Disability System Pilot Expands

Week of January 05, 2009

The Disability Evaluation System (DES) Pilot Program, launched in Nov. 2007, tests the new system developed in collaboration between DoD and VA. One goal of the pilot is to enable service to more effectively transition to veteran status and provide them with their VA benefits and compensation through a process that requires one comprehensive exam and one activity to complete the ratings, which are binding to both DoD and VA. The pilot was recently expanded to Fort Meade, Md., and Fort Belvoir, Va. The remaining 17 installations will be introduced to the pilot during a seven-month period from November 2008 to May 2009.