There are three modes of C&P evaluations, face-to-face, Telehealth, and Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE).

Face to Face

The face-to-face C&P examination takes place when you evaluate the Veteran or Servicemember in person at your facility.

Telehealth

A Telehealth C&P examination uses video-conferencing equipment. There are also peripheral devices that can be attached to computers or the video-conferencing equipment which can aid in an interactive examination. This mode of evaluation is approved for approximately a third of C&P exam types.

ACE

An Acceptable Clinical Evidence evaluation can save the time needed for scheduling and conducting an in-person examination. Not all C&P examinations provided by VHA or contract examiners require a physical examination or interaction with the Veteran. A number of requested C&P examinations can be completed by compiling and reviewing clinical evidence from various medical record sources, sometimes with a telephone call between examiner and Veteran when additional historical information is needed. An ACE evaluation is sometimes used to provide a medical opinion based on the evidence of record.

ACE evaluations cannot be used when necessary electronic medical records are not available for examiner review. ACE evaluations also cannot be used for some types of examinations such as mental health, pre-discharge, general medical, or female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) C&P examinations.