Comp and Pen exam *after* receiving a new rating?

When I separated, a few things on my initial claim fell through the cracks - they weren’t denied or anything, they just didn’t appear at all despite definitely being brought up in those first VA apts.

When I noticed they were missing, I put in the intent to refile, went through the hoops to get my DBQ’s and all the appointments and such, and resubmitted. Took about 8 months.

Fast forward to just recently: percentage was increased!! Got a pretty decent chunk of change retroactively deposited to the bank account, and I’m now eligible for VA healthcare, so FUCK YEAH!! This is an unbelievable weight off my shoulders!

Last Friday, I got an email from the VA saying to be on the lookout for a call or letter scheduling the C&P exam. I’ve been working through the VA up to this point, so I’m not sure what the C&P would cover that their own docs haven’t already, but w/e, I’m not opposed to going in for another look.

…but it’s super weird to me that the C&P exam would be scheduled after being awarded a new rating. I’ve heard that not everyone has to do the C&P if your DBQs are good enough, so I figured I fell into that category… but now I’m getting nervous: was I given the new rating in error?

My plan as of now is to just not touch the money that was deposited, since I’m not sure if I’ll be allowed to keep it… but I’m also tempted to just dump it all into my student loan debt, since it’s enough to bring that almost to $0.00 and even if I do end up having to repay, it’d effectively just make my loans reset to 0% interest (or would it be 0% if I have to repay the VA?).

Does that email go out to everyone regardless of whether or not you actually need the C&P? If they are going to call me in for the exam, how long does it typically take to get that phone call? Like if I go a full week without hearing anything, safe to assume all is well? Month? Longer?

My anxiety is through the roof right now. I’ve pretty much been poverty or paycheck-to-paycheck my entire life - the prospect of actual financial security has always been a pipe-dream fantasy, but fuck… here it is. But I don’t trust that I’ll get to keep it.

Any insight would by much appreciated!!

Thank you, all!