Effective October 1, 2017:
All pre-discharge claims filed on or after October 1, 2017, will now be catorigized either as a pre-dicharge claim (BDD or Benefits Delivery at Discharge claim) or a Fully Developed Claim (FDC).
In order for a separating service member to qualify to have their pre-discharge claim be processed under the BDD process, they must meet the following criteria;
If the separating service member submits their claim but does not meet the above specifications, then their claim will be handled as a Fully Developed Claim (FDC) even though the claim was submited prior to their release from active duty.
All pre-discharge claims submitted prior to October 1, 2017, will be handled according to the previous 'BDD/Quickstart" rules.
If you're a service member who meets the above criteria and would like to file a pre-discharge disability compensation claim before separation, you'll need to fill out VAF 21-526EZ and attach a copy of all service treatment records for all periods of service. Also if you have any dependents, you'll need to fill out VAF 21-686c and attach a copy of any birth certificates, marriage certificates and any divorce decrees from both you and your spouse nullifying any previous marriages. Then send all of this to your installation intake site.
If you're a separating service member leaving active duty from Europe, Africa, or the Middle East, you can send your pre-discharge claims directly to the BDD office in Landstuhl, Germany through the German/civilian mail to the following local address;
Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center
Department of Veterans Affairs
Gebäude 3724, Zimmer 110
66849 Landstuhl-Kirchberg
Germany
Ensure that you do send your claims packet via "certified mail with return signture receipt." You can also send your claims material via UPS as well as UPS does deliver to their office. Also their contact information for inquires are;
Tel: (+49) 6371-9464-8200
Email: germanybdd.vbapit@va.gov
If you're separating from the Korean peninsula the contact information for the Camp Humphreys, South Korea office is;
BLDG 6400, office V3014 next door to the SFL-TAP office
Email: KoreaBDD.vbapit@va.gov
Tel: DSN 757-2911 or 2912 or commercial (+82) 50-3357-2911 or 2912.