Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Hip Pain C&P Exam.
Leah explains the process of a compensation and pension (C&P) exam for hip pain. She highlights how hip pain can be service-connected either as a primary condition (like an injury during active duty) or secondarily (due to other service-related conditions). When filing a claim for VA disability, veterans can do it alone or with legal assistance and will receive a packet detailing the exam specifics. The key component of the exam is the Disability Benefit Questionnaire (DBQ), which assesses the veteran’s hip condition, including diagnosis, onset, flare-ups, functional loss, and range of motion. Leah emphasizes the importance of understanding the DBQ and range of motion measurements, suggesting veterans view it before the exam to reduce anxiety and better prepare.