The United States Army has announced plans to standardize its disability evaluation system – the system through which it determines whether or not soldiers are fit for continued military service. Officials hope that these changes will help the Army’s system more closely match the Department of Defense’s Integrated Disability Evaluation System. Currently, military officials say the lack of a common sytem and an established process results in widespread confusion.
This week, a team of Army commanders gathered in Fort Bragg to discuss the standardization and take steps towards implementing the permanent change in the present disability evaluation system. Those participating in the meeting included the U.S. Army Forces Command, the Department of the Army G-1 Department, the United States Army Reserve Command, the National Guard Bureau, the Army Physical Disability Agency, and the Army Physical Disability Evaluation Board.
Those found unfit for service during the disability evaluation process will move on to evaluation by the Veterans Administration. Depending on their evaluation, veterans would then receive a disability ranking and disability benefits.
The Texas veterans’ disability attorneys at Morgan Weisbrod believe that more standardization during the disability evaluation process will add more predictability to the system and result in fairer decisions and results. If you are a disabled veteran in need of legal assistance, call us today to speak with a lawyer and get answers to your questions.
by Paul B. Burkhalter Managing Partner of Morgan Weisbrod , Board Certified in Social Security Disability Law.