New system improves support Published June 29, 2011 Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker Air Force Base service members referred for medical evaluation boards after today will go through a new Disability Evaluation System that integrates the processes of the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. The Integrated Disability Evaluation System provides a more seamless transition to veteran disability benefits with fewer hurdles, faster results and more consistent ratings between Defense and Veterans Affairs than the previous system. Under the previous system, service members completed the military Disability Evaluation System in an average of 10 months. This included a set of medical examinations by military physicians, a series of boards to determine if the member was still able to serve, and if not, assignment of a disability rating used by the Defense Department to calculate disability compensation. Service members could not begin to apply for disability compensation and benefits from Veterans Affairs until after receiving a discharge date from their service. It was then up to the veteran to complete an application to Veterans Affairs and provide all required documentation. If any documents were missing, it was the veteran's responsibility to locate them. Then, the veteran had to complete another set of medical exams in accordance with standards set by Veterans Affairs and wait for a panel at Veterans Affairs to provide another disability rating, this one used to calculate veterans disability compensation and benefits. This second process took an average of another eight months during which benefits were gapped. Under the new IDES, there is only one set of medical exams, performed to the standards of Veterans Affairs, which provides all the information needed by both departments. A panel at Veterans Affairs issues disability ratings that meet the needs of both departments. The integrated process still takes just over eight months, but now when the service member is finished with the military process, a disability claim is already filed with Veterans Affairs so veteran disability compensation and benefits can arrive after one month in veteran status. That is the earliest allowable under current law. In designing IDES, the two departments examined the recommendations of several commissions and task forces established to improve the delivery of benefits to wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. For additional information regarding the implementation of the IDES program at Tinker, call Staff Sgt. Roslyn Evans at 734-5844 or email roslyn.evans@tinker.af.mil.