VA Form 21-2507a
Separation Health Assessment - Part A
You are separating from active duty and participating in the BDD program (90-180 days before separation) or IDES, and VA requires a separation health assessment.
- Who fills it
- service-member-active
- Journey phase
- Filing Your Claim
- Estimated time
- 30-45 minutes.
- When to file
- During the BDD window (90-180 days before your discharge date) or as part of IDES.
Official VA form page: https://www.benefits.va.gov/predischarge/
Gather before you start
- ▸Complete list of every health condition you have had during service
- ▸Dates and locations of treatment for each condition
- ▸Medications currently taking and reason for each
- ▸Mental health treatment history
- ▸All injuries sustained during service
Attach with the form
- ▸Service treatment records for any conditions you are reporting
- ▸Current medication list
Section I - Service Member Identification
Blocks 1-6Name, SSN, DOB, branch, rank, separation datePII
Your active-duty information. Include your expected separation date as this determines the BDD window.
(legal name, SSN, branch, expected separation date)
Common mistakes
- ×Filing outside the BDD window (less than 90 days from separation) - BDD requires 90-180 days.
Section II - Complete Health History During Service
Blocks 7-40Every health condition, injury, illness, and treatment during serviceRepeatable
BE COMPREHENSIVE. List every condition, injury, illness, or health issue you have had during military service, even if you think it is minor or has resolved. Include: musculoskeletal injuries (back, knee, shoulder), hearing loss, tinnitus, vision changes, skin conditions, GI issues, respiratory problems, mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, PTSD, adjustment disorder), sleep problems, traumatic brain injury (even mild), exposures to hazardous materials, sexual trauma, dental issues. Conditions not listed here may be harder to claim later.
e.g., Right shoulder instability from fall at training (2019, Camp Pendleton); tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss from firing range since 2017; intermittent low back pain from rucking since 2018; insomnia and anxiety symptoms since return from deployment 2021...
Common mistakes
- ×Not listing conditions because they seem minor or resolved - even old injuries that recur count as service-connected.
- ×Not listing mental health symptoms because of stigma - mental health conditions are fully covered and commonly rated.
- ×Not listing occupational hazard exposures (burn pits, chemicals, noise) - PACT Act presumptions may apply.
- ×Only listing currently active conditions - past conditions that may recur also belong here.
Authority
- 38 USC 5101 - Standardized form requirement.
Section III - Certification
Blocks 41-42Service member signature and datePII
Sign and date under penalty of perjury. Part B will then be completed by a DoD clinician based on your Part A and your medical records.
(signature/date)
Common mistakes
- ×Being too conservative out of fear of affecting promotions or military career - SHA-A is for YOUR benefit; the information is used for VA claims, not unit fitness reports.
- ×Rushing through this form - this is one of the most important documents you will complete before separation.
Statutory and regulatory authority
- 38 USC 5101 - Standardized form requirement.