What evidence should I gather?
Find VA manual guidance on records requests, lay statements, and how evidence is reviewed.
Browse this topic →Browse by question
VA C&P exams and medical opinions
Browse VA guidance on examination requests, scheduling, missed exams, and incomplete reports.
Choose the point in the examination process you are trying to understand. Whether VA requests an examination and whether a completed report is sufficient are different questions, covered by different references.
Choose a starting point
- M21-1 IV.i.1.A
When an exam or medical opinion is considered
Start with VA's duty-to-assist examination guidance.
Official section: Duty to Assist With Providing a Medical Examination or Opinion
- M21-1 IV.i.2.B
Scheduling an examination
Find the procedures for arranging an examination.
Official section: Scheduling Examinations
- M21-1 IV.i.2.F
Missing or rescheduling an exam
Read the specific guidance on failure to report and rescheduling.
Official section: Failure to Report and Rescheduling Examinations
- M21-1 IV.i.3.A
What makes an examination report sufficient
Browse the general report-sufficiency criteria.
Official section: General Criteria for Sufficiency of Examination Reports
- M21-1 IV.i.3.C
Incomplete or insufficient examinations
Find the procedures that address insufficient examination reports.
Official section: Insufficient Examinations
This is a curated selection, not every rule that might apply. References awaiting source or editorial review are omitted.
Start with your question
You do not need to know a manual citation. Pick a topic to find a curated starting point.
How do C&P exams work?
Browse VA guidance on examination requests, scheduling, missed exams, and incomplete reports.
Browse this topic →How can a condition be connected to service?
Compare the manual references for direct, presumptive, and secondary service connection.
Browse this topic →Where do I start after a VA decision?
Find references on Supplemental Claims, Higher-Level Reviews, informal conferences, and duty-to-assist errors.
Browse this topic →Which references cover my family?
Browse VA manual guidance on dependency, relationship verification, award adjustments, and DIC.
Browse this topic →Where can I learn about my effective date?
Locate current and historical VA effective-date guidance and related award-adjustment references.
Browse this topic →