VA plans to redesign the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program to enable service members to receive disability benefit decisions the day after their discharge. The redesigned program will go into effect October 1.
VA is dedicated to ensuring that Veterans get the benefits they have earned and deserve as quickly and accurately as possible. Changes to the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program will increase VA’s ability to conduct exams, review medical evidence, and process ratings prior to a service member’s release from active duty. In most cases, VA benefits decisions will be provided the day after discharge.
Service member’s using the program can submit their claim from 90 to 180 days prior to discharge from active duty. Previously, the submission time was 60 to 180 days before discharge. This extra time is needed to ensure medical exams can be conducted and evaluated, and claims rated prior to separation. To participate, the service member must be available to attend the VA examination(s) for 45 days from the date of claim submission.
In order to focus resources on those who participate in the redesigned program, the Quick Start program will be eliminated. Quick Start allowed service members who did not meet the Benefits Delivery at Discharge window, to submit their claim and evidence up until one day before discharge from active duty.
While service members can still submit their claim with 89 days or less prior to discharge, the claims will not be processed until after their separation. These claims will be processed as either a fully developed claim or traditional claim as appropriate.
More information on the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program is available on the website, or at military Transition Assistance Program (TAP) offices.
Topics in this story
More Stories
An important part of financial planning is life insurance, which VA offers through a variety of whole life programs to Veterans, service members and their families.
DOD has updated installation access procedures for Veterans. New process makes entering military bases and using services easier.
This 2024 Veterans Day discounts list will continue to be updated as we learn of more nationally available Veterans Day discounts, meals or other ways businesses and organizations want to give back to Veterans.
it’s so sad
Actions speak louder than words. I was referred back for eval for a TBI that turned to epilepsy in relation to headaches, among other things and it’s still the viewpoint of we are not going to recognise that. Same song and dance down the river of denial. Had to have bi-lateral jaw surgery do to extensive internal injury, crushed bones, arthritis, missing cartilage, … let’s blame it on TMJ instead of an oversight of what all this really was, a severe concussive injuries with internal damage that were over sighted for years due to lack of available technology. Got blown by friendly and foreign fire yet still won’t recognise these things. Truly disappointed
Comrads,
I’m a VFW, served 82-86 in US Navy, USS Shenandoah AD-44. I haven’t utilized my bennefits at all. My question if anyone can advise, I currently have private health coverage through my wives employment, reason being I have heard that VA physicians will not provide or perscribe a medication I am currently perscribed by my personal physician for a chronic desease I have. It’s an opiate med that is very successful for managing the pain caused by authritus and deteriation of muscle between my vertebra’s in lower back….bone on bone for at least 20 years or so. I chose not to operate at this time due to possible permanent damage and the time required for surgery and recovery due to employment. First of all is this a true statement about opiate presciption and secondly if not true please advise on what I should do to take advantage of bennefits. Im Very novice in regards to my bennefits. From what I understand my GI bill is a good one before the next bill that was extremely minimized. Any help would be appreciated. I am active in Post #20 Crown Point, IN but cant seem to get appropriate advisement. Answer is always, go to VA an ask. Maybe that’s the correct answer. I dont know. Please advise!
Respectfully,
EM3 Davis
Kenneth H Jones
830 East 6th Street
Plainfield, NJ 07062
File Number #
I am an Disable Vietnam Veteran who suffer from PTSD; Morbid Obesity; Chronic Low Back Pain; Osteoarthritis involving the knee; Cellulitis and abscess of leg; Knee Pain; Abnormal Ekg; Eating Disorder; Chronic Venous Insufficiency; Gross Hematuria
I am disabled Vietnam Veteran that is rate at 100%. The VA granted me free medical Service for my PTSD. The medical costs I accrued outside the VA: For example: I accrued $16,000 costs to Care One at Highland, A Nursing Home, 1350 Inman Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820. Which I was a patient from September 6, 2016 till December 23, 2016. Also, I accrued Doctors expenses in the amount of $4,580 for treating me at the Nursing Home. Theses expenses are after Medicare payments. I can’t drive to the VA, because I can’t walk, so I have to pay someone to take me. Then on December 27, 2016; I was transfer to the VA Nursing Home, in Lyons, NJ, Where I was a patient until April 30, 2017. I Though my Creditors were receiving recurring payments on theirs. I had no reason, why the Creditors stop performing (ACH) on my accounts.
