What to Bring to a C&P Exam, and What to Submit Before You Go

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. An examiner may look at 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.

Submit new records before the exam

This is the one rule to plan around. VA lists three ways to submit new non-VA medical records, such as records from a recent surgery or illness:

• upload them through the VA claim status tool;
• submit them through your accredited representative or veterans service organization;
• mail them to your nearest VA regional office.

Keep proof of what you sent and when. A binder in your bag, a photo on your phone, or a printed list of diagnoses is not in the claim file until it goes through one of those routes.

What to bring to the appointment

None of these is an evidence requirement. They help the appointment go smoothly:

• the appointment letter or electronic details, and any identification the scheduler asked for;
• glasses, hearing aids, braces, or mobility devices you normally use;
• a current medication list with each drug's name, dose, how often you take it, and what it is for, so you can answer treatment questions without guessing;
• a short private note of dates or examples you want to remember;
• medication or health items you need during travel;
• water and travel essentials, where the facility allows them;
• for a telehealth exam, a charged device, a working connection, and a private room.

Use the note to remember, not to read a speech.

Ask for what you need when you confirm

When you confirm the appointment, you can request help with transportation or other accommodations. You can also ask for a male or female provider if you are having a reproductive health, breast, rectal, or mental health exam, or if your claim involves a condition resulting from military sexual trauma. For a sensitive physical exam, you can ask for a medical assistant or chaperone to stay in the room.

A caregiver or family member may be asked to wait outside the exam room; discuss it with the provider. Because sensitive topics may come up, VA suggests planning childcare. These points come from VA's claim exam page.

Wear clothing that fits the examination

VA advises comfortable clothes so you can move freely. Choose clothing that lets the examiner see or test the relevant area. Keep using a brace, cane, or other aid the way you normally do.

A five-minute exit check

Before leaving home or joining a telehealth exam, confirm:

1. The correct date, time, and location or link.
2. The contact number, in case travel or the connection fails.
3. Your identification and appointment details, if requested.
4. Your usual aids and your medication list.
5. Any new records already submitted through one of the routes above.

For the rest of your preparation, including how to reschedule and how to get the exam report afterward, see how to prepare for a C&P exam. To turn symptoms into specific examples, see how to describe functional impact.

Claim Raven's C&P Exam Prep includes a condition-specific day-of checklist; you can start with a free account, and the paid features come with Standard. It does not schedule exams or upload evidence to VA. Claim Raven sells the tool and has a commercial interest in it.

What to bring to a C&P exam: questions

Sources and scope

Checked September 23, 2026: VA claim exam page (last updated August 15, 2025), for the submission routes, arrival and clothing guidance, provider-gender requests, chaperones, and companions. The medication list and packing items are practical suggestions, not VA requirements. Your appointment notice controls.