Service members assigned to Fort Gordon may have various injuries and conditions from their military service that will leave them with lifelong impairments after they leave the military. Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides financial compensation to veterans with service-connected disabilities. One of the best ways that soldiers serving at Fort Gordon can maximize their VA disability compensation upon leaving the service is to file a BDD claim before discharge. The BDD (Benefits Delivery at Discharge) program lets service members submit disability benefits claims to the VA before discharge, which may help them receive monthly compensation soon after leaving the military rather than waiting weeks or months for approval of a disability benefits application filed after discharge.
Eligibility and the Filing Window
A service member can qualify for the BDD program if they know the exact date of their separation from the military. The program excludes certain categories of service members, such as:
- Service members with a serious injury or illness or a terminal illness, or who have lost a body part
- Service members whose claims will require VA exams in a foreign country (except for Landstuhl, Germany, and Camp Humphreys, South Korea)
- Service members awaiting discharge while hospitalized in a military or VA hospital
- Service members who require a character of discharge determination
Service members who qualify for the BDD program must file their disability benefits application between 180 and 90 days before their separation date.
How the Process Works
A service member can file a BDD claim online through the VA’s website, which can help speed processing. Alternatively,, service members can visit the local BDD intake site for Fort Gordon. An application requires a separation health self-assessment, copies of service treatment records from the current period of service, other applicable health records, supporting documentation (e.g., service records), and a DD Form 214 Member-4 or Service-2 Copy for all periods of military service.
In the BDD program, the VA can schedule compensation and pension exams before a service member’s discharge. Claims examiners can also review records and supporting documentation before the service member’s separation from the military, to issue an initial decision within 30 days after separation.
Why Filing Early Matters
Pursuing VA disability benefits through the BDD program can provide significant benefits for service members leaving the military. The VA prioritizes BDD claims for processing because service members can more easily access VA and DoD medical resources while still in the military. Service members who have their disability benefits applications approved through the BDD program can receive their first monthly benefits check within a few weeks of their separation. In contrast, a service member who waits until after discharge to apply for VA disability may have to wait months to get approved for benefits.
Frequent Pitfalls in the Filing Process
Some of the most common mistakes that service members make when filing for VA disability compensation through the BDD program include:
- Failing to submit complete medical or service records
- Missing scheduled compensation and pension exams
- Forgetting to file until separation is less than 90 days away
- Overlooking or underlying the severity of service-connected conditions
Contact Our VA Disability Benefits Firm Today
If you serve at Fort Gordon and have a disabling medical condition caused by injuries or exposures in your military service, you may have the right to receive disability benefits from the VA. Contact Coskrey Law today for a free case evaluation with a VA disability benefits attorney to learn more about the BDD program and how it can help you get veterans’ disability compensation more quickly after your military service ends.