Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD)
If you are between 180-90 days before separation you can file a BDD claim within that window of time.
Ideally, this will allow your claim to get a head-start and get you a decision the day after you separate - but… this is not always the case.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
You MUST submit your Service Treatment Records (STRs) NO LATER THAN 90 DAYS BEFORE you separate from Active Duty. Failure to do so WILL result in your claim being removed from the BDD program! Specifically, the VA is requires your Separation Health Assessment - Part A Self-Assessment (SHA, Part A).
Private medical records (treatment outside a military provider) is generally NOT included into your STRs unless YOU have them added. Ask your base medical how they want to go about this. They should accept copies of those records or have a fax number the providers can send your records to.
You can obtain your STRs HERE.
You can upload evidence via this LINK.
If some records are missing/incomplete that is fine - just submit what you can for now!
You do NOT need to attend all your exams before the window closes or even before you separate.
ALWAYS keep the VA updated of your location! That way they can properly notify you any Examinations!
BDD claims CANNOT have ratings finalized till the day AFTER you officially separate from active duty!
If you had a previous period of service and had claimed condition(s) denied, you MUST file an appropriate Appeal to re-claim those denied issues!
If you decide to file for additional conditions when you are under 90 days to separation, a separate claim WILL be created while the BDD continues as a BDD claim!
Intents to file mean NOTHING for a BDD claim as the effective date of any grants CANNOT be earlier than the day AFTER you separate from the military.
RATER NOTES:
Seriously, if you have NOT been seen in-service for your claimed condition(s) it is CRITICAL that you file BEFORE you separate! It WILL GREATLY help you in getting Service-connection! So even if it might delay you getting a decision it WILL GREATLY help you in the end!
SERIOUSLY, the bar to get service-connection gets NO LOWER than when you file a claim while STILL ON ACTIVE DUTY! In short, in MOST cases so long as you can get a current diagnosis you will get service-connection!
Oh and… please do NOT claim the same damn joint 5 different ways. If you say claim left shoulder strain, left shoulder tear, left shoulder pain, left shoulder arthritis, etc. You will not get multiple evaluations for your left shoulder. Claiming the same joint multiple ways just increases the administrative headache of having to ensure the VA ‘considers’ everything as “also claimed as”.
NOTES:
BDD claims are given Priority in terms of claims processing.
All conditions will be considered under Primary service-connection even if they are factually due to another condition.
Unless there is clear and unmistakable evidence the condition was preexisting, then the VA will consider under Aggravation.
Filing a BDD Claim
To file a BDD claim online by yourself, you can go to VA.gov.
Alternatively, you can have a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) assist you in filing a claim.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
If you are having an attorney, claim agent, or VSO file your BDD claim; you MUST be the one who signs the claim paperwork (if this is your first ever claim)! Electric signatures are just fine. (M21 I.i.2.A.4.b)
You do NOT need to have a diagnosis to claim something!
VA Overseas Military Coordinators (OMSCs)
For those currently stationed overseas, email these inboxes to help you schedule your Compensation and Pension examinations!
| Location |
Email Address |
|---|---|
| Africa | Contact any OMSC located in Germany, Italy, or the United Kingdom. |
| Asia-Pacific | OMSCJAPANOK.VBAVACO@VA.GOV |
| Central Asia | Contact any OMSC located in Germany, Italy, or the United Kingdom. |
| Europe | Contact any OMSC located in Germany, Italy, or the United Kingdom. |
| Germany, Kaiserslautern | OMSCGER1.VBAVACO@va.gov |
| Germany, Vilseck-Bavaria | OMSCGER2.VBAVACO@va.gov |
| Italy | OMSCIT.VBAVACO@va.gov |
| Japan, Iwakuni | OMSCJAPANIW.VBAVACO@VA.GOV |
| Japan, Okinawa | OMSCJAPANOK.VBAVACO@VA.GOV |
| Japan, Yokosuka | OMSCJAPANYO.VBAVACO@VA.GOV |
| Korea | OMSCJAPANOK.VBAVACO@VA.GOV |
| Korea (alternative) | KoreaBDD.vbapit@va.gov |
| Middle East | Contact any OMSC located in Germany, Italy, or the United Kingdom. |
| South Asia | Contact any OMSC located in Germany, Italy, or the United Kingdom. |
| United Kingdom | OMSCUK.VBAVACO@va.gov |
| West Asia | Contact any OMSC located in Germany, Italy, or the United Kingdom. |
Viewing Exam Reports
Active Duty service members who have filed a BDD claim ARE be able to access their Compensation & Pension Examiner Reports' via the MHS Genesis under medical records > documents.
These will usually show up there in around 30 days after the examination is completed.
You can use these as a sneak-peak to try and predict what rating(s) you may get by comparing the results with the Rating schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the VA going to order my exams!?
Really hard to say, depending on local conditions (how backed up examiners are), it can take beyond your separation date. But ideally, you should have your exams sorted out within two months of filing.
How long will it be before my claim is rated?
The million dollar question! Ideally, the VA would have your rating ready to go, the day after you separate. However, it rarely happens that way. Realistically, you should get a decision in one-three months after separation.
Who gave the VA a time machine! My claim status shows a date in the future?
The date shown is the date after you separate from the military. This is because your Effective date cannot be any earlier.
Do I have to explain how I developed a condition?
No, when you joined the military you did so with a presumption of soundness - meaning you were 100% healthy (barring anything brought up at MEPS). So the fact something popped up while you were in service means you are good to go (unless it is something the VA will NOT service connect).
My separation date changed! Do I need to do anything?
Call the VA (1-800-827-1000) and let them know whats is going on, as a courtesy.
Whoops, looks like I am just gonna stay in the military. Do I need to do anything?
Yes! Submit a Personal statement explaining the situation. Failure to do so may result in a debt being created - if the VA starts paying you!
The website is not letting me submit a claim online! I get a message to contact the VA and the phone people are not able to help me!
Looks like you ran into a technical issue (welcome to the VA!). If the VA is unable to sort this issue out and your BDD window is closing fast you should submit your claim via a VSO or via fax: 844-531-7818.
I am in the National Guard/Reserves can I file a BDD claim?
Yes, if you are on Active Duty or Title 32 orders (and you are in the BDD window) - you CAN file a BDD claim.
Oh no! VA sent me a letter saying they were removing me from the BDD program!
Your claim will continue but without the benefit of BDD priority.
I am almost separated but no exams! What is wrong!?
Some locations are more backed up than others. So sometimes you may not be able to get all your exams done till after you separate. This will NOT remove you from the BDD program!
Should I submitted personal and buddy statements?
You really do not need to. If you really wanted to, it would generally be helpful with respect to talking about the severity of a condition.
The following links has information on statements:
I forgot to claim something. Can't I just talk to my examiner about it and the VA can grant?
Certainly talk to your examiner about ALL your issues! But know the VA generally CANNOT grant things without you formally claiming them!
In most cases it will be best to formally file claims for those additional conditions (sooner than later).
The rating schedule changed between the time I filed my BDD claim and separation; what rating schedule will I be rated under?
You will be rated under the rating schedule in effective the day AFTER you separate.
If the rating schedule changed while you were on Active Duty then you WILL be rated under the new schedule.
If the rating schedule changed 2 days or more AFTER you separate, then you’d be considered under both schedules (assuming a decision wasn’t made exactly on the day after you separated):
If the new schedule is better you’d be rated under the old schedule till the new schedule became effective.
If the old schedule is better then you’d be rated under it only.