Enclosure (2) to COMDTNST 6150.1
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
AMONG
UNTIED STATES COAST GUARD, [UNIT ADDRESS]
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL OFFICE
[INCLUDE CITY, STATE]
AND
VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER
[INCLUDE CITY, STATE]
SUBJECT:
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR THE BENEFITS DELIVERY
DISCHARGE PROGRAM
1. PURPOSE. To establish the responsibilities and procedures of the U.S. Coast Guard, and the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office and the Veterans Affairs Medical
Centers (VAMC) to enable the VA to rapidly process disability compensation claims and
vocational rehabilitation applications received from Coast Guard personnel separating from
U.S. Coast Guard Units. This procedure is designed to also eliminate unnecessary patient
visits and improve access to needed evaluations for beneficiaries.
2. OBJECTIVE. To identify Coast Guard service members about to be separated, provide them
with comprehensive benefits counseling, assist them in filing claims for VA benefits, obtain
all relevant Coast Guard medical records, provide them with a complete medical
examination, and process the VA application(s) for benefits (to include a rating) before they
separate from active duty.
3. AUTHORITY. This agreement is authorized under the provisions of 14 U.S.C. 93 (u),
which allows the Coast Guard to enter into cooperative agreements with other Government
agencies.
4. BACKGROUND. In 1994, the Department of Army and the VA jointly initiated the
Separation Examination Test. The final report was published in September 1997 and
demonstrated that Department of Defense (DoD) and the VA can successfully perform a
combined separation physical examination. Based on experience, one separation physical
examination for service members should fulfill the requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard and
the VA.
5. PARTICIPANTS. Eligible Coast Guard service members are those between six months and
90 days of separation or start of terminal leave who wish to claim VA disability
compensation. The following members are excluded from participation in this program:
those separating pursuant to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) or Medical Board action;
and those separating with an other than honorable, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge.
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