Psych C&P Exams are Unfair to Veterans

Abstract

Compensation and pension examinations (C&P exams) for psychological disorders are unfair to veterans because of high false negative and false positive rates. I review the evidence for this high inaccuracy rate, while noting that the Department of Veterans Affairs bears the burden of proof to demonstrate the reliability and validity of their psychological claim exams. I offer recommendations to correct this problem, with an emphasis on developing a rigorous quality improvement program based on examiner peer review.

Keywords: compensation and pension examinations, C&P exams, psychological, PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, veterans, mental disorders, claim exams, psych