VA C&P Exam Contractors: LHI vs VES vs QTC vs Optum — What Veterans Should Know (2026)

Why the VA Uses Private Contractors for C&P Exams

For most of the VA's history, C&P exams were conducted inside VA medical facilities by VA-employed clinicians. That model started breaking down under the weight of Vietnam-era veterans' claims in the 1980s and 1990s, and accelerated sharply after 9/11 as a new generation of combat veterans began filing claims in large numbers.

The backlog became a crisis. VA facilities simply didn't have the exam capacity to keep pace with incoming claims. Contracting with private exam companies allowed the VA to add capacity quickly, use community-based clinic networks, and reduce scheduling delays — at least in theory.

The PACT Act of 2022, which dramatically expanded VA disability eligibility for toxic-exposure veterans, triggered another surge. More veterans became eligible to file claims, and the demand for C&P exams rose accordingly. Contractors now handle the overwhelming majority of VA C&P exams nationwide — according to VA Claims Insider, as of summer 2024, roughly 93% of C&P exams are conducted by private contractors.

The practical consequence for you: you almost certainly won't be examined by a VA physician you've met before. You'll be seen by a clinician employed by or contracted through one of four companies, in a private exam clinic, for a one-time evaluation. That examiner's report will carry enormous weight in deciding your rating.

The Four Major C&P Exam Contractors in 2026

As confirmed by VA.gov and county Veterans Services Officers as of December 2025, the four active VA C&P exam contractors are:

• Veterans Evaluation Services (VES)
• OptumServe Health Services — also known as LHI (Logistics Health Incorporated)
• Leidos QTC Health Services (QTC)
• Loyal Source Government Services (LSGS)

Each operates nationwide through networks of independent clinicians and exam clinics. Each has its own scheduling systems, telehealth options, and operational procedures. The quality of your exam depends far more on the individual examiner than on which company employs them — but understanding the corporate structure helps you know who to contact, what to expect, and where to file concerns.

Loyal Source Government Services (LSGS)

Loyal Source Government Services is the newest major entrant among VA C&P contractors. The company received an Indefinite Delivery Contract from the VA's Strategic Acquisition Center Frederick under the Medical Disability Examination Office (MDEO) 2025 vehicle at the end of 2024, and has been actively conducting VA exams since 2025.

LSGS is based in Orlando, Florida, and has a background in government staffing and healthcare services across multiple federal programs. In the VA context, the company recruits and deploys licensed clinicians — physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — to conduct disability exams at clinic sites in various regions.

Because LSGS is the newest of the four contractors, veteran experience with them is more limited compared to QTC or VES, which have been in the VA space for years. Veterans assigned to LSGS have reported wide variation in experience, which is typical of any large contractor network still scaling up its examiner workforce and quality control processes.

OptumServe Health Services (Also Known as LHI)

OptumServe is the VA C&P contracting arm of Optum, which is itself the health services division of UnitedHealth Group — one of the largest health insurance companies in the United States. Veterans sometimes see this contractor listed as LHI or Logistics Health Incorporated on older appointment letters; the company rebranded as OptumServe, though the LHI name persists in many veterans' records and in common usage.

Optum's scale is massive. The company operates across government health programs — VA C&P exams are one piece of a much larger enterprise. OptumServe offers both in-person exams at its clinic network and telehealth appointments, which became more common following COVID-era adaptations.

For veterans, the corporate scale cuts both ways. Large networks mean broader geographic coverage and generally faster scheduling. But it also means individual exam quality can vary significantly depending on the specific clinician assigned, how thoroughly they review your claims file, and how much time they're allocated per appointment.

QTC Health Services (Leidos QTC)

QTC — formally Leidos QTC Health Services — is a subsidiary of Leidos, a major U.S. defense and government services contractor. QTC has been one of the longest-standing VA exam contractors and serves a broad range of government health programs beyond the VA, including Department of Defense fitness-for-duty evaluations and Department of Labor programs.

Per QTC's own published description, the company facilitates independent medical examinations using "licensed, board-certified physicians" engaged through independent medical practices. Their services span physical examinations, vision testing, occupational health, diagnostic testing, and medical record review — the full range of what a C&P exam may require.

QTC operates its own exam clinic network (Government/Military Clinics) in addition to telehealth options. Veterans assigned to QTC can access a dedicated VA Examinee Portal at vaexaminee.qtcm.com and reach customer service at 800-682-9701.

VES — Veterans Evaluation Services

Veterans Evaluation Services (VES) is one of the most frequently encountered contractors among veterans filing disability claims, and appears first on the VA's official list of contracted exam companies. VES conducts C&P exams across the country through a network of exam clinics and healthcare providers, offering both in-person and telehealth examination options.

The VES model, like QTC and OptumServe, involves scheduling veterans at clinic sites staffed by independent clinicians contracted through their network. The examiner you meet is conducting a one-time evaluation for compensation purposes — they are not your treating physician and will not be providing ongoing care.

