Every military spouse rolls their eyes at the common tongue-in-cheek answer to treating our servicemember’s physical and mental aches and pains, “Take ibuprofen and put a bandaid on it!”
Now it’s time to transition and bandaids and ibuprofen aren’t going to suffice, but what are the options to file a VA Claim and how does it all work?
This is my military spouse’s guide to filing a VA Claim and how the Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program works.
What is the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Program?
Benefits Delivery at Discharge Program allows an active-duty servicemember to file a VA claim between 90 and 180 days before separation. Why is this important? It’s all about time. Getting your records together, making and attending the required doctor appointments, and more take time. That time delays your access to VA disability benefits once active-duty service is complete.
Just as an example, my servicemember did not use the BDD program and it took 9 months for his VA claim to be finalized.
Filing a BDD claim allows the VA time to review the claim and can speed up access to those benefits.
What if Your Servicemember Doesn’t Qualify for Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Program?
If your servicemember missed the BDD window or discovers they aren’t eligible to use the program they can submit a claim through the Fully Developed Claim Process or the Standard Claim Process.
From my experience, the VA process can feel very overwhelming. There are a lot of appointments and check-ins and this is in addition to all the other transition tasks that your servicemember has to complete. Add in the stress of not knowing if certain disabilities will be approved or given the attention we know they deserve. Toss a bit of the stories told by your neighbor about their cousin’s uncle’s friend who was denied for every claim and this is the part where you want to crawl under the covers and hide.
And you aren’t even the one who has to file the paperwork!
If you are feeling overwhelmed or need time, make sure your servicemember knows they can submit an Intent to File. An intent to file sets a potential start date for your servicemember’s benefits which means they may receive retroactive payments between when they submit and when their claim is approved.
Fully Developed Claims Process is when the servicemember does most of the work to put together the records and evidence needed to process a claim by the VA. Not only do they submit all supporting documents needed, but they certify that everything the VA will need is included. This makes their claim process move more quickly. Make sure you check out the fine print in the link above. The VA says there is no risk to using this process because they will move the claim to a Standard Claims Process if they discover more information is needed, but ask all the questions to feel fully comfortable!
The Standard Claims Process is found on the VA website as “File a Claim.” So, don’t necessarily search for that title even though that’s what it’s called. The link gives you all the steps to filing a claim. I only provide the link because we know how quickly requirements can change so I rely on the VA to ensure their data is the most correct. But, this process involves making sure you’re eligible, filing the claim paperwork, submitting all the documentation, submitting additional forms the VA requires, and then waiting to hear back from the VA about whether they need more information, documentation, or doctor visits, or if they are approving your claim.
A Few Handy Links for Learning More About Filing a VA Claim
Types of Claims and When to File – Learn more about secondary claims, new claims, supplemental claims, and more.
Disabilities That Appear Within One Year of Discharge – Learn what you can do if certain chronic conditions appear after transition.
What is the “Evidence” Needed for a VA Claim? – They call it evidence or supporting documentation. Find out more about what documents they require from your servicemember.
Supporting Forms – We’re talking about authorization to get records, witness statements, authorization to release information, and more…
Watch the replay of Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD): Filing a VA Disability Claim
Tyrone Hewitt is an expert at filing VA Claims and a whole lot more things your servicemember may be looking for information on. Check out my conversation with Tyrone in the replay and I highly recommend you follow him on LinkedIn!
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