A C&P examination may include sensitive physical examinations. VHA and DMA policies apply for chaperones during sensitive physical examinations and the claimant's preference for the gender of the examiner.

VHA Handbook 1101.10(1), Patient-Aligned Care Team (PACT), specifies that regardless of the gender of the clinician providing services to women, a female chaperone must be in the examination room during gender-specific physical examinations, procedures (including imaging), or treatments involving the breast, genitalia, and rectum.

This is also the case for C&P examinations. A chaperone should be present during sensitive examinations of Veterans or Servicemembers involving breasts, genitalia, and rectum. The DMA C&P Disability Examinations Procedure Manual (Chapter 4, item 3.b.vi) instructs the examiner to inform the male or female claimant before performing a sensitive examination and offer a chaperone. If the claimant refuses a chaperone, the examiner must document the refusal on the appropriate documentation protocol.

In addition, all claimants may request a particular gender of provider to conduct a C&P examination. The DMA Procedure Manual (Chapter 4, item 3.b.iv) states that a claimant's request for a particular gender of examiner must be honored. In a similar fashion, when an examination request involves sensitive claims such as military sexual trauma, the claimant must be asked if there is a preference of gender for the examiner.