Pre-Discharge Claims Kimberly Dickerson, - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Pre-Discharge ClaimsKimberly Dickerson, Dro Oakland VA Regional Office 2/27/18

2. Pre-discharge claimsWhat we plan to learn todayWhat are they? And who can file them?Is there more than one Pre-Discharge program available?Is this only for original claims?Are there VA Form requirements?What are the rules for these programs?Who works these claims?Are there benefits to these programs?

3. What are they? And who can file them?A pre-discharge claim is a claim accepted from a service member who is still on active duty. Any service member on active duty may file a pre-discharge claim. including:Reservists serving on active duty in the active Guard Reserve (AGR) role under Title 10Full time National Guard members serving in the AGR under title 32Service members undergoing Medical evaluation board (MEB) or physical evaluation board (PEB) proceedings who are not currently enrolled in the IDES program.

4. How many of these programs are there?

5. Types of Pre-discharge claimsLess than 90 days before discharge (formerly called Quickstart (QS))Must:Have known date of dischargebe less than 90 days from dischargeBenefits deliver at discharge (BDD)MUST:Have known date of dischargeBe 90-180 days from discharge dateBe available to report to va examinations within 10-45 days from date claim is receivedProvide copy of STRsSubmit claim on prescribed formIntegrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)Joint service between DOD and VAOnly 1 examination, conducted by VAVA proposes disability ratingDOD uses VA’s evidence to determine amount of DOD benefitDOD will issue MEB or PEBVA finalizes Rating upon discharge

6. Are these only original claims?Actually no! These can be any of the following:Original claimReopened claimClaim for increased evaluationNew claim for service connectionClaim for resumption of compensation

7. VA Form requirementsTo file a claim for either the less than 90 day Pre-Discharge program or the bdd program, one of the following forms must be completed and submitted:VA Form 21-526EZ, application for disability compensation and related compensation benefits (preferred)VA Form 21-526c, Pre-discharge compensation claimVA Form 21-526, veteran’s application for compensation and/or pension**If a service member previously filed an original claim with the VA, a VA Form 21-526b , veteran’s supplemental claim for compensation may be used. **

8. Rules?

9. Rules for less than 90 days before discharge claims1. must be less than 90 days from discharge2. file the proper form 3. attend the scheduled VA examination4. tell the va if there is a new address

10. Rules for BDD claims Still be more than 90 days on active duty when claim filedClaims only accepted at an intake siteSTRs have to be submitted with claimDo not file more claims after initial 526EZCan’t moveMust attend va examsCan’t be pregnantMust be in US (or Germany/Korea only)Not be terminally ill or seriously injured/Very Seriously injured in serviceNot be hospitalized in military hospital at time claim is filed

11. Rules for IDES claimsFollow rules from Military services coordinator (MSC)Attend mandatory VA examination and any DOD proceedingsRespond to DOD promptly—if disagree with MEB/PEBDon’t move—or get info from MSC prior to making moveOnce dd 214 is received, provide to va

12. Who works what here?Less than 90 days to discharge claimsThese claims are in the National work queueAs long as the evidence is all there, the claim will follow the regular claim guidelines

13. Who works what here?BDD claimsClaims may only be accepted at approved “intake” sitesDesignated individuals only begin work on these claims. Generally these are either worked by an Msc or a specific vsr in the office.Originally, There are 2 rating activity sites (RAS) for these claims—Salt Lake and Winston-Salem. However, these claims are all in the NWQ now.

14. Who works what here?IDES claimsWorked by the MSC in joint effort with the pebloRated at a disability rating activity site (DRAS) only

15. Who are these people?MSCs are VA representatives that work at IDES intake sites. serve as a resource for IDES participants and their families with regard to information about VA benefitsserve as the MEBs’ primary point of contact with VAaccept referrals of individuals into IDES from PEBLOshold a meeting with each IDES participant when the participant first enters the program to assist him/her in filing a claim for VA benefits and understanding the claims processundertake development and provide examination reports to PEBLOs once they become availableconduct an exit interview with each IDES participant.A Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) is a DoD employee who is thenon-clinical case manager assigned to individuals after a treating physician refers them to IDESMEB’s primary point of contact in IDES processliaison between DoD and VA’s Military Services Coordinators (MSCs)DoD representative that first meets with each IDES participant and assists in understanding the IDES process and scheduling required medical examinations (in coordination with an MSC)focal point for consolidation of all pertinent medical information.

16. Are there benefits to these programs?All claimed conditions listed on 526EZ while still on active duty are “noted” in service. Ratings can be done prior to separation from service, and payment can be made upon receipt of dd 214

17. Questions?