An Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) exam is a review method the VA uses to evaluate a disability claim or reexamination without requiring an in-person visit. Instead of a traditional face-to-face compensation and pension exam, a VA contracted examiner reviews the existing medical evidence in the claims file—private treatment records, VA medical records, imaging, lab results, and prior exam findings—to determine whether the evidence is sufficient to assess current severity of a condition. If the file already contains enough recent, detailed clinical documentation, the examiner can complete the required Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) based on that record alone.
ACE exams are relatively common for conditions with objective, well-documented markers, such as certain cancers, diabetes, or conditions being reexamined periodically rather than freshly claimed. Cancer reexaminations in particular often lend themselves to ACE review because oncology records, pathology reports, PSA levels, imaging, and treatment notes provide clear, quantifiable evidence of current status without needing a hands-on physical exam.
Official 2026 VA monthly compensation, including the 2.8% COLA increase.
Dependent add-ons start at a 30% rating. Child-only and dependent-parent rates: see the full 2026 pay chart.
| Rating | Monthly (2026, incl. 2.8% COLA) |
|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
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Analyze my claim free →Being told to "have a phone handy" means the examiner may call to clarify details, ask about current symptoms, treatment side effects, functional limitations, or any recent changes not yet reflected in the records. This is common practice under ACE protocols; the examiner reserves the right to convert to an in-person exam if the file is incomplete or ambiguous.
To prepare, a veteran should make sure all recent treatment records—especially from the last six to twelve months—are actually in the claims file, since the VA does not always have complete private-provider records unless the veteran submits them. Uploading recent oncology notes, imaging results, and any letters describing ongoing symptoms or limitations can help ensure the ACE reviewer has a full picture. It also helps to jot down current symptoms, medications, side effects, and how the condition affects daily functioning, in case the examiner calls to ask questions directly.
If the ACE reviewer determines the record is insufficient, the VA will schedule an in-person exam instead, so there is no risk in simply cooperating with the process.
The concrete next step is to log into the VA's electronic claims file (via a VSO or the VA.gov records request) to confirm all recent cancer treatment and follow-up records are uploaded before the ACE review is completed.
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