Had a C&P exam today for IBS and migraines secondary to PTSD and the whole thing was kinda weird.
I’m currently 70% for PTSD and had previously been denied for IBS and migraines because the VA couldn’t establish a baseline, even though they acknowledged both were aggravated by my PTSD. Submitted some older medical records and got scheduled for another exam.
Anyway, the examiner was an older guy and at some point he started going on about how the regional offices make all the decisions and how veterans need to be careful filing claims because they can end up getting their ratings reduced.
He was saying the VA has like a trillion-dollar compensation budget, they’re changing rules, and veterans are getting reduced all the time. He also claimed the regional office specifically wants him warning veterans about this stuff.
At one point he straight up asked me, “Are you sure you want to file this?”
He also told me the VA would be calling my employer to verify my call-outs and telework days because of my IBS and migraines.
The actual exam was pretty quick, less than 30 minutes. He asked when everything started, how often I have symptoms, and a little about my PTSD, but we also spent a good chunk of time talking about random stuff and sleep apnea.
I get that ratings can be reduced and that the examiner doesn’t make the final decision, but the whole conversation just felt weird. Almost like he was trying to talk me out of pursuing my claims.
I’m not even asking for a PTSD increase, just trying to get my secondary conditions connected.
Anyone else experienced something like this? Is this actually something examiners are being told to say, or was this guy just giving me his personal opinions?
Not gonna lie, I left feeling pretty uneasy about the whole thing.

I posted separately about a claim I submitted on September 29th related to my chronic kidney disease. Now, 16 days later, and two C&P exams (one over the phone and one in person), my claim was finalized today and the increase I submitted was approved. Never expected it to go through so quickly. Kudos to whatever process they used this time.

How can I find when my intent to file was, I believe it was in February but am not for sure- I do see on my notice the date that I did submit, which was like August 2nd. I’m trying to calculate my back pay. The back pay will be deposited any day now correct?

Also, you can see that the date is effective January 9, 2026. I’m now rated 90%. Will I not start receiving the full amount until then?

I'm on my 3rd supplemental for my lower back. While submitting my claim, I realized sciatica was its own thing that can be filed for. On 9/10, I submitted my back supplemental and new sciatica claim.

I was quickly scheduled for an appointment. I didn't know if it was for my back, sciatica, or both. It was the strangest appointment and I walked out disappointed thinking I'm going to be denied again. She wasn't typing what I was saying and she wanted to talk about my weight. The lady was even suggesting I file for something I clearly said wasn't service related, which I'm not going to do.

The next day I get another appointment notification at another site. Again, I wasn't sure which claim it was for. I walked out of that appointment which was 2 days ago feeling very confident. I felt like the gentlemen was helping frame the narrative of the claim to give me my best chance. When I over analyzed, he helped find clarity. When I minimized, he asked probing questions.

Today, 10/15, I got an approval for the sciatica claim, which would be caused by my back injury, yet my back injury has been denied twice.

I think the first appointment 2 weeks ago was for my sciatica. In record time, I have an acceptance. Hopefully this is good news for my back claim since they both used the same submitted evidence and the guy seemed to be helping me out while the lady seemed to hardly care.

I really just need a second pair of eyes to look at my decision letter for my higher level of review. It looks like they’re describing a higher rating than I was given. What should I do at this point? I don’t really want to do a board appeal with how long it takes. Do I say screw the back pay and ask for an increase? Do another supplemental?

I just had a MH C&P. i was claiming general anxiety. the way my nexus is written i was figureing 30%. The examiner said that anxiety is at the core of PTSD and started asking very targeted questions with leading answers. I asked ChatGPT and that is thinking the PTSD rating could be closer to 50-70%. anyone ever expierence something liek that? THe rater wanted me to get more. Several times as he was typing he commented to himself that he knows the correct answer for this one.

I am currently about to submit a claim for four different issues. My question for you all is should I write a one page personal statement talking about how all four issues impact my life or should I write a separate statement for EACH claim?

Raters out there, do you read all of the personal statements and do they carry weight?

My EAS is January 9, 2027. I submitted my BDD claim in mid-August and completed all scheduled C&P exams in late September.
I recently checked the VA app and saw a request for proof of service, with a response due November 7. I’m assuming they mean my DD-214, but my terminal leave doesn’t start until November 13, so that’s the earliest I expect to have it.
I’m planning to call the VA to clarify what they need and explain the timeline. Has anyone else had a proof-of-service request come in before separating? What did you submit?

