Disability Evaluations

Defense, VA Reform Evaluation System for Seriously Injured Vets 02/24/09. Two years is much too long to determine service disabilities, especially when the injuries obviously qualify a service member for full benefits and compensation, a senior Defense Department official said Feb. 23. Until recently, that’s how long it took all military members to reach 100-percent-disabled status in terms of their disability compensation and medical benefits through the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Regardless of the severity of the injuries, all went through multiple medical evaluations and screenings first with the military, only to go through the same process again with VA, Air Force Maj. Gen. Keith W. Meurlin, acting director of the Defense Department’s transition policy and care coordination office, explained. Military Health System