Enter your separation date to see when the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) window opens and closes, and the first-year deadlines that follow.
This tool only counts days. It does not file a claim or decide whether you qualify. Use the separation date on your orders, and re-check VA.gov before you file.
Source: VA.gov pre-discharge claims. Program rules change, so follow the live page if it differs from this one. Members in the medical separation process (IDES) follow a different path; ask your PEBLO and an accredited representative.
A printable one-page checklist for your 180-to-90-day filing window.
Your dates are only the start. The playbook walks the 180-day window and your first twelve months month by month: claims and BDD, healthcare, SGLI/VGLI, education, employment, and state benefits.
Affiliate link: I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Also available in paperback.
Claim Compass has free tools for tracking your timing and deadlines, plus a Pro plan to organize your whole claim.
Educational reference only. Not legal, medical, or claims advice. The Veteran Roadmap is not an accredited VSO, attorney, or claims agent and is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The Veteran Roadmap is an independently operated small business and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or medical advice.