How to Get Your C&P Exam Results
Why Request Your Results
After a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam, the examiner completes a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) with their findings and medical opinion, and sends it to the VA. You don't have to wait for your decision to see what it says — once the report is filed (usually within a few days of the exam), you can request a copy.
It's worth getting a copy if you:
- Think the exam was rushed, incomplete, or inaccurate
- Want to understand how the examiner measured or described your condition before your decision arrives
- Plan to file a supplemental claim or support your claim with a nexus letter, and need to know exactly what the exam recorded
The Fastest Way: VA Form 20-10206
The quickest route is VA Form 20-10206 — the Request Personal Records form (a Privacy Act request). You can submit it online on VA.gov instead of mailing the paper form. For your own records the request is generally free (the VA may charge a small per-page fee only for large photocopy jobs), and electronic delivery is the fastest option.
Have your VA file number or SSN ready when you file — a missing file number is the most common reason a request is delayed or returned.
Scope It to the C&P Report
In the request, ask specifically for your C&P examination reports — the DBQs, range-of-motion and measurement worksheets, and examiner opinions. Do not request your entire claims file (C-file): a full C-file request can take months, while a scoped C&P request usually comes back much faster.
You Usually Get All Past Exams
A C&P records request typically returns every C&P exam on file, not just your most recent one — so you don't need to list specific exam dates. This is helpful when an earlier exam is actually stronger evidence than a later one (for example, an earlier exam that recorded range-of-motion measurements to the point of pain).
Include Contract-Examiner Exams
Many C&P exams are performed by contractors — QTC, VES, or LHI/Optum — rather than at a VA facility. Ask for contract-examiner exams as well as VA facility exams so none are missed.
Other Places to Check
- VA.gov: your claim status and decision letters are often available to download without a formal records request.
- My HealtheVet: if the exam was done at a VA facility, the results may appear in your VA medical records. Exams done by a contractor (QTC/VES/LHI) will not show up here — those come through the records request above.
What to Do With the Report
Once you have the report, read it against your own experience of the exam. If it understates your condition, you can address it with new evidence — a supplemental claim, a personal statement, buddy statements, or a nexus letter that speaks directly to what the exam got wrong. Having the actual DBQ in hand means your response can cite specific findings instead of guessing at what the examiner wrote.
Disclaimer: Valor Rating is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always review your documents carefully before submitting to the VA. For official guidance, consult an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.