Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)
Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Morgan McGarvey (D-KY) introduced the Veterans Transition Support Act to improve the disability claims process for veterans. The bill would expand the Solid Start program to help transitioning service members file claims pre-separation and minimize interruptions in medical care and benefits.
Due to time constraints in a service member’s transition to civilian life, inconsistent education about filing disability claims, and difficulties accessing the necessary health records, veterans often face difficulties when filing for benefits and lengthy waits before receiving benefits. The Veterans Transition Support Act would amend the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Solid Start program by requiring that a VA representative contact transitioning service members 120-210 days prior to separation to coincide with their eligibility to file a VA disability claim through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. Filing a claim through the BDD program would ensure service members still have access to their medical and personnel records and enable the VA to rapidly deliver a decision. This bill aims to provide veterans with a more seamless transition and less of a coverage gap between exiting the service and receiving benefits.
The legislation is endorsed by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and Common Defense.
“Those who served deserve a disability claims process that is simple, efficient, and honors their service. But our veterans too often encounter barriers filing post-discharge VA disability claims and lengthy waits before receiving benefits,” said Rep. Beyer. “By expanding the Solid Start program, our legislation would encourage more service members to take part in the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program and file their disability claims early. This would streamline their claims process and minimize the gap between their discharge and when they begin to receive benefits. With this bill, we hope to ensure veterans receive the services and benefits they’ve earned without unnecessary gaps in care and support.”
“Our service members selflessly dedicate themselves to our nation – but unfortunately, I often hear of the challenges associated with transitioning out of the military,” said Rep. Ciscomani. “I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan, bicameral bill to streamline the medical and disability claim process to ensure our veterans have access to the care and support their service earned. By requiring proactive outreach prior to separation from the service, it is my hope that this legislation will help make the process not only smoother but also ensure veterans do not slip through the cracks and miss opportunities to apply for benefits that they have earned.”
“Our nation’s veterans face lots of challenges during the transition back to civilian life, but our commitment to them shouldn’t end when their service does,” said Rep. McGarvey. “That’s why we’ve got to invest more in successful programs like Solid Start, which eases the transition from DoD to the VA, and keep building up the arsenal of resources our vets need to be set up for success in civilian life.”
“The VFW supports the Veterans Transition Support Act to enhance the VA Solid Start Program by adding an outreach call to service members before separation from the military. As longtime advocates for improved transition support, the VFW believes this is a practical and meaningful step to better inform veterans of the benefits and services they have earned,” said Associate Director of VFW’s National Legislative Service Joy Craig. “The timing of the call would coincide with when service members are eligible to file expedited disability claims through the VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge program, ensuring access to benefits at the earliest possible moment. The VFW thanks Representative Beyer for introducing this important legislation and prioritizing a smooth transition for service members from the Department of Defense to the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
“The transition from military service to civilian life can be difficult for veterans who must overcome obstacles that hinder their ability to gain and sustain meaningful employment,” said DAV’s National Legislative Director Joy Ilem. “DAV is proud to support the Veterans Transition Act of 2025, which aims to improve this transition by mandating early, proactive outreach through the Solid Start program —as early as 210 days before separation. We applaud Representatives Beyer, Ciscomani, and McGarvey for their leadership on this vital issue that will ensure every service member gets the help they have earned.”
“Too many veterans fall through the cracks because the disability claims process is stacked against them from day one,” said Common Defense’s Deputy Director for Government Relations John Kamin. “Common Defense is proud to support Congressman Beyer’s Veterans Transition Support Act, which takes a smart, commonsense approach to make sure servicemembers get critical guidance before they separate—when they still have access to their records and can actually act on it. By strengthening the VA’s Solid Start program, this legislation will help veterans get the care and benefits they’ve earned without needless delays and red tape.”
Full text of the Veterans Transition Support Act is available here, with a one-pager available here.