Division of Responsibilities – Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) and BDD-Excluded Claims

Overview

In This Section

This section contains the following topics:

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1. Intake Site Responsibilities

Introduction

This topic contains information about intake site responsibilities, including

• National Work Queue (NWQ) routing of BDD claims
• special claims-handling procedures for BDD claims
• BDD claims from former Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) participants returned to duty
• actions to take in Veterans Benefits Management System (VBMS) when required development actions are complete, and
• follow-up requirements for Examination Management System (EMS) and Compensation and Pension Record Interchange (CAPRI) examinations.

Change Date

April 9, 2026

X.i.6.C.1.a. NWQ Routing of BDD Claims

Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claims in a rating end product (EP) status are routed by the National Work Queue (NWQ) to all regional offices (ROs) for post intake site actions based on available capacity at each RO.

Exception: All restricted-access claims (including Warrior Training Advancement Course claimants) will be routed via NWQ to, and worked by, the restricted access claims center as provided in M21-1, Part II, Subpart i, 2.D.5.

Reference: For more information on EP and claim label adjustment from diary EP 336 to a rating EP, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2.d.

X.i.6.C.1.b. Special Claims-Handling Procedures for BDD Claims

In addition to the responsibilities described in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.3, intake sites are responsible for following the steps in the table below when handling a BDD claim.

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Notes:

• The SHA and associated DBQs are provided to the service department via an electronic exchange process. If contacted by a military treatment facility (MTF) requesting examination results, inform the MTF these results are available in the
• Healthcare Artifacts and Image Management Solution (HAIMS) system for examinations requested through EMS, or
• Joint Longitudinal Viewer (JLV) for examinations requested through CAPRI.
• The station performing post intake site actions (i.e. ready for decision (RFD) review or rating action) is responsible for obtaining examination results.
• Intake sites
• must ensure VBMS images are available for review by the examining facility under the circumstances described in M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A.8.b
• are entitled to credit for an interview if the intake site conducted one in connection with a pre-discharge claim, and
• are responsible for creating tracked items to document completed development actions as indicated in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.3.j.

References: For more information on

• placing BDD claims under EP control, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2
• VBMS, see the VBMS Core User Guide
• the ERRA tool, see
• M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A.1.c, and
• M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A.2.c and d
• what the SHA examination covers, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.E.3.b
• selecting the general medical examination vs. the SHA for pre-discharge claims, see
• M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.E.3.c, and
• M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart ii, 1.B.2.o, and
• how to verify military service, see M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 3.B.3.a and b.

X.i.6.C.1.c. BDD Claims From Former IDES Participants Returned to Duty

If a BDD claim is received from a former IDES participant who was returned to active duty, review any completed examinations, and take any action needed.

If the SHA was previously completed and all claimed conditions were examined, establish the appropriate rating EP with a BDD claim label per M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2.d.

If any examinations are required, establish EP 336.

• If an SHA
• was not completed, request the SHA and any necessary specialist examinations, or
• was completed but any claimed condition was not examined, request appropriate examinations for the conditions that were not examined.
• After all examinations have been requested and all other development actions have been taken, change the EP 336 to the appropriate rating EP with a BDD claim label per M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2.d.

Important:

• The service member must only receive one SHA regardless of whether additional contentions are claimed or if the service member is currently or formerly an IDES participant.
• If the EP 689 is not cleared yet, contact the disability rating activity site or station of jurisdiction (SOJ).

Reference: For more information on BDD claims from former IDES participants, see

• M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.I.2.d, and
• M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.I.3.c and d.

X.i.6.C.1.d. Actions to Take in VBMS When Required Development Actions Are Complete

After all development actions are complete, the intake site must

• ensure that the contract examination in VBMS shows a status of Acknowledgement: Received from Vendor for all requested examinations
• ensure all pending tracked items have the proper suspense dates
• update tracked items according to M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.F.3
• change the diary EP 336 to the proper rating EP and BDD claim label, as noted in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2.d, and
• ensure the claim is in open status unless the claim has already been determined to be RFD.

Notes:

• After the above actions have been completed, NWQ will route the claim to the proper location for further processing.
• It is not necessary to wait for evidence to be uploaded into the eFolder prior to performing the above actions if

X.i.6.C.1.e. Follow-up Requirements for EMS and CAPRI Examinations

If an examination is rejected or cancelled, NWQ will route the claim to be corrected. The claims processor must review the clarification request/cancellation reason.

Thereafter

• request the claim from NWQ if necessary
• review the ERRA tool to determine where the examination should be re-requested (EMS or CAPRI), and
• take the steps necessary to correct or re-input the examination request, if necessary.

The table provides advice on how to proceed depending on the reason for the examination cancellation.

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Note: Make every reasonable effort to contact the service member via telephone and/or e-mail to verify why an examination was cancelled or rejected.

