VA says you do not need to bring anything to a C&P exam. If you have new non-VA medical records, submit them before the appointment through an authorized channel. An examiner may review records you bring, but cannot submit them to VA for you.

That answer separates two jobs: attending the appointment and adding evidence to the claim file.

Follow the appointment notice

Bring any item the VA medical center or contractor specifically requests. Keep the appointment letter or electronic details, location or telehealth link, and contact number available. VA may ask for personal information or identification when confirming the appointment.

If you need an accommodation, transportation help, or a male or female provider for an eligible sensitive examination, discuss it when confirming. See the current VA claim-exam guide.

Handle new records before the exam

VA lists these routes for submitting new non-VA medical records:

  • upload through the VA claim status tool;
  • submit through an accredited representative or VSO;
  • mail them to the appropriate VA regional office.

Use the current VA instructions for the claim and keep proof available to you. Do not assume the C&P provider can add a paper to the claims file.

Practical items that may help you attend

These are not evidence requirements:

  • glasses or hearing aids you normally use;
  • mobility devices or braces you normally use;
  • medication or health items needed during travel;
  • a short private reminder of dates or examples you want to recall;
  • water and travel essentials, when allowed by the facility;
  • telehealth device, charger, connection, and a private space for remote exams.

Follow facility rules and the appointment notice. Do not rely on a note sheet as a speech.

Wear clothing that fits the examination

VA advises comfortable clothes so you can move freely. Choose clothing that allows the relevant area to be examined while respecting your needs. Do not stop normal use of a brace, cane, or other aid merely to create a different appearance for the appointment.

What not to carry as a substitute for submission

A binder may help you stay organized, but it is not proof that VA received the evidence. A phone photo of a record may be hard to review and still may not be part of the claim file. A list of diagnoses is not the same as the underlying medical evidence.

If a new record matters, submit it through the proper channel and identify the date and provider clearly.

A five-minute exit check

Before leaving home or joining telehealth, confirm:

  1. Correct date, time, and location or link.
  2. Contact number if travel or connection fails.
  3. Requested identification or appointment material.
  4. Usual assistive devices and needed personal items.
  5. New evidence submitted through the correct channel, not merely placed in your bag.

Claim Raven's C&P Exam Prep offers condition-specific topics, preparation prompts, and a day-of checklist. It requires a free account, and Standard includes paid features. It does not schedule the exam, upload evidence to VA, or know the examiner's exact questions.

For the broader process, read how to prepare for a C&P exam.

If you still need examples for your notes, read how to describe functional impact.

Sources and scope

Reviewed September 20, 2026: VA claim exam guide; 38 C.F.R. § 3.655; Claim Raven C&P Exam Prep product page. The appointment notice and current VA instructions control.