Before the Exam Review your medical records and know your diagnosis, diagnostic code, and current treatment plan Write a detailed personal statement describing how your condition affects your daily life, work, and relationships Note your worst days — the VA rates based on your overall impairment, not your best day List all medications you take for this condition and their side effects Prepare a timeline of your condition from onset through current symptoms Schedule the exam for a day when your symptoms are typical — not your best day Note your range of motion on average and on flare-up days Document what activities are limited: bending, lifting, sitting, standing, walking Track flare-ups for 2 weeks: frequency, duration, severity, triggers
During the Exam Be honest — do not exaggerate or minimize your symptoms Describe your worst days, not just how you feel right now If something hurts during a range-of-motion test, say so Mention all functional limitations: sleep, work, chores, driving, social activities Report flare-ups: how often, how long, how severe, and what triggers them Do not say "I'm fine" out of habit — describe your actual condition The examiner will measure range of motion (forward flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) Report pain at each point of motion — where it starts, not just where it stops Mention if pain, weakness, or fatigue increase with repetitive motion Describe radiculopathy symptoms: numbness, tingling, or shooting pain in legs Report functional limitations during flare-ups (e.g., "During flare-ups I cannot bend past 15 degrees") Mention incapacitating episodes: days you were essentially bedridden due to back pain