New disability evaluation system integrates DOD, VA processes Published June 13, 2011 56th Medical Group LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Team Luke service members referred for medical evaluation boards recently began a new disability evaluation system process. This process integrates the old legacy Defense Department and Veterans Affairs disability evaluation systems into a single process. The new integrated disability evaluation system, or IDES, provides a seamless transition to veteran disability benefits with fewer hurdles, faster results, and one single consistent rating used for both DOD and VA benefits. The IDES program reduces combined processing time from 18 months to 10 months average, alleviating gaps between military to VA benefits. Under the previous disability evaluation system, service members first met several medical examinations by military physicians followed by a series of boards. A DOD assignment disability rating was used to calculate disability compensation only. Service members were not allowed to apply for VA disability compensation and benefits until after receiving a discharge date from their service. Service processing took an average of ten months to complete. After separation, the veteran was required to complete a VA application along with another set of medical exams and boards in accordance with VA standards. Usually, the member had to wait for a VA panel to provide another disability rating used to calculate the VA's veteran's disability compensation and benefits. Unfortunately, VA benefits were often gapped after service for a period of up to eight months. Under the new IDES, there is one set of medical exams performed to VA standards meeting both the service and VA requirements. Now, one panel at the VA issues the disability ratings, meeting the needs of both departments. When the service member completes military service, a disability claim is already filed with the VA. The veteran can receive disability compensation and benefits as early as one month after veteran status, the earliest allowable under current law. For more information, call 56th MDG IDES representatives Trinece Cooke at (623) 856-9707 or Brigidann Minerva at (623) 856-9393.