Reference: For more information on requesting examinations see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.C.1.b.

2. SOO and SOJ Responsibilities Unique to BDD-Excluded Claims

Introduction

This topic contains information about responsibilities that are unique to BDD-excluded claims, including

• handling claims that do not meet BDD requirements
• SOO/intake site responsibilities for received BDD-excluded claims
• processing additional contentions from BDD claimants
• when to combine BDD and BDD-excluded claims, and
• special considerations on requesting examinations.

Change Date

April 9, 2026

X.i.6.C.2.a. Handling Claims That Do Not Meet BDD Requirements

If a claim is excluded from the BDD program as indicated in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.1.b, and notice has not been provided to the claimant

• generate one of the Non-BDD Claim letters
• select the appropriate reason for not meeting the BDD requirements, and
• follow the guidance in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2.h to change the EP to the proper non-BDD EP.

Important: If a station of origination (SOO) or SOJ discovers a claim in its inventory that is excluded from the BDD program under M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.1.b, it is responsible for completing this action.

Notes:

• Claims processors may verbally inform the service member of the reasons why the claim was excluded from the BDD program. When doing so, a VBMS note must be entered regarding the verbal notification and reason for exclusion.
• If the service member is informed verbally of the BDD exclusion reason(s) and a VBMS note is entered, a Non-BDD letter does not have to be generated.

References: For more information on

• claims that do not meet the BDD program requirements, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.1.b
• claims where the service member remains on active duty beyond the anticipated discharge date, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.C.3.i, and
• actions to take for
• claims filed more than 180 days prior to discharge, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.3.h
• claims filed with no known date of discharge, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.3.i, and
• BDD claims without STRs, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.3.k.

X.i.6.C.2.b. SOO/Intake Site Responsibilities for Received BDD-Excluded Claims

The SOO/intake site is responsible for establishing the BDD-excluded claims in VBMS and following the guidance in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.C.1.b, Steps 1-6.

NWQ will route all BDD-excluded claims for additional development depending on available claims workload. The BDD-excluded claim must be processed through the standard claims process, the Fully Developed Claim (FDC) Program, or any other applicable claims process, as indicated on the claim form.

Important: If the BDD-excluded claimant submits a copy of STRs for the current period of service and is available to report to examinations, request the examinations within five calendar days of the date the documents are uploaded to VBMS.

If examinations are not requested, enter the appropriate Exam Review tracked item as noted in M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 1.A.1.e.

References: For more information on

• the FDC Program, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 2.A and B
• BDD-excluded claims see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.1.b and c, and
• EPs and claim label options for initial establishment of claims excluded from the BDD program, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2.h.

X.i.6.C.2.c. Processing Additional Contentions From BDD Claimants

As noted in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.B.2.i, BDD claimants with less than 90 days remaining on active duty who submit claims for additional contentions will have those additional contentions processed under a separate EP as a BDD-excluded claim.

Important:

• Concurrently pending BDD and BDD-excluded rating EPs are allowed and should not be combined unless as noted in M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.C.2.d.
• These claims will be processed in the same manner as other BDD-excluded claims as noted in this section including:
• affording the service member the same opportunity to participate in the FDC Program or any other eligible program, and
• ensuring development actions are undertaken while the service member is still on active duty.

X.i.6.C.2.d. When to Combine BDD and BDD-Excluded Claims

If the claimant has concurrently pending BDD and BDD-excluded EPs, and it is later determined that the BDD claim did not meet BDD program requirements and should have been established as a BDD-excluded claim, follow the guidance below.

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X.i.6.C.2.e. Special Considerations on Requesting Examinations

When requesting examinations for BDD-excluded claimants the claims processor must

• verify that the service member will be available for examinations at the provided current or forwarding address
• utilize the ERRA tool to determine where the examination should be requested
• select the radial button NO next to the text BDD/IDES Claim? in the ERRA tool, and
• complete at least two attempts to contact the service member to verify the current or forwarding address.

Important:

• If Pre-Discharge claims processors encounter issues with examination providers, or have any contract examination questions, send the details of the issue including the claim number to Medical Disability Examination Office at VAVBAWAS/CO/Contract Examination Inquiries and copy the pre-discharge mailbox at VAVBAWAS/CO/PREDISCHARGE.
• If the claims processor is unable to contact the service member after at least two attempts, request the examination based on the evidence of record.
• Review the VA Form 21-526EZ for a forwarding address and the date the service member will be located at that forwarding address to ensure the correct examination location.
• Claimants who file pre-separation claims that are excluded from the BDD program do not receive an SHA examination. Instead,
• request a general medical examination DBQ along with any applicable specialist DBQs, or
• follow the procedures in M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart ii, 1.B.2.o, if the claim involves an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI due to exposures incurred during Gulf War era service.
• For all BDD-excluded claims, claims processors must select BDD-Excluded from the SPECIAL ISSUE drop-down menu for one contention requiring an examination as shown in the image below. This is important to ensure the examination request is routed correctly in EMS.

