MNG-034 · SEPARATION & RETIREMENT
Final Medical, Dental, SHA & BDD
Coordinate final medical and dental exams, Separation Health Assessment, BDD filing, service treatment records, and pre-discharge VA disability evidence.
BDD timing
VA currently requires a BDD claim to be filed when the service member has 180 to 90 days remaining on active duty, knows the separation date, and can complete required examinations. A completed Separation Health Assessment Part A is part of the process.
SHA pathway
- Collect the complete current-period service treatment record, including civilian care not already incorporated.
- Complete SHA Part A carefully and identify unresolved symptoms, injuries, exposures and treatment.
- If using BDD/IDES, coordinate the VA examination process.
- If not in BDD/IDES or fewer than 90 days remain, coordinate the DoD separation exam through the military treatment facility.
- Preserve Part A, exam results, dental record, STR export and addenda.
Official sources
- VA — Separation Health Assessment
- VA — Pre-Discharge / BDD Claim
- Military OneSource — Separation Must-Dos
Source status: SRC-086; SRC-087; SRC-089 verified October 4, 2026. Use current service-specific instructions when they impose a more specific requirement.
