After a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination is completed, the rating activity at the VA regional office reviews the exam report along with the rest of the claims file before making a decision. Sometimes that reviewer determines the report is incomplete, internally inconsistent, or does not adequately address the medical questions needed to rate the claim. When that happens, the VA can request what is often called an addendum opinion, a supplemental opinion, or a second C&P exam from a different examiner. This is a normal quality-control step under 38 CFR 3.159, which requires VA to obtain a medical opinion that is adequate for rating purposes. If the first opinion does not meet that standard, VA is obligated to get a better one rather than rate the claim on insufficient evidence.
There are several reasons this can happen that are not inherently good or bad for the outcome. The original examiner may not have addressed direct service connection, aggravation, or secondary connection as instructed. The report may lack a clear rationale, which is required under Nieves-Rodriguez v. Peake and related case law establishing that a medical opinion must be supported by sufficient detail and reasoning to be given probative weight. Sometimes VA simply routes certain mental health cases, especially PTSD stressor-dependent claims or cases involving conflicting diagnoses, for additional review as a matter of internal practice. None of this automatically signals a denial or an approval is coming; it means VA is still gathering evidence before deciding.
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 →For the veteran, the practical effect is mainly a delay while the second opinion is obtained, reviewed, and associated with the file. It does not reopen the claim or require you to submit new paperwork unless VA specifically asks for additional records or another exam attendance. You will usually see this noted in your claim status as a change in exam status or an evidence-gathering phase rather than a rating decision step.
If you want more clarity on your own case, call the VA at 800-827-1000 or check your status on VA.gov to confirm what step your claim is currently in, and ask whether any additional information or exam attendance is needed from you while the second opinion is pending.
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