Scheduling with VES is initiated by the VA, not the veteran. Once assigned, you'll receive appointment information from VES directly. If you need to reschedule, per VA policy you may do so once, and the new appointment must fall within 5 days of the original date. If that window doesn't work, you'll need to contact the VA directly at 800-827-1000.

How to Find Out Which Contractor You Got

You don't always know in advance which contractor will handle your exam. Here's how to find out:

1. Check the appointment letter. When the VA schedules your C&P exam, you'll receive a mailed letter — sometimes also a phone call or email — that identifies the contractor and provides a phone number and exam location. The contractor's name should appear clearly.
2. Log into VA.gov. Under your pending appointments or your active claim, you should be able to see C&P exam scheduling details, including the organization conducting it.
3. Call VA at 800-827-1000. A VA representative can tell you which contractor is assigned to your exam and provide the contact number.
4. Look at the clinic name and address. Each contractor has its own branded clinic locations. The name on the door, the front desk signage, or the clinic's phone greeting will often confirm who you're dealing with.
5. Check the phone number prefix or caller ID. If the company that calls to schedule you identifies itself by name, that's your contractor. Make a note of it — including the date and time they called.

What to Do No Matter Which Contractor You Get

The contractor's name on your letter matters less than how prepared you are when you walk in. These steps apply regardless of which company conducts your exam:

Prepare Specifically for Your Conditions

General preparation isn't enough. Review what the examiner will be evaluating for each condition you've claimed. For mental health and PTSD, the DBQ criteria focus on social/occupational impairment and specific symptom frequencies. For musculoskeletal conditions, the examiner will measure range of motion — know your limitations before the exam and demonstrate them accurately. Our guides on preparing for a PTSD C&P exam and preparing for a mental health C&P exam walk through what to expect condition by condition.

Bring a Witness If Possible

You are permitted to have someone accompany you — a spouse, family member, VSO representative, or advocate. A witness can observe, take notes, and provide a statement later if the exam report contains inaccuracies. Their presence also changes the dynamic in the room.

Write Down Everything Immediately After

The moment you leave the exam — sit in your car, find a bench — write down everything you can remember: the examiner's name and credentials, how long the exam lasted, every question asked, every test performed (or not performed), and any statements made. Date and timestamp your notes. These contemporaneous records carry real evidentiary weight.

Request the Exam Report

Don't wait for the rating decision to read your C&P exam report. Request it immediately through VA.gov or your VSO. Reviewing the report while your memory is fresh allows you to identify inaccuracies quickly.

Use the Adequacy Checker If Something Felt Off

If the exam was short, the examiner didn't review your records, or the questions seemed disconnected from your actual conditions, use our C&P Exam Adequacy Checker to assess whether you have grounds to challenge the report.

When the Exam Was a Problem

Contractor exams vary in quality. Sometimes the examiner is thorough, experienced, and clearly engaged with your file. Other times the exam is rushed, the examiner hasn't reviewed your records, or the resulting report contains errors that contradict your documented medical history.

You are not stuck with a bad C&P exam report. The legal framework is firmly on your side:

• 38 CFR § 4.2 requires the VA to return inadequate exam reports for clarification or order a new examination when the report is insufficient for rating purposes.
• Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007) established that a VA examination must be "adequate" — meaning the examiner must be qualified, must review relevant records, and the report must contain reasoned analysis, not bare conclusions.
• Nieves-Rodriguez v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 295 (2008) held that an examiner who doesn't review the claims file before rendering an opinion has not met the legal standard for an adequate examination.

For a full walkthrough of your rights when a C&P exam goes wrong — including how to document inaccuracies, request a new exam, and file VA Form 21-4138 — read our complete guide at C&P Exam Recording & Inadequate Exam Rights.

If your claim was denied following a contractor exam, you may also want an Independent Medical Opinion (nexus letter) from a qualified physician who can review your records and provide a reasoned opinion that directly rebutted the contractor's report. Learn more at our nexus letter guide.

The Bottom Line

The VA's heavy reliance on private contractors for C&P exams is a structural reality you cannot change. You won't choose which company evaluates you, and you won't always know until the appointment letter arrives. What you can control is how prepared you are before you walk in — and how quickly you act if the exam falls short.

The exam report is one of the most powerful pieces of evidence in your claim. Whether it's produced by QTC, VES, OptumServe, or LSGS doesn't change that fact. A well-prepared veteran who documents their conditions accurately and follows up on any inaccuracies has far better outcomes than a veteran who shows up cold and accepts whatever the report says.

If something about your exam felt off, don't wait. Request the report, compare it against your records, and use the tools available to you — including our adequacy checker and the free attorney marketplace — to decide your next move. Free help is available, and you don't owe any contractor the benefit of the doubt when your rating and your benefits are on the line.