When filing a VA disability claim, many veterans expect to attend a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam as part of the process. However, in some cases, VA may decide that a C&P exam is no longer necessary, speeding up your claim processing time. But what does this mean for your claim? How does it affect your benefits?
In this article, we’ll explain when the VA exam request processing is no longer needed, the reasons behind this decision, and what you can expect moving forward.
“We Closed the Notice for Exam Request” Note on VA Claims
“We closed the notice for exam request” is an internal note from the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). It usually means one of a few different things.
- You are requested to attend a C&P exam in the future and will be contacted to schedule
- A previous C&P exam was cancelled
- The results of a previous C&P were reviewed and there is no further action needed
You don’t need to do anything about this note. If VA needs something from you, they will notify you by mail or through your accredited representative.
Why is a VA Exam Requested?
Typically, VA requires a C&P exam to gather additional medical evidence about your disability. This exam helps determine the severity of your condition, its connection to your military service, and the appropriate disability rating.
However, there are circumstances where the VA exam request processing becomes unnecessary:
- Sufficient evidence in your file: If your medical records, service records, or private medical opinions already provide enough evidence to rate your claim, VA might not require a C&P exam.
- Ongoing treatments and diagnosis: If VA has received ongoing treatment records or detailed medical evaluations from your private doctors, they may decide the exam request processing is no longer needed.
When a VA Exam Request is No Longer Needed
VA sometimes determines that a general medical examination is unnecessary. This can occur if the claim is for compensation many years after the veteran’s separation from service, especially if substantial evidence exists.
Exceptions do apply. For instance:
- Claims for Individual Unemployability (IU)
- Claims related to Gulf War service under 38 CFR 3.317
- Pension claims filed more than a year after service separation
For these exceptions, a general medical examination may still be appropriate. In such cases, VA may request a specialized Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) rather than a general medical exam.
Common Situations Where the VA Exam is Skipped
- Fully Developed Claim (FDC): If you submit a fully developed claim with all the required evidence, including medical opinions and records, VA may not need a C&P exam to decide.
- Clear Service Connection: For conditions like presumptive illnesses (e.g., Agent Orange exposure or Gulf War Syndrome), where VA assumes the connection between your military service and your condition, an exam may not be required.
- Already Service-Connected Disabilities: If your claim relates to an increase in the rating of an already service-connected condition, and your recent medical records document worsening symptoms, VA may forego the C&P exam.
- Extensive Medical Records: If VA has extensive evidence from your current doctors detailing the nature and severity of your condition, they may decide the exam request processing is no longer needed.
Why This Matters for Veterans
Having the VA exam request processing marked as no longer needed means your claim could move more quickly through the system. Veterans waiting for decisions often find C&P exams to be one of the lengthiest steps in the process, as scheduling, attending, and reviewing the exam can add months to a claim. Without the need for this exam, you may receive a faster decision on your disability rating.
What to Do If You Disagree
If your claim is denied or you believe VA made a mistake, and the exam request was bypassed, it’s important to appeal. The absence of a C&P exam shouldn’t prevent you from receiving a fair evaluation, and you have the right to challenge the decision. You can submit a request for a higher-level review or appeal the decision with new evidence to strengthen your case.
Content Reviewed by
Attorney Matthew Hill
Attorney Matthew Hill, licensed in Florida and Washington D.C., a dedicated advocate for disabled veterans with over two decades of experience, reviewed the information in this post.
