Yes, in almost all cases you should still attend the C&P exam even if you already received a rating increase. There are a few common reasons this situation happens. First, the increase you received may have come from a different claim or issue than the one the scheduled exam is for. The VA often has multiple claims or evidence reviews moving through the system at different speeds, so an increase on one condition does not necessarily mean every pending issue has been resolved. Second, sometimes a rating increase is issued based on evidence already in the file (such as private medical records or a Disability Benefits Questionnaire submitted by your own provider), while the C&P exam was already in the scheduling pipeline before that decision was made. In that case, the exam may simply not have been cancelled in time, even though the rater already had enough information to decide the claim.
It is also possible that the increase was a partial or interim decision, and the C&P exam is meant to gather additional information for a further increase, a related secondary condition, or a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) if that was part of the original claim. Regional offices do not always synchronize scheduling with rating decisions, so overlap between a decision letter and an exam notice is not unusual.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →Missing a scheduled C&P exam without a valid reason can result in denial of the claim it was scheduled for, under 38 CFR 3.655, so it is important not to assume the exam is unnecessary just because you received a decision. If you believe the exam is for the same issue that was already decided, you can call the VA (1-800-827-1000) or check your claim status on VA.gov or through eBenefits to confirm what specific issue the exam is tied to before deciding whether to attend or request rescheduling.
If you disagree with the increase you received, whether because the effective date is wrong, the percentage seems too low, or another condition was not addressed, you may need to file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) with new evidence, or a Higher-Level Review (VA Form 20-0996) if you believe the existing evidence was misapplied.
The concrete next step is to check the reason code and diagnostic code tied to the scheduled exam in your claim status, or call the VA directly, to confirm whether it relates to the same issue you already received an increase on before deciding whether to attend.
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