day performance
Feeling decent, you push through range-of-motion testing like a PT test, and the report shows full motion with no pain. Where pain starts matters, and so do flare-ups. The fix: say "there" the moment pain begins, not when you physically can't go further. If today is a good day, say so, and describe your bad days and how often they happen.
3. Leaving out flare-ups and work impact
The exam form has specific fields for flare-ups and for how the condition affects work and daily life. If you don't bring them up, they can be marked "not reported." The fix: walk in with a short list: your flare-ups, your work-arounds, your worst days, what you have given up. Raise anything that didn't come up before you leave.
4. Inconsistency with your records
You told your doctor the migraines started "a few years ago," your statement says "since my 2019 deployment," and you tell the examiner "about ten years." Three honest guesses, one credibility problem. The fix: reread your statements and symptom log the night before so your dates and frequencies match your paperwork.
5. Exaggeration
This is the one mistake a follow-up statement can't fix. Examiners are trained to spot claiming every symptom at maximum severity, textbook language, a presentation that doesn't match the story, and failed validity testing. Once a report says "symptom exaggeration," your whole file is read with suspicion. The fix: tell the truth, completely. It is the right thing to do and the winning strategy.
6. Fighting the examiner
Some exams are rushed and some examiners are cold. Arguing in the room ends up in the report, and not in your favor. The fix: stay professional, answer fully, and write down exactly what was and wasn't examined as soon as you leave. A bad exam is challenged on paper afterward.
7. Logistics failures
- Never miss an exam. A no-show can end the claim.
- Confirm the address the day before; contract examiners use several offices.
- Arrive early with photo ID and your appointment letter.
- Arrange childcare and a ride in advance.
- Right afterward, write down what was examined and anything that felt incomplete.
The thread through all seven
Each mistake is a different way of failing to get the accurate, complete truth onto the form. The fix is the same every time: know your own case cold, and tell it straight.
Frequently asked questions
What should I say at a C&P exam?
Describe your real daily life, including your worst days, flare-ups and how the condition affects work, and keep your dates consistent with your records. Do not minimize and do not exaggerate.
What happens if I miss a C&P exam?
Missing a scheduled exam can lead VA to decide the claim on the evidence it has or deny it. Confirm the time and location in advance and reschedule before the date if you truly cannot attend.
Can I challenge a bad C&P exam?
Yes. Get a copy of the exam report, note specific errors or gaps, and submit evidence or request review through the VA process rather than arguing with the examiner.
This article is provided for general educational purposes and is not legal advice, financial advice, or a guarantee of eligibility, approval, rating, or payment amount. Rules can change. Verify current requirements with your military department, DFAS, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Standfast Veterans Group is not affiliated with the VA or DoD.