VA/DOD PROGRAM OFFICE 

PHYSICAL EVALUATION BOARD 

Disabilities determined by VA to be related to your military service can lead to monthly non-taxable compensation, enrollment in the 

VA health care system, a 10-point hiring preference for federal employment and other important benefits. Ask your VA 

representative or Veterans Service Organization representative about Disability Compensation, Pension, Health Care, Caregiver 

Program, Career Services, Educational Assistance, Home Loan Guaranty, Insurance and/or Dependents and Survivors’ Benefits.

VA BENEFITS FOR SERVICEMEMBERS WHO ARE BEING 

CONSIDERED FOR MEDICAL DISCHARGE 

This fact sheet provides important VA benefits information for Servicemembers who may be 

medically discharged. To learn more about applying for VA benefits, or to locate the nearest 

VA office where you can receive personal assistance, please call us at 1-800-827-1000.

WHAT IS VA DISABILITY COMPENSATION?

Disability compensation is a monthly benefit paid to Veterans for disabilities resulting from injuries 

or diseases incurred or aggravated during military service. The amount of benefit varies based on

the degree of your disabilities and the number of your dependents. Receipt of military longevity or

disability retirement, disability severance pay, or separation incentives can affect the amount of VA

compensation paid. Generally, Servicemembers who are medically discharged are automatically 

considered for VA disability compensation as a standard part of their participation in the Integrated 

Disability Evaluation System (IDES).

WHAT IS THE INTEGRATED DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEM (IDES)? 

VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) developed IDES to improve the quality of service 

provided to Servicemembers who face potential medical discharges. By aligning VA and DoD 

resources, IDES has streamlined the disability evaluation process. IDES participants undergo a 

single set of medical examinations and receive a single-source disability rating, which serve as the 

basis for both VA’s and DoD’s disability benefit determinations.
VA/DOD Program Office- February 2015

HOW CAN I ENROLL IN IDES? 

To participate in IDES, Servicemembers must be referred into the program by their respective 

Military Service Department. Servicemembers do not submit applications, and cannot elect to 

participate in IDES. If you are referred into IDES, you will be assigned a Physical Evaluation Board 

Liaison Officer (PEBLO) and a VA Military Service Coordinator (MSC). Your PEBLO and MSC will 

provide you with further information about the IDES program. 

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR COMPENSATION IF I AM NOT REFFERED TO IDES? 

Servicemembers who are not referred to IDES, can submit applications for VA Compensation once 

they are within 180 days of their separation or retirement date, or at any time after discharge. For 

additional information and learn how to apply.

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT (VR&E) SERVICES? 

Servicemembers awaiting discharge because of a disability may be eligible for VR&E services. By 

developing an individualized rehabilitation program based on each participant’s specific needs and 

abilities, VR&E helps disabled Veterans attain suitable employment or achieve independence in 

daily living. See additional information about VR&E services.

WHAT VA HEAL TH CARE BE NEFITS AR E AVAILABLE?

VA provides free health care to veterans with combat service for conditions possibly related to

military service for a period of five years, beginning on the date of their separation from active 

military service. Additionally, one-time dental treatment is available up to 180 days following 

separation if you were not provided treatment within the 90-day period preceding your separation. 

VA health care is also available while on active duty in emergency situations and upon referral by 

military treatment facilities or TRICARE. Veterans with disabilities that VA determines are related 

to their military service are entitled to free lifetime health care for those disabilities and are 

assigned to priority groupings in the VA health care system. 
VA/DOD Program Office- February 2015 

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW ABOUT VA INSURANCE BENEFITS? 

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is low-cost life insurance for Servicemembers and 

reservists. Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a program of post-separation insurance and 

allows Servicemembers to convert their SGLI coverage to renewable term insurance. If you have an 

SGLI policy and are totally disabled when you separate from service, you may be able to keep your 

SGLI coverage for up to 2 years at no cost. Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

(TSGLI) is a disability rider to the SGLI program that provides automatic traumatic injury coverage 

to all Servicemembers covered under the SGLI program who experience certain severe losses due 

to traumatic injuries. If you have suffered such a loss, call 1-800-419-1473 to learn how to make a 

claim for the TSGLI benefit.