I am disabled homeless Veteran that received a Seperation bonus back in 1992 as part of the force reduction. My separation was honorable and I was under the impression that my separation pay was honorable also with no hidden stipulations. I finally submitted my Disability claim in 2016 and was awarded 60 percent in 2017. That gave me the thought that I could use that payment to get back on my feet and move from ca to tx where it would be cheaper to live. To my surprise I was notified that Disability payment would be withheld unti my full separation bonus is repaid. Now what?
Been fighting my PTSD claim for 14 yrs in 2015 I was finally awarded 70%with tdiu payed 100%. But was shorted 4yrs backpay. Appealed it and had second BVA hearing in June 2016 and still haven’t gotten a decision from the judge. Last week the BVA says I have to wait for it to come up on the docket in 3 to 5 yrs. Now this was suppose to be expitidited. So why again do we who have spent years on our cases get shoved under the carpet and pushed to the back of the line. This is just another knife in our back by out government
How I wish this had been in effect when I was discharged. My life would be so different.
I am a Vietnam veteran with Type II Diebeties.
I have a history of Afibilation and had to have a ablation to heart. The valve to my hear was letting the blood in but outlet valve wasn’t letting it out.
I was still having problems with fuzz is spells. They Angiegram and my heart stopped, They had to put a temporary in and stabilize. The next day they put a pendant pacemaker in.
Also Nuropthy pain is being treated with Pain Mangy. For the last 10 years. The medication is not working to relive the pain totally. I take as much as my body can stand.
I have sleep apnea sever.
I take Climax to help my Blatter to empty.
My sugar A1C has been all over. Finally got Doctor to give me another to go with my metformin.
Also having with ED.
My initial evaluation was only 60% disability.
I have going down hill since then.
How do I get an updated accesiment buy the VAN?
I should be 100%.
My question is my p
Gald to see improvements for AD members, what about traditional Guard & Reserve members not on Active? Duty helping them file claims/exams, etc. Help the forgotten.
so, how does this affect the MILLIONS of vets before who have and are continuing to fight for what they shouldn’t have to?
Why don’t the VA issue eye glasses for the vets?
It’s taken the V.A. CLAIMS 42 YEARS AND STILL HAVEN’T READ MY SERVICE MEDICAL RECORDS.
THIS IS A LAUGH, ONE DAY AFTER DISCHARGE.
I injured my neck at a command with only one independent duty corpsman, following commands followed original diagnosis of muscle spasms. 8 years later ended up at NNMC Bethesda for neck surgery. Was informed by a couple of original Frogmen that if hand carrying medical records to make copies and keep it updated and at home or in locker. 7 years later neck went south and filed. I saved months/years and tons of frustration by having records on hand and at county VA reps office. Branch of service should hand over a certified copy with classified info redacted.
Thanks for the blog post! And as a follow up, we encourage transitioning servicemembers to meet with a Veteran Service Organization to assist with their VA benefits. VFW has accredited Pre-Discharge claims reps on military installations, along with our other VSO comrades.
In the summer of 1969 I took a draft physical Pass it was classified as 1A NO back problem! In January I took my Navy induction physical, passed it NO BACK PROBLEM! in 1971/72 I was told by a Navy coreman that I had a back problem from being slimed into a stairway wall by a 150 lb storage locker! did not hurt enough to get out of the Navy or to claim a disability until 2011! Got ONLY a 10% service connected<<<<< for over 10 years I have been trying to get copies of my military medical records only getting the run around!!! The VES a privet non-government company has a copy I seen it BUT you at VBA will not give me a copy to prove to you that my back problem was due to an injury in the Navy!!!
Glad to see a focus on timely delivery of services earned . Seems veterans deserve at least as good of service as draft dodging Clinton and Obama
Hey Ronald Trimm, Don’t forget Trump, George W. Bush; Rudy Giuliani; Mitt Romney; Ted Nugent; Newt Gingrich; Dick Cheney; Jeb Bush
About Pres Obama and the draft. The draft ended in 1973, at which time Barack Obama was 12 years old. He was born in August 1961.
Question:
Is this BDD – Discharge date the day you sign out on Terminal Leave or official retirement day (Last day in Service)?
This should start the day AFTER official separation from Military Service.