If you’re a veteran filing a VA disability claim for PTSD, one of the key steps is undergoing a C&P exam with a VA psychologist or psychiatrist. The PTSD C&P exam is critical for determining if you’ll receive VA disability compensation and benefits.
With so much riding on this exam, it’s normal to feel anxious or stressed about how to prepare and perform well. Follow these ultimate tips to ace your PTSD C&P exam:
Tip #1: Thoroughly Review Your Medical Records
One of the best things you can do to prepare for a PTSD C&P exam is carefully review your VA medical records and service treatment records. Get copies of these important documents so you can take time to read through them closely.
Familiarize yourself with your PTSD diagnosis, the symptoms you’ve exhibited over time, the treatments you’ve undergone, hospitalization history, etc. Refreshing your memory by reviewing your medical records helps you recall important details to emphasize at the exam.
You’ll also identify any gaps, inconsistencies, or issues to clarify. Knowing your medical history inside and out is key to acing the PTSD C&P exam.
Tip #2: Be Honest and Detailed When Describing Your Symptoms
A VA disability rating for PTSD hinges on you providing specific, real-world examples of your worst and most frequent PTSD symptoms. The examiner needs explicit details to properly evaluate your PTSD claim.
Be honest and forthcoming when describing issues like:
- Nightmares or flashbacks related to your PTSD trauma
- Anxiety, panic attacks, hypervigilance
- Irritability, anger outbursts
- Emotional numbness, lack of interest in activities
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Problems with concentration, memory, decision making
The more candid details you can provide about your PTSD symptoms, the clearer picture the examiner has to rate the severity of your condition for VA purposes.
Tip #3: Track Your PTSD Symptoms Leading Up to the Exam
It’s easy to forget or gloss over issues when put on the spot at a PTSD C&P exam. That’s why it’s highly recommended to track your PTSD symptoms for 2-3 weeks prior to the exam date.
Document details like:
- Types of PTSD symptoms experienced
- Severity of symptoms on a 1-10 scale
- Frequency of symptoms (daily, several times a week, etc.)
- Duration of symptoms (how long they last)
- Any triggers or patterns you notice
Keeping a daily journal of your PTSD symptoms provides concrete, recent examples you can provide at the exam versus trying to recall generalities. Bring your symptom journal along and use it to guide your discussion.
Tip #4: Practice Relaxation Techniques Before the Exam
It’s completely normal to feel anxious or stressed about an exam that will impact your PTSD disability rating. However, you want to try to stay as calm and relaxed as possible since it leads to better performance.
Use deep breathing techniques, meditation, mindfulness, or other relaxation skills leading up to the PTSD C&P exam. This will help get those pre-exam jitters under control so you can think clearly and articulate your situation.
Just 5-10 minutes of relaxation techniques right before the exam can make a big difference in staying cool under pressure. Use whatever healthy coping strategies work best to calm your nerves.
Tip #5: Be Cooperative and Pleasant with the Examiner
It’s understandable to feel defensive or upset if an examiner asks challenging questions about your trauma history or PTSD symptoms. However, it’s vital to set a polite, positive tone from the outset and maintain it throughout the C&P exam.
Being confrontational, angry, or rude only hurts your credibility and chances of getting approved. Take a cooperative approach, even if questions feel intrusive or upsetting. You want to position yourself as engaged, sincere and pleasant.
While you must be truthful about your PTSD struggles, you can do so without losing your cool. Stay focused on presenting your best self and highlighting your condition, not any personality conflicts.
In Conclusion
Preparing for and performing well at your VA PTSD C&P exam is crucial to getting the disability rating and benefits you deserve. Thoroughly reviewing your records, tracking recent symptoms, relaxing your nerves, and staying engaged sets you up for success.
Keep these PTSD C&P exam tips in mind as you approach this important milestone. With the right preparation and focus, you can ace this exam and get approved for the PTSD disability pay and support you’ve earned. Stay confident and good luck!