Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Program: All You Need to Know

To assist eligible veterans in receiving their VA disability compensation benefits as soon as they are released from active duty, the VA established the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program.

Briefly stated, the BDD program enables a service member to apply for VA benefits while still on active duty. It allows VA to approve the benefits and the veteran to begin receiving disability benefits.

Here is every detail you need to know about the benefits delivery at discharge (BDD) program, its eligibility criteria, and the time required to process the claim.

How Does the BDD Program Work?

You must submit a new claim to the VA using VA Form 21-526EZ, which can be done online at VA.gov, by mail, or in person if you want to participate in the BDD program.

Following the submission of your claim, the VA will request your service medical records and schedule any required VA exams for you.

After all VA examinations are finished, the VA will release a proposed rating decision outlining what the VA is granting or denying.

The VA will issue a formal rating decision, and you will begin receiving VA disability compensation benefits as soon as you are released from the military.
You can then start the appeals process if you are unhappy with the rating decision.

Who is Eligible to Participate in the BDD Program?

If you fulfill each of the following requirements, you are qualified for the BDD program:

• Be on active duty full-time;
• Have a scheduled departure date;
• A separation date that is between 90 and 180 days after the claim is filed; and
• Throughout the 45 days following the date your claim was submitted, make yourself available to take VA exams.

You cannot participate in the BDD program if your VA claim requires special handling, such as waiting for the VA to determine the nature of your discharge, losing a body part, being terminally ill, or being pregnant.

Naturally, those service members can still apply for VA disability benefits using the standard procedure.

FAQS

How Long May It Take to Process My Claim?

The processing time for claims made through the BDD program typically ranges from 60 to 90 days, though this time frame may change depending on your particular claim.
The BDD program aims to guarantee that a veteran begins receiving disability benefits within 60 days of discharge.

Are There Any Other Benefits to the BDD Program?

In addition to receiving your benefits quickly after discharge, participating in the BDD program ensures that your VA exams are carried out while you are on active duty.

Because the exam that made the diagnosis was carried out while you were on active duty, you will have documentation to support any new diagnosis you receive during a VA examination.

Can I Claim Additional Disabilities After I’ve Filed a Claim In the BDD Program?

You may include disabilities in your BDD claim as long as you have at least 90 days left before separation.

Any additional claimed disabilities will be processed by the VA after your discharge if there are less than 90 days left before your separation from the military.