Soldier → Veteran
Start the claim before you take the uniform off
Benefits Delivery at Discharge, TAP, and the VA.gov account are the handoff. Waiting until you are a civilian is how evidence walks away.
01
Open the VA.gov account while you still have easy records
Login.gov or ID.me, finished identity proofing. Do this before clearing. You will need it for BDD, health care, and the DD-214 follow-on.
02
File BDD in the 180–90 day window
Benefits Delivery at Discharge lets VA start the claim 180 to 90 days before separation. Miss that window and you are on the regular claim timeline with worse access to the aid station.
03
Show up to TAP with a list, not a vibe
TAP is not optional entertainment. Bring the portal logins, the claim number if you have one, and questions about GI Bill, health care, and records. The brief does not file anything for you.
04
Keep TRICARE / TAMP on a calendar
Transitional health coverage has a clock. Put the end date next to the VA health-care application. A gap month is a bill.