In September 2007, the Army began implementing a new disability evaluation system intended to streamline the veterans-benefits process and get disability benefits to soldiers faster. While the program has made some improvements, servicemembers still encounter difficulties and delays.
Under the old system, when servicemembers became wounded, sick or injured, they would be evaluated by the Department of Defense (DOD) to determine whether they were fit to continue to serve, and if not, the appropriate level of compensation they would receive. After discharge, soldiers would then have to go through a very similar process with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to apply for veterans benefits.
With the aim of greater efficiency and faster claims processing, the DOD and VA created the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). Through IDES, servicemembers undergo a single disability evaluation to determine their disability ratings, which are used by both departments before discharge from the military.
The new system is not as fast as many hoped, however. The Associated Press reports that, even using the new system, a typical servicemember's case is passed between the DOD and the VA nine times.
In addition, the disability evaluation process generally starts one year after the injury occurred, when enough time has passed to determine whether the servicemember can remain on duty. Despite the goal to complete an evaluation within 295 days of the one-year mark, the Associated Press indicates that the average time it takes to complete an evaluation through the new system is more than 400 days. This means that injured servicemembers sometimes have to wait more than two years before receiving any disability benefits.
Some New York veterans' benefits attorneys say that because of the potential for significant delays in the application and disability evaluation process, following the appropriate procedures when filing is key.
Individuals seeking military disability benefits should consult with an attorney knowledgeable in these affairs.
