The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced that it is expanding a disability evaluation system pilot project that was started in the National Capital Region in coordination with DoD, saying all military services will now take part.
The pilot is for wounded service members leaving the military and is intended to provide easier, quicker access to benefits. An internal review found that the pilot met "timeliness, effectiveness, transparency, and customer and stakeholder satisfaction objectives," according to Sam Retherford, director of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
It was launched in November 2007 for disability cases originating at the three major military treatment facilities in the national capitol region. To date, over 700 service members have participated in the pilot over the last ten months.
The initial phase of the expansion started on October 1, with Fort Meade, Md. and Fort Belvoir, Va.
The remaining 17 installations will begin upon completion of site preparations and personnel orientation and training, during an 8-month period from November 2008 to May 2009.