WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 17, 2009) - The Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs announced Monday that a pilot program to streamline the Disability Evaluation System will expand to six additional installations in January.
The new locations will include: Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Riley, Kan.; and Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, Va. The expansion brings the total number of military facilities in the pilot program to 27.
"The decision to expand the pilot was based upon favorable reviews focusing on the program's ability to meet timeliness, effectiveness, transparency, and customer and stakeholder satisfaction," said Noel Koch, deputy under secretary of defense, Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy.
The pilot program includes a single, comprehensive medical examination for wounded warriors. It can both determine fitness to continue serving and provide a single-sourced disability rating.
Prior to the pilot program there was widespread concern that the existing evaluation process
was cumbersome, time-consuming, and confusing, according to VA and DOD officials. In the new DES pilot program, the more common terms will be streamlined, efficient, and responsive, they said.
The joint pilot program was designed to improve treatment, evaluation, and delivery of compensation and benefits. The goal is to ensure a seamless transition for the wounded, ill, or injured from the DoD to the VA system, officials said.
The DES Pilot initially started in November 2007 at three locations in the National Capital Region: WalterReed Army Medical Center, the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, and
Malcolm Grow Air Force Medical Center.
Based on the demonstrated capabilities of the DES Pilot, the DoD / VA Senior Oversight Committee determined that the program should be expanded incrementally over the past year. The other Army installations include:
- Fort Belvoir, Va.
- Fort Meade, Md.
- Fort Polk, La.
AcE+' Fort Richardson, Alaska
- Fort Wainwright, Alaska
AcE+' Fort Drum, N.Y.
- Fort Carson, Colo.
- Fort Sam Houston, Texas
"The pilot evaluation system is intended to shorten and simplify the process in order to improve overall care," said Sam Retherford, director, Department of Defense's Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management. "The program will also enhance benefits to servicemembers and veterans by creating a seamless transition to support their reintegration into the military or civilian community."
DOD and VA staff members believe making this process easier provides servicemembers with better options as they transition back to military service or into civilian status. Ultimately, reduction of the stress and confusion is a huge help to families, which takes a burden off servicemembers by allowing them to focus more on their recovery.
"Knowing their potential disability rating makes them aware of many factors which will be key
in planning their future, such as pay level and educational benefits," Retherford said.
"Streamlining our disability claims system and working closely with DoD to care for today's generation of heroes are among VA's top priorities," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "We will never lose sight of the fact that veterans and military personnel have earned their benefits from VA and DoD by virtue of their service to the nation."
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