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VA, DoD agree on single exam for hurt troops

A pilot program that introduces one physical exam for evaluation of wounded, injured or ill troops for continued service or discharge was formally agreed to Tuesday by the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs.

The program, first detailed in the Military Times newspapers late last month, consists of a single exam that will replace the two now required. It would be done to VA standards, and both agencies will use the results to determine either fitness for continued service or separation and possible disability compensation.

The pilot program will begin later this month at three Washington-area military hospitals: Walter Reed Army Medical Center; the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.; and Malcolm Grove Medical Center at Andrews Air Force Base, Md..

“This agreement commits VA and DoD to develop a single process to assess the medical conditions of wounded, injured or ill service members,” said Gordon Mansfield, acting VA secretary, who signed the agreement along with David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

“We will make it easier for these heroes to go back to their homes, with the key questions about their eligibility for VA compensation already decided,” Mansfield said.

Officials believe the length of time from when a service member is found unfit for duty until he begins receiving VA disability payments will be cut “by about half,” according to Bill Carr, undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy.

According to VA, the process “lays the foundation for building a network of qualified providers and resources that will meet both DoD and VA requirements and ease the transition of members from military service to veteran status.”