VA's New Claims Processing Initiative Eliminates the Need for Medical Exam

VA announced a new initiative in processing disability claims called Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE), which will allow VA to assess a veteran’s claim for benefits without conducting an in-person medical examination, as long as there is sufficient medical evidence in the record to decide the claim. Under this new process, a VA physician will complete a questionnaire based on review of the medical evidence in the veteran’s file – and the regional office will make its decision based on that review. Several veterans’ advocates (myself included) are concerned that this may not always be in the veteran’s best interest. Veterans who file claims for disability compensation benefits and feel that they need an in-person medical examination, should request one in writing to the RO.