When you apply for a veteran disability claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) you will need to provide medical records to verify that your injury, illness, or medical condition is service-connected. Veterans may need additional exams to support their claim like the Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exam or an Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) Exam. Veterans who are new to the disability claims process may want to know — what is a VA Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) Exam? We may be able to help answer your questions at VA Benefits Attorneys.

Acceptable Clinical Evidence Exams are put in place to eliminate the need for in-person or telehealth disability exams and are faster than a C&P Exam and are ordered by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). The primary need for this exam is to review the medical records and determine a disability rating and the severity of the veteran’s injury, illness, or medical condition. This exam will review medical evidence in detail, including hospital records, notes provided by doctors, test results, and any additional documents that are relevant to and submitted with the disability claim. 

When Do Veterans Need an ACE Exam? 

ACE Exams are ordered by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) or the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) when the medical records provide the basic information that examiners need to assess the severity of the injury, illness, or medical condition. The exam works in tandem with the veteran’s Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) to help establish a disability rating.

The primary purpose of the ACE Exam is to determine if the claimed disability was caused or aggravated by military service and if the claimed disability is related to a service-connected disability. In many cases — the ACE Exam is used to determine if a service-connected injury, illness, or medical condition contributed to the death of a veteran.

Which Injuries and Medical Conditions Are Covered by an ACE Exam?

This exam can be used to provide an additional assessment of select injuries and medical conditions. The conditions that may be covered by an ACE Exam include many that can be difficult to establish a disability rating for or have a minimum rating. Here is a list of injuries and medical conditions that may be assessed with an ACE Exam:

• Hearing Loss
• Tinnitus
• Migraines and Headaches
• Sleep Apnea
• Select Cardiovascular Conditions — Ischemic Heart Disease, etc.
• Select Pulmonary Conditions
• Hypertension
• Musculoskeletal Conditions
• Prostate and Genitourinary Conditions
• Select Cancers — To determine if it is active or has metastasized
• Any Terminal Medical Conditions
• MORE…

READ MORE: What Are the Most Common VA Disability Claims?

Veterans may be asking — what is a VA Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) Exam — and we have the answers you need right here at VA Disability Attorneys. We can help you file a successful disability claim and get the benefits you have earned with your years of service.
 
Contact VA Disability Attorneys today for a FREE case review!