Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD)

The Benefits Delivery at Discharge program allows active-duty service members to file VA disability compensation claims 180 to 90 days before their separation date. The goal is to deliver a rating decision within 30 days after discharge so compensation begins on day one of veteran status. Claims are filed using VA Form 21-526EZ under the statutory authority of 38 U.S.C. 5103A (duty to assist) and 38 U.S.C. 5110 (effective dates).

You qualify for BDD if you are a full-time active-duty service member (including National Guard and Reserve members on active duty or full-time Title 32 orders), you know your separation date, you file between 180 and 90 days before that date, you can submit a copy of your Service Treatment Records (including the Separation Health Assessment -- Part A Self-Assessment), and you are available for 45 days from claim submission to attend VA-ordered examinations.

BDD excludes service members who are seriously ill or injured, terminally ill, hospitalized in VA or military treatment facilities awaiting discharge, or stationed where VA exams require travel to foreign countries (with exceptions for Landstuhl, Germany, and Camp Humphreys, Korea). Claims requiring a Character of Discharge determination under 38 C.F.R. 3.12 also cannot use BDD.

Under 38 C.F.R. 3.400, the effective date for any BDD grant is the day after separation -- not the filing date. Filing an Intent to File (ITF) has no effect on BDD effective dates. If you add conditions when fewer than 90 days remain before separation, those conditions are processed as a separate non-BDD claim while the original BDD claim continues.

38 U.S.C. 5103A -- VA duty to assist claimants38 U.S.C. 5110 -- Effective dates for disability compensation38 C.F.R. 3.400 -- General effective date rules38 C.F.R. 3.326 -- ExaminationsM21-1, Part III, Subpart i, Chapter 2 -- Pre-Discharge Claims processing