About this episode
Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses What to Expect in a Shoulder Pain Exam. Leah explains the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam process for veterans with shoulder conditions. She outlines that the exam focuses on the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), which the examiner uses to assess the condition with VA regulations and other evidence to determine service connection and disability rating. Leah emphasizes the possibility of primary service connection (injury during duty) and secondary service connection (shoulder pain caused by another service-connected disability). She also discusses what happens during the exam, including the examiner's credentials (which may vary but must be a medically trained professional), the importance of accurately describing symptoms and history, and the thorough physical examination of the shoulder.