To start off, my claim was for Depression w/Anxiety and the C&P exam was done third party over zoom.

The examiner was older former military, seemed very kind, and far too understanding.

When we started, they said it would take about an hour. Childhood questions went quick.

Once we moved on to symptoms and functional loss, they seemed to be less of an auditor, and more of a guide than anything else.

By the end of the time, they asked if I would be surprised if they said I had PTSD and not just the MDD and Anxiety I claimed. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience given the emotions involved.

My question is: is this typically good or bad? I've read so many horror stories about a C&P exam seemingly going good, just to find out the examiner downplayed or didn't service connect. Should I be worried?

Thanks in advance

I just realized that I forgot to sign and date my 21-4138, Statement In Support Of Claim. Is that going to cause a serious problem? Its a fairly straightforward secondary claim.

I just finished my exam for my Bdd claim. And it only lasted for 15 minutes? Its that normal???? She did measure my ROM but did not ask much questions. She didn’t even asked about my migraines but I have a TBI exam later on. I feel like the exam I did too short and may affect my claims.

My COLA increase has not applied yet! 😔

I’m totally joking 😂

I've been overpaid by 10k over the last 5 years. I just reported the problem, so it might take a couple of months for them to catch up. I can show financial hardship. Will the VA allow me to take over 3 years to repay? I'm hoping for a much longer time. Any tips or suggestions on how to handle this?

Ive been reading and learning here. I appreciate this community. My question is ...what does left and right lower extremities include ? Seems kind of vague. What all does it include?

Just finished my C&P physical exam. During the rotation of movement parts, the doctor physically forced my limbs and joints, forcing me into excruciating pain. I don’t know if this is normal or not, but I’ve never heard of that happening to someone. An example would be I was laying on my back and he was checking my knees and took my shin and pushed it as far as he could all the way to my ass, causing a bunch of pain, crackling and popping in my knees. Once he would slowly close my joints, he would then take the protractor and measure that. I’ve left the office shaking in pain and sweating profusely. This is for a BDD CLAIM

VES has scheduled the same doctor for my C&P exam (record review) as they did for a different claim earlier this year.

I understand there is probably only so many that they employ for this type of work but my last claim was denied when I had a C&P exam with this doctor.

Should I bring this up? Feels off going with a doc who already was apart of a denial previously.

Last month I went in to tge ER for the worst stomach ache in my life, came out of the hospital a week later three feet short on intestines from getting a tumor removed.

I learned cancer is covered under the PACT Act and the information I found said cancer could be filed as an expedited claim. When I went to file, it was not listed as eligible, only terminal illnesses. My cancer isnt terminal so I havent filed the form.

Did I find old information online about it being eligible?

Hi. I have an informal conference tomorrow related to an increase I filed back in March. VA PCP sent me for a CT due to sinus/ear infections and polyps were found. I later went to an ENT who confirmed the polyps with a nasal endoscopy. The claim was closed and 0% for rhinitis was continued due to “no polyps present”. I submitted the HLR next day.

A week later I had surgery. The VA requested records from the ENT after the surgery and has access to the post-op report. That report states polyps were removed. I plan to stick to evidence submitted before the decision, since no new evidence is allowed?

Will the VA look at the new evidence through the HLR, or would that be considered if a DTA is found and a supplemental claim opened?

Any vets get a med opinion from a physician who’d doesn’t specialize in hearing? Just curious how the VA views this. Thx

Hey everyone.

I got great news today, with two of my claims finally being approved. However, I believe the effective date is incorrect?

One of the claims (MH) was a HLR turned supplemental and granted with an effective date on 10/29/2025, when I have an intent to file.

The other one (scaring) was a brand new claim submitted a few weeks ago, with an effective date of September 28th 2026.

Shouldn’t the scaring be back dated to my intent to file from October of last year?

Can someone explain to me why my retroactive pay is so low and why it says it’s completed and they paid me but I don’t see it in my account so I went from 60% to 70% and it says effective date aug 11 and then it says payment start date September 1st and it says retroactive pay deposited October 14 but it’s only 373.43 and I don’t see it in my navy federal account

Crossing my fingers for 30%, but looks like it might be tight ...