Integrated DoD/VA disability evaluation system improves support for wounded warriors Published Jan. 11, 2011 By Capt. Kevin Hammond 21st Medical Group PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Team Pete servicemembers referred for medical evaluation boards after Mar. 1 will go through a new Disability Evaluation System, which integrates the processes of the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The Integrated Disability Evaluation System, or IDES, provides a more seamless transition to veteran disability benefits with fewer hurdles, faster results and more consistent ratings between DoD and VA than the previous system. Under the previous system, servicemembers completed the military Disability Evaluation System in an average of 10 months. This included a set of medical examinations by military physicians, a series of boards to determine if the member was still able to serve, and if not, assignment of a disability rating used by the DoD to calculate disability compensation. Servicemembers could not begin to apply for disability compensation and benefits from VA until after receiving a discharge date from their service. It was then up to the veteran to complete a VA application and provide all required documentation. If any documents were missing, it was the veteran's responsibility to locate them. Then, the veteran had to complete another set of medical exams in accordance with standards set by the VA and wait for a VA panel to provide another disability rating, this one used to calculate veteran's disability compensation and benefits. This second process took on average another eight months during which benefits were gapped. Under the new IDES, there is only one set of medical exams, performed to VA standards, which provides all the information needed by both departments. A panel at VA issues disability ratings that meet the needs of both departments. The integrated process still takes about eight months, but now when the servicemember is finished with the military process, a disability claim is already filed with the VA so veteran disability compensation and benefits can arrive after one month in veteran status. That is the earliest allowable under current law. In designing the IDES, the two departments examined the recommendations of several commissions and task forces established to improve the delivery of benefits to wounded, ill and injured servicemembers and veterans. The resulting integrated system was first introduced as a pilot program at three military treatment facilities in Nov. 2007. It was further tested and improved as the pilot expanded to 24 additional locations over two years, bringing the integrated system to 47 percent of servicemembers referred for disability evaluation. In thousands of surveys, servicemembers and their families in the pilot program consistently reported higher average satisfaction with fairness, customer service, and the overall DES experience than did participants in the legacy system. Based on the proven performance of the pilot, the departments plan to extend these advantages to all remaining servicemembers by the end of Sept. 2011.