FYI- SOME VAMCs are Open for Exams again

[brokensoldier244th]

Exams that were being sent strictly to contractors before, due to VAMCs not being open, are starting to be routed back to VAMCs. This is going forward from last Friday- not sure if prior scheduled exams will be re-created for VAMC vs vendor.

[brokensoldier244th]

Gen Medicals for gulf war, PTSD, audio unless you have audiograms on record, things with ROM (unless you have stuff uploaded on your own to the records with ROM in it already). There are a lot of things that they can do without a face to face if your information is up to date and the evidence is submitted, but some things have to have an in person exam. Some of the MH can be via Telehealth, but ACE is where they just review records specifically, no actual 'exam' (tele or otherwise). You can read about the exclusions below. 

 

III.iv.3.A.4.b. Categories of Examinations for Which the ACE Process Is Prohibited

The ACE Process is not available in the following categories of examinations: examinations when necessary electronic medical records are not available for examiner review Separation Health Assessments (SHAs) in support of IDES and BDD claims (pre-discharge) general medical examinations initial and review traumatic brain injury (TBI) examinations, and mental disorder examinations. Exceptions:  The ACE Process may be used to resolve requests for clarification of, or addendum to, an SHA where the service member’s previous General Medical – Separation Health Assessment Disability Benefits Questionnaire was completed in person, or complete individual specialty and/or specialist DBQs for pre-discharge contentions, provided the service member’s General Medical – Separation Health Assessment Disability Benefits Questionnaire was completed in person, and other exclusion principles discussed in this block are not applicable. VBA may also specifically require an in-person examination, but in the interest of expediting the claims process, RO employees should not routinely exclude the use of the ACE Process absent a compelling reason, particularly for homeless Veterans, and/or the following conditions: hearing loss tinnitus cardiac conditions amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and any terminal condition.