Example:

References: For more information on

• selecting the general medical examination vs. the SHA, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.E.3.c
• examinations that must be performed by a specialist, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.A.6
• general information on presumptive service connection for Persian Gulf Veterans, see M21-1, Part VIII, Subpart ii, 1.A, and
• what the SHA examination covers, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.E.3.b.

3. BDD SOJ Responsibilities

Introduction

This topic contains information about BDD SOJ responsibilities, including

• initial actions upon receipt of a BDD claim at the SOJ
• pre-discharge claims for both compensation and pension
• SOJ responsibilities in the SHA exchange with the service department
• important items to consider when rating BDD claims
• rating procedures for BDD claims
• automated VBMS STR requests
• generating an automated VBMS STR request
• requirement for verification of service
• handling claims from service members who remain on active duty beyond the anticipated discharge date, and
• verifying changes in RAD or receipt of additional evidence prior to promulgation of BDD claims.

Change Date

April 9, 2026

X.i.6.C.3.a. Initial Actions Upon Receipt of a BDD Claim at the SOJ

The SOJ is the RO where the BDD claim has been routed by NWQ for development or rating action. This station must complete all required development or rating action including initial development if not already completed.

BDD claims must not be brokered.

Upon receipt of a BDD claim at the SOJ, follow the steps in the table below to ensure all development actions are complete and the claim is RFD.

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X.i.6.C.3.b. Pre-Discharge Claims for Both Compensation and Pension

If a service member files a claim for both compensation and pension, the SOJ is responsible for determining entitlement to both benefits.

X.i.6.C.3.c. SOJ Responsibilities in the SHA Exchange With the Service Department

The SHA and associated DBQs are provided to the service department via an electronic exchange process. If contacted by an MTF requesting examination results, inform the MTF these results are available in

• HAIMS for examinations requested through EMS and
• JLV for examinations requested through CAPRI.

Reference: For more information on the SHA examination, see M21-1, Part IV, Subpart i, 2.E.3.b.

X.i.6.C.3.d. Important Items to Consider When Rating BDD Claims

Rating decisions for BDD claimants will be completed while the service member is still on active duty in order to reduce processing time and ensure that service members receive a decision the day following discharge from active duty.

The following items are important to consider when rating BDD claims:

• As is emphasized in M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 1.B.2.a, and M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 1.A.1.e, BDD claims must not be deferred for service verification, including the DD Form 214. The current period of service for BDD claimants will not be verified until after RAD.
• A BDD claim is submitted by a service member still on active duty; therefore, all current symptoms being reported during the claim period are in-service symptoms/complaints.
• Similarly, the examination conducted in service is demonstrating in service complaints, findings, and diagnoses and/or opinions. A diagnosis of a chronic disability on an in-service VA examination is a diagnosed disability while on active duty.
• When the rating decision is completed while the service member is still on active duty, the effective date entered into VBMS-Rating (VBMS-R) will be a future effective date.
• Take any steps necessary to ensure the service member’s reported separation date is accurate in order to reduce the need to rework the claim due to incorrect effective dates.

Notes:

• The SOJ should decide every issue for which sufficient evidence exists to grant SC, including at a non compensable level.
• If an in-service rating decision requires correction, making a different, corrected decision based solely on a difference of opinion or a different interpretation of rating criteria is not permitted. The decision can be changed only if
• a clear and unmistakable error exists, and/or
• VA receives new evidence after completing the rating decision that justifies changing one or more of the decisions set forth in it.

References: For more information on

• partial rating decisions and deferred issues, see M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, 3.B.1
• changing a decision when there is finality, see
• M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 1.A
• M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 2, and
• M21-1, Part X, Subpart ii, 5, and
• requirements for verification of service, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.C.3.h.

X.i.6.C.3.e. Rating Procedures for BDD Claims

When completing rating decisions for BDD claims, follow the guidance in the table below.

Important:

• Before completing a rating decision, ensure that development has been completed. However, when completing an in-service rating the decision must not be deferred for service verification. The RAD will come from the evidence of record. Ensure that it is accurately entered in VBMS to prevent an inaccurate effective date.
• A partial rating may be completed on issues ready for a decision if
• routed for a decision with 29 or fewer days remaining on active duty, and
• a compensable evaluation is assigned (10 percent or higher and/or special monthly compensation).

Note: In rare cases due to extenuating circumstances outside of the service member’s control, a rating decision may not be completed until after discharge. In such cases a partial rating decision, to include granting only non compensable conditions as directed in M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, 3.B.1.c, is appropriate since the service member is no longer on active duty at the time the rating decision is completed.

