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PRE-DISCHARGE PROGRAMS

DISABILITY COMPENSATION

VA and DoD offer two specific pre-discharge programs that allow a Servicemember to 

apply for disability compensation benefits up to 180 days prior to separation, retirement, 

or release from active duty or demobilization, which can help you receive VA disability 

compensation benefits sooner:

BENEFITS DELIVERY AT 

DISCHARGE PROGRAM

Allows a Servicemember to submit 

a claim for disability compensation 

60 to 180 days prior to separation, 

retirement, or release from active 

duty or demobilization. To see if 

you qualify for Benefits Delivery at 

Discharge (BDD), see Requirements 

to Participate. 

QUICK START PROGRAM

Allows a Servicemember to submit 

a claim for disability compensation 

1 to 59 days prior to separation, 

retirement, or release from active 

duty or demobilization. To see if 

you qualify for Quick Start, see 

Requirements to Participate.

Disability compensation is a tax-free 

benefit paid to Veterans who are at 

least 10% disabled because of injuries 

or diseases that happened while on 

active duty, or were made worse by 

active military service. 

REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE BDD Program Quick Start Program

Do I have a known separation date? Yes Yes

How far away is my known 

separation date?

60 - 180 days 1 - 59 days 

When must I submit my service 

treatment records to VA? At the time claim is submitted At the time claim is submitted

When and where must I complete 

all phases of my VA/DoD medical 

separation examination process?

At your point of separation, 

prior to release from the military

At your point of separation or 

home of record either prior to 

or after separation

When may I apply? If you meet all of the BDD 

requirements above, you may 

apply for BDD 60-180 days prior 

to separation. See the Application 

Process section.

If you meet all of the Quick Start 

requirements above, you may apply

for Quick Start 1–59 days from 

separation. See the Application 

Process section.

Pre-discharge programs are time-sensitive and are offered to accelerate receipt of VA disability compensation benefits. 

The BDD and Quick Start processes, as outlined in Application Process, are identical. The only difference is when you are 

able to apply based on the requirements listed in Requirements to Participate.

FACT SHEET 21-11-01

!
ACCESS YOUR COMPENSATION BENEFITS SOONER 

VIA PRE-DISCHARGE PROGRAMS

You may submit a disability compensation claim at any 

time following your separation, retirement, or release 

from active duty or demobilization. Because processing 

times tend to be much shorter for claims submitted 

pre-discharge than after discharge, it is to your 

advantage to submit your disability compensation claim 

prior to separation, retirement, or release from active 

duty or demobilization. 

APPLICATION PROCESS

To complete your disability compensation application 

in either pre-discharge program, you will need:

» A known date of separation, retirement, or release 

from active duty or demobilization;

» Application form 21-526 (Compensation), if filing 

electronically via eBenefits, or application form 

21-526C (Pre-Discharge Compensation Claim);

» Your service treatment records (originals or copies); 

and

» To complete the VA/DoD medical separation 

examination process.

!

Compensation form 21-526

» Apply via eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov, your one-stop shop to apply for and learn about your benefits

Pre-Discharge Compensation Claim form 21-526C

» Download application form 21-526C from http://www.va.gov/vaforms/, or

» Call VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000 to have a claim form mailed to you, or

» Visit your local VA regional office. For the VA regional office nearest you, call VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000. 

VA representatives on military installations and Veterans Service Organizations are available to assist in filing a pre-discharge claim.

STEP 1 Obtain and complete VA claim form 21-526 via your eBenefits account VA claim form 21-526C or

 

If using eBenefits

» Submit your application and follow the instructions about where to submit your service treatment records 

(originals or copies)

If not filing online 

» Deliver your application and service treatment records to your VA intake site on a military installation, or 

» Mail, fax, or deliver them to your VA regional office, or

» Bring them to your demobilization briefing scheduled by your National Guard or Reserve unit.

STEP 2 File application and submit service treatment records

For More Information about Pre-Discharge Programs

» Go to eBenefits at www.ebenefits.va.gov, your one-stop shop to apply for and learn about your benefits,

» Visit our Web site located at www.vba.va.gov/predischarge,

» Call VA’s toll free number at 1-800-827-1000,

» Visit the nearest VA regional office. For the VA regional office nearest you, call VA toll free at 1-800-827-1000, and/or

» Contact your local Transition Assistance Office or Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) Center if you are on a

military installation, to schedule appointments to attend VA benefits briefings and learn how to initiate your claim. 

STEP 3 Attend and complete all phases of your VA/DoD medical separation examination process

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 (VSO) representative about Disability Compensation, Pension, Health Care, 

Caregiver Program, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services, Educational Assistance, Home Loan Guaranty, Insurance, 

and/or Dependents’ and Survivors’ Benefits. You can search for a VSO representative online at www.ebenefits.va.gov.