Preparing to leave military service involves plenty of paperwork, but one application deserves early attention: the VA disability claim.

The Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program allows eligible servicemembers to file before separation, giving the VA time to gather evidence and conduct examinations while the member is still in uniform.

BDD can shorten the wait for a disability decision, although applying does not guarantee an immediate decision or payment. Starting early gives the VA an opportunity to evaluate claimed conditions before the transition to civilian life.

Active duty servicemembers as well as full-time active members of the Guard and Reserve can apply for disability compensation through BDD from 90 to 180 days before their known separation date. Applicants must be available for required VA examinations during the 45 days after submitting their claim and include a completed Separation Health Assessment–Part A Self-Assessment. Claims requiring certain types of special handling are excluded, such as those involving serious injury or illness, or members awaiting a Character of Discharge determination.

[PDF DOWNLOAD: Separation Health Assessment]

Over 200,000 servicemembers transition out of the military each year, but only a fraction of them take advantage of the BDD program, which completed just 53,065 claims in fiscal year 2026.

The Government Accountability Office has examined barriers to BDD access and recommended better tracking of participation in transition briefings, analysis of claims by military component, and greater sharing of effective examination practices between the VA and the Pentagon. Those recommendations, some of which the VA has implemented, underscore the importance of early information and coordination during separation.

Servicemembers can apply online or seek help from a VA-accredited representative. Those with fewer than 90 days remaining on active duty can still file a disability claim before separation but must use a process outside BDD.

To learn more, visit the VA’s BDD information page. Planning ahead can help servicemembers make the most of the filing window and prepare for the benefits process before leaving uniform.