Military Disability System: Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Improve Performance
Abstract
Since 2007, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have operated the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), which combines what used to be separate DoD and VA disability evaluation processes and is intended to expedite benefits for injured servicemembers. Initially a pilot at 3 military treatment facilities, IDES is now DoD's standard process for evaluating servicemembers' fitness for duty and disability worldwide. In previous reports, GAO identified a number of challenges as IDES expanded, including staffing shortages and difficulty meeting timeliness goals. In this statement, GAO discusses initial observations from its ongoing review of the IDES, addressing two key topics: (1) the extent to which DoD and the VA are meeting IDES timeliness and servicemember satisfaction performance goals, and (2) steps the agencies are taking to improve the performance of the system. To answer these questions, GAO analyzed IDES timeliness and customer satisfaction survey data, visited six IDES sites, and interviewed DoD nd VA officials. This work is ongoing and GAO has no recommendations at this time. GAO plans to issue its final report later in 2012.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA560331
Entities
People
- Daniel Bertoni
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office