Disability Evaluation System (DES)

On November 26, 2007, the joint Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense Disability Evaluation System pilot program was implemented in the National Capital Region.

The pilot has three goals:

1. A single disability exam(s) conducted to VA standards that will be used by both Departments;
   
   
2. A single disability rating by VA that is binding upon both Departments; and
   
   
3. Expeditious payment of VA benefits within 30 days of a member's separation from service.

The intent of the DES pilot is to enroll all service members who have been referred to a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) on or after the implementation date of a DES site. Service members already going through the traditional DES process will continue through the legacy system, and not be introduced into the DES pilot.

The initial phase of the pilot enrolls service members referred for an MEB in the National Capital Region (Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda National Naval Medical Center, and Malcolm Grow Air Force Hospital at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland).

Additional sites have been added to the pilot, to include:

Additional sites to be added are:

Additional consideration is ongoing regarding expanding the pilot to:

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Reviewed/Updated Date: November 8, 2009