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Important:

• The decision maker must follow all standard rating guidance unless superseded by an instruction in the table above.
• The service member will not receive the rating decision while on active duty. The service member will receive the rating decision after being discharged when service has been verified.

References: For more information on

• service verification, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 1.B.2 and 3
• pre-rating review of the claims by the rating activity, see M21-1, Part V, Subpart i, 1.C
• review of evidence, see M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, 1
• decision making principles, see M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, 3
• determining SC, see M21-1, Part V, Subpart ii, 2
• completing rating decisions, see M21-1, Part V, Subpart iv, 1
• important items to consider when rating BDD claims, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.C.3.d
• the prohibition against review by representatives of rating decisions prior to issuance of a decision notice, see M21-1, Part I, Subpart i, 2.B.2.k, and
• promulgating and authorizing an award, see M21-1, Part VI, Subpart i, 1.A and B.

X.i.6.C.3.f. Automated VBMS STR Requests

For claims established as diaries, automatic STR requests are generated to the HAIMS system on the day following discharge for service members separating or retiring from the Coast Guard on or after September 1, 2014, and all other branches of service on or after January 1, 2014. If the service information is not complete in BIRLS as of close of business on the day following discharge, the automated STR request will not generate.

Pre-discharge claims processors need to ensure this automated request is generated for BDD and BDD-excluded claims on or after the day following discharge.

Important:

• If STRs were received prior to RAD, then do not wait for a response from the HAIMS STRs request to proceed with processing the BDD claim on the day following discharge, including promulgation and authorization of the award.
• Follow established procedures as outlined in M21-1, Part III, Subpart ii, 2 for obtaining STRs for prior periods of service.

Note: Upon establishment of a rating EP (non-diary EP), VBMS submits an automated request to the HAIMS system for service members separating or retiring from the Coast Guard on or after September 1, 2014, and all other branches of service on or after January 1, 2014.

Reference: For more information on generating an automated VBMS STR request for BDD claims, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.C.3.g.

X.i.6.C.3.g. Generating an Automated VBMS STR Request

Follow the steps in the table below to ensure an automated VBMS STR request is generated for BDD and BDD-excluded claims after the service member has been discharged.

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Notes:

• The only way to avoid an error or warning message is to ensure that the service member’s period of service in BIRLS is complete before the end of the day following discharge.
• Clicking on the REQUEST STR AGAIN button without entering a complete period of service in BIRLS will continue to generate the same error message.
• Do not delay other development actions awaiting the certified copies of the STRs.

X.i.6.C.3.h. Requirement for Verification of Service

The day following the service member’s discharge from active duty, NWQ will route the BDD claim for promulgation. Before the SOJ promulgates the claim, the SOJ must verify the claimant’s

• COD is other than dishonorable, and
• date of discharge.

A DD Form 214 satisfies the requirement for verification. If a DD Form 214 is not of record, the SOJ must use all available resources to obtain verification. These include

• Defense Personnel Records Information Retrieval System (DPRIS)
• Veterans Information Solution (VIS)
• STR Assist (if applicable), and
• service verified through data sharing with the Department of War, shown on the MILITARY SERVICE tab in VBMS.

Important:

• Do not request service verification, including the DD Form 214 until the day following discharge.
• Once service verification is obtained, update the military service in VBMS as indicated in M21-1, Part II, Subpart iii, 3.B.3.a.

Notes:

• If a COD determination is needed, the claim should be excluded from the BDD program.
• Service departments normally issue a DD Form 214 to service members at the time of RAD. Under certain circumstances, however, service departments may issue the form prior to separation. VA considers such forms valid for the purpose of verifying service information.

References: For more information on

• denying claims from service members who remain on active duty beyond the anticipated discharge date, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart i, 6.C.3.i
• service verification, see M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 1.B.2 and 3
• DPRIS, see the DPRIS User Guide
• VIS, see the VIS User Guide
• STR Assist, see the VBMS User Guide, and
• COD determinations, see M21-1, Part X, Subpart iv, 1.A.

X.i.6.C.3.i. Handling Claims From Service Members Who Remain on Active Duty Beyond the Anticipated Discharge Date

If service members remain on active duty beyond the anticipated discharge date, the SOJ must

• attempt to contact the service member to obtain a new discharge date, and
• follow the instructions in the table below.

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X.i.6.C.3.j. Verifying Changes in RAD or Receipt of Additional Evidence Prior to Promulgation of BDD Claims

Before promulgation, to reduce the need to rework the claim due to incorrect effective dates, verify that there has not been a change in RAD or receipt of additional evidence following completion of the rating decision using the guidance in the table below.

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Important: The goal of the BDD program is to provide a decision to the service member 30 days following discharge from active duty. In order to ensure this goal is reached

• NWQ must route the claim for promulgation the day following discharge from active duty, and
• the SOJ must ensure the claim is reassigned to another claims processor for action if the claims processor is unavailable to work the claim.