By Larry Dandridge
I have written frequently over the past three years about how to file a claim with the VA for a service-connected disability. This article will explain the Pre-Discharge Claim program.
Six types of VA disability claims
According to the VA webpage Types of VA Disability Claims and When to File at https://bit.ly/3m6K3M9, there are six types of claims including:
- An Original Claim – used to file your first claim for disability compensation.
- An Increased Claim – used to file a claim for more compensation for a disability that the VA already determined to be service-connected and has worsened.
- A New Claim – used to file acclaim for added or other benefit requests related to an existing service-connected disability (like financial support, special monthly payments, and individual unemployability based on new evidence).
- A Secondary service-connected Claim – used to file a claim for a new disability that is linked to a service-connected disability you already have (like arthritis from a knee injury on active duty).
- A Special Claim – used to file a claim for special needs linked to a veteran’s service-connected disability (like a specially equipped vehicle, recovering from surgery, and increased payments if the veteran cannot work because of service connection).
- A Supplemental Claim – used to provide new evidence to support a disability claim that was denied.
Pre-Discharge Claims
As stated on the VA’s Pre-Discharge Claim webpage at https://bit.ly/3vmbvaa, if a veteran has a service-connected condition, they can file a claim for disability benefits 180 to 90 days before they leave the military.
This may help speed up the claim decision process so the veteran can get their benefits sooner.
Veterans can find out how to file a claim through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program and learn what to do if they have less than 90 days left on active duty.
Eligibility requirements for the BDD Program
Military members may be eligible to use the BDD program if they meet all of the following requirements:
- He or she is a service member on full-time Active Duty (Including a member of the National Guard, Reserve, or Coast Guard).
- The service member has a known separation date.
- The service member’s separation date is in the next 180 to 90 days.
- The service member is available to go to VA exams for 45 days from the date he or she submitted their claim.
- The service member can provide a copy of their service treatment records for their current period of service when they file their claim.
What if a veteran has less than 90 days left on active duty?
A veteran cannot file a pre-discharge claim or add more medical conditions to their initial pre-discharge claim. However, the veteran can still begin the process of filing their claim before discharge.
Reasons a veteran cannot use the BDD program
Veterans cannot use the BDD program if their claim requires special handling — even if they are on full-time active duty, with more than 90 days left of service.
Veterans cannot use the BDD program if any of these are true:
- The veteran needs case management for a serious injury or illness.
- The veteran is terminally ill.
- The veteran is waiting to be discharged while being treated at a VA Hospital or military treatment facility.
- The veteran is waiting for the VA to determine their Character of Discharge.
- The veteran cannot go to a VA Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam during the 45-day period after the veteran submits his or her claim.
- The veteran did not submit copies of their service treatment records for their current period of service.
- The veteran added a medical condition to his or her original claim when they had less than 90 days left on active duty. (Note: The VA will process the added conditions after the military member is discharged.)
- The veteran needs to have a VA exam done in a foreign country and the VA cannot request the exam through the overseas BDD offices in Landstuhl, Germany, or Camp Humphreys, Korea. Learn more about filing while overseas at https://bit.ly/45yC37G.
How to file a claim for disability compensation before leaving the service
- If a military member has 180 to 90 days left on active duty: Apply through the BDD program. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3S3XKJW.
- If a military member has less than 90 days left on active duty: File a fully developed or standard claim. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3CTtFV0 and https://bit.ly/3RYBnoX.
- If a military member is wounded, injured, or ill and cannot perform their duties: The military member will be referred to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). The VA will work together with the Defense Department (DOD) to make disability evaluation seamless, simple, fast, and fair. If the military member is found to be medically unfit for duty, IDES will give the military member a proposed VA disability rating before they leave the service. The military member will also be entitled to Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) services. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3RWIK0h.
How can I get support for myself and my family as I transition to civilian life?
The VA’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) can help both service members and their families with this transition. The VA will help the service member find out which VA benefits and services they are entitled to, like health care, career guidance, training, and counseling. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3RWIX3z.
Other benefits you can apply for while in pre-discharge status
Education benefits: Apply for and manage education benefits (like Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits) that veterans can use to pay for college and training programs.
Housing assistance: Find out if you qualify for a VA home loan or a housing grant to help you live more independently with your disability.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E): If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, find out if you can get VR&E benefits and services — like help exploring employment options and getting more training if required. Learn more about VR&E at https://bit.ly/46WrigJ.
The bottom line
Please share this article with military members and veteran friends. Use a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), or a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent to help you understand your veterans’ benefits and help you file claims. VSOs work on behalf of veterans, service members, and their dependents and survivors. VSO services are free.
Veterans can find S.C. County VSOs at https://bit.ly/3qbLVSL. They can find Georgia VSOs at https://bit.ly/44KMVA7. Learn more about VA-accredited representatives at https://bit.ly/3enmCdG.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or 843-276-7164.
