I had a C&P exam yesterday for migraines. I had one today for Mental health. Both with QTC, both secondary to tinnitus.

The migraine C&P, the examiner asked how often I have headaches, what causes them, whether I take medication, what happens/what do I do when I have them, and whether they impact work. I answered all of those questions honestly, and referred her to supporting information in my claim. I told her I think my migraines result from poor sleep. I initially forgot to tell her that the poor sleep came from my tinnitus. After I clarified, she seemed like my claim was open and shut. She didn’t seem like she was out to rebut my claim or anything like that. She even made what I interpreted to be compassionate facial expressions.

The MH exam was with a psychiatrist who served in the Air Force after med school. He went through the VA claims process as a veteran. He also worked at the VA before going on to work for QTC. He seemed genuinely interested in helping me get rated. He encouraged me to get with a VSO for anything I might suspect I could get rated, even with thin evidence. He walked me through the DBQ and explained his answers sand rationale. He kept prompting me for key statements, (e.g. Did you ever have anything stressful happen while in service? Have you ever had thoughts of harming yourself?) I assumed because they would help with my rating.

So after initial anxiety about these C&P exams, I’m cautiously optimistic about my migraines and MH claims. And I’m grateful to everyone in this sub because I felt well prepared walking in to both exams.