A C&P examiner is required to determine if each condition being evaluated or diagnosed impacts the Veteran’s or Servicemember's ability to work. This information is recorded in every documentation protocol in the “functional impact” section. Frequently, Veterans or Servicemembers examined are not employed, yet evaluated conditions impact their day-to-day life. This information can also be documented.

Two widely used terms often found in treatment records, basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), can be used to describe nonwork-related impact. The impact does not have to be permanent or continuous to affect functioning and does not have to require total assistance with a particular task.

Functional Status Checklist