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Determining readiness for duty

Integrated Disability Evaluation System defined

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The Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), a joint initiative between the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is used to determine whether a servicemember who has been injured, wounded or fallen seriously ill is able to continue their military service and return to unrestricted duty.

"This program is designed to look after servicemembers going through the transition process in order to best prepare them for what happens next," explained Rob Hard, external affairs manager for the Seattle VA Regional Office.

IDES is a part of the Army's current Ready and Resilient Campaign, which looks to promote and increase readiness and resiliency for both an individual soldier and the entire unit; that being said, there are similar programs for other branches of the military as well.

"We are trying to make this transition as seamless as possible for every servicemember, even though each and every situation is different," Hard said. "However, the length of time it takes for the military to reach that decision is going to vary by individual."

While a soldier must still undergo a Medical Evaluation Board Phase and a Physical Evaluation Board Phase, the process has been streamlined. The original system was inefficient, Hard admitted, and often left veterans more confused because they were given two separate evaluations and disability ratings through incompatible systems at the DoD and VA levels.

Under the revised IDES model, soldiers will now receive a single disability medical examination conducted by a VA-certified physician, and one disability rating to determine their fitness for duty and eligibility for DoD and VA disability compensation and benefits. The goal is to eliminate lapses and make the process faster and more efficient for the soldiers.

Soldiers are then presented with a single-source disability rating and even given the opportunity to appeal, all while they are still receiving their full paycheck, uninterrupted care and medical benefits.

"Most of the time what the VA proposes is what does wind up happening - with regard to their discharge and their disability benefits," he stated. "But the point is to get things in place so that the servicemember knows what their benefits will be, what their disability payment will be ... it can help them to plan ahead for the actual eventual transition and provide guidance as far as the next step."

The VA does prioritize the claims for those who are seriously injured and servicemembers who are separating through IDES. Medal of Honor recipients, former prisoners of war, the homeless, terminally ill and those experiencing extreme financial hardship will receive special attention.

"This allows us to work smarter, work faster and give better service as a result," Hard said. "IDES is to do as much of the process as we can while they are on active-duty so that there is no lapse and so that they can then focus on healing and moving forward." 

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