--- title: "Part IV, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section B Scheduling Examinations" document: "M-21-1" section: "Part IV, Subpart i, Chapter 2, Section B" canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-regulations/m21-1/iv.i.2.b-scheduling-examinations" source: "https://www.knowva.ebenefits.va.gov/system/templates/selfservice/va_ssnew/help/customer/locale/en-US/portal/554400000001018/content/554400000180501/M21-1-Part-IV-Subpart-i-Chapter-2-Section-B-Scheduling-Examinations" updated: "2026-09-08T14:36:55.952897Z" --- April 10, 2020 ### IV.i.2.B.1.a. General Information on Scheduling Examinations “Scheduling examinations” refers to the process by which the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and either a Veterans Health Administration examining facility or a contract examiner work together to set up a particular examination. VBA will request the examination, which may involve notation of information pertinent to the time and place of the examination. However, the examining facility will actually * set up the examination, and * advise the claimant of the time and place of the scheduled appointment. **References:** For more information on * examination requests, see [M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A]() * scheduling problems and rescheduling examinations, see [M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.F](). ### IV.i.2.B.1.b. Examinations for VA-Employee Claimants In any case where an examination is needed and the claims folder contains _VA Form 20-0344_ ,_Annual Certification of Veteran Status and Veteran Relatives,_ or there is a _VA Employee_ flash associated with the record, refer to the table below for appropriate action.| If examination by a contract facility is …| Then clearly note on the examination request that the Veteran is an employee, and schedule the examination at the nearest ... available| contract facility that **_does not_** employ the Veteran. not available| Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility that **_does not_** employ the Veteran. **Important:** Make every attempt to avoid a conflict of interest when scheduling the examinations of VA employees. If the need for an exception arises, follow the guidance in M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.B.1.c. **Reference:** For more information on handling claims from employees and their relatives, see [M21-1, Part II, Subpart i, 2.D.5](). ### IV.i.2.B.1.c. Exceptions for Employees Who Work at an Examining Facility If an employee works at an examining facility and requires an examination in connection with a pending claim, request the examination from a different facility, as described in M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.B.1.b, **_unless_** the Veterans Service Center Manager (VSCM) determines an examination at the employing facility will not affect its integrity.When a VSCM chooses to allow an examination of an employee at the employing facility, the VSCM must * prepare a signed memorandum explaining the reason(s) for allowing the examination, and * file the memorandum in the claims folder. **Important:** An examining facility will reject an examination request if, while processing the request, * it recognizes the Veteran as an employee of the facility, and * there is no indication in the claims folder (if provided) or the request that the VSCM has * acknowledged the employee-employer relationship, and * approved examination of the employee at the facility. ### IV.i.2.B.1.d. Scheduling Examinations for Conditions Subject to Temporary or Episodic Improvement Schedule the examination of disabilities subject to temporary or episodic improvement, such as skin conditions and other disabilities listed in [38 CFR 3.344](), when the conditions are most likely to show representative or claimed symptoms.If there is specific competent information that a disability is worse at predictable times, schedule the examination based on that information.**Examples:** * If a Veteran’s symptoms become worse after work, the examining facility should be asked to examine the Veteran at the end of the day. * If a disability is subject to periodic flare-ups, and the record does not contain specific competent information on when a flare-up can be observed, the Veteran can provide the information about the peak periods of the disability and contact the regional office when the condition worsens. (**Note:** If the Veteran received treatment for the worsened condition, ask the Veteran to submit evidence of the treatment.) **Important:** Under the Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) Process, examiners may be able to complete a fully adequate disability benefits questionnaire capturing representative or claimed symptoms, to include periods of exacerbation and improvement, based on review of existing evidence and/or an interview in lieu of an in-person clinical examination or testing. **References:** For more information on * submitting evidence of a worsened condition, see * [ _Bowers v. Derwinski_](), 2 Vet. App. 675 (1992), and * [ _Ardison v. Brown_](), 6 Vet. App. 405 (1994), and * ACE examinations, see [M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A.4](). ### IV.i.2.B.1.e. Scheduling Specialist Examinations VA examination providers schedule specialist examinations only when requested to do so.**Reference:** For more information on specialist examinations, see [M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A.6]().