VA works to complete compensation & pension exams postponed due to the pandemic

In April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced VA to suspend in-person compensation & pension exams (C&P). Now, those Veterans whose C&P exams were put on hold are welcome to come back in for their appointments.

In July 2020, VA resumed in-person C&P exams at limited locations where it was safe to do so. As of today, VBA has authorized its vendors to schedule in-person exams in all 50 states and 33 locations outside of the continental United States.

VA has worked with health professionals and followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to ensure all exams follow strict protocols and procedures; the safety of Veterans and medical staff during these exams is our highest priority. All exam providers have robust safety measures in place to protect Veterans. From personal protective equipment and temperature checks to requiring masks and conducting COVID screening, providers are working hard to keep Veterans safe.

Exams and claims processing

Once scheduled, Veterans are highly encouraged to attend their C&P exams. Doing so allows their claims to move to the next step in the decision process, getting them closer to a decision. Claims with pending exams are placed on hold until an exam can be completed. Attending the C&P exam is an easy way that Veterans can ensure their claim moves closer to getting decided.

Tele exams

When in-person exams are not possible, some Veterans can still be seen through tele-C&P exams. In certain instances, Veterans can also have their disability claims reviewed using medical records already in their files through the Acceptable Clinical Evidence exam process.

For Veterans still not comfortable attending their C&P exams, VBA will not deny claims based on a lack of information, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, during the period of national emergency, VBA will not make any decision on a claim without an exam if the Veteran continues to have concerns about COVID-19 exposure. We will hold these exams and claims until the Veteran is ready to proceed with the claim process.

As we continue the fight against COVID-19, please know that the safety of Veterans is of utmost importance. If you have any questions regarding VA exam safety, you can find out more information here.

Veterans Benefits Administration

View Comments

  • I am very glad to hear the VBA is moving again, and I hope to see justice before I die. My oldest son died at 47 years old because he was conceived while I had been sent “ HOME AWAITING ORDERS “ in June 1971 after being treated in South Vietnam for a month due to a skin disease. Urticaria 2nd to Chloroquine Ingestion was a misdiagnosis, and it was a combination of a TROPICAL DISEASE (Malaria) and AGENT ORANGE INGESTION. I had NO Reaction to Chloroquine despite all the doses given. My medical treatment records were withheld from me from the time I returned from Vietnam until 2015, at which time I did receive my hospitalization records from Vietnam Service. I did receive medical treatment records from
    January 10, 1972 until my discharge on April 20, 1972. I should have been awarded a 100% medical discharge with full Direct Disability Pay and all medical benefits for my self and my dependents. Instead, I only received Service Connection in March 2015 and very little retropay despite contracting Atopic Dermatitis/Eczema in Vietnam, May 1971. I was unjustly deceived.

  • What good does it do to have a C& P Exam when you sit on the case for months after everything is complete. Maybe you should actually start making the people start working instead of paying to sit around and do nothing while we wait for you to actually start working again after over a year of getting paid to sit around and do nothing and get paid while wait, wait wait and wait some more.

  • Bureau of Records being shut down was the main reason for tragic delays ......7-8 months for VA to take possession of a medical record. So you should question your own ARTICLE.....WERE EXAMS CONDUCTED ON THE WEB SUBSTANDARD ??? WAS A THOROUGH EXAM NOT CONDUCTED ??????

  • Well I had my cp exam in Philadelphia, it was and and improper CPA exam, I was not checked for scar tissue, he just sit there reading doctor notes, anyway I feel my rights, was taken, they gave me 100% until april of next year, then, they are going drop my rate to 30%, I had a complete shoulder replacement February, I recieved this injury on active duty in 1984, it was called a third-degree shoulder separation, so now I am fighting to keep my 100%, because I have leukemia which I was diagnosed in 2007 the VA takes care of that I have been Dishonored on all of my CPA exams is not fair to the Troops people fought for this country to get hurt for this country now they don't want to give them what they deserve

  • We need our Health Care Providers to do the CPA exam, contracted doctors that do CPA exams is not fair to the soldier,if you don't check the Soldier or see how long he's been dealing with this issue they don't do none of that stuff. And then after that they make a decision that's not cool,I will be 62 years of age this month, can I live

  • VA C/P exams outside the VA are a joke, I had one and all they did was ask me what my prescription dose was, they also ask me why I was there? Isn't that kind of stupid.

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