A C&P examiner is not there to treat you. They are there to complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) that feeds directly into the rating schedule in 38 CFR Part 4. Every question maps to a rating criterion.
They are measuring specifics
Range of motion in degrees. Frequency of flare-ups. Number of incapacitating episodes. Occupational impact. These are not small talk — they are the exact data points that decide your percentage.
Answer to the criteria
When the examiner asks how often you have migraines, they are testing whether you meet the threshold for a “characteristic prostrating attack.” When they ask about work, they are gauging occupational and social impairment. Vague answers get scored low. Specific, honest answers protect your rating.