Disability Evaluation System Speeds Claims

The Integrated Disability Evaluation System combines the military services' disability evaluation and that of the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits claims processes into a streamlined process to minimize the gap between service separation and VA benefits delivery. The program was introduced in 2007 as a pilot program and steadily expanded to full Defense Department-wide implementation at the end of September. The IDES provides a more seamless transition to veteran disability benefits with more consistent ratings between DOD and VA than the previous system. For more information, visit the (http://www.pdhealth.mil/hss/des.asp) Deployment Health Clinical Center website and the (http://www.army.mil/standto/archive/2011/02/14/) Stand-To! Website.