The Separation Health Assessment (SHA) is a single separation exam that serves both your DoD out-processing and your VA disability claim. It replaced the old redundant exams, so one assessment captures your complete health history on the way out. Part A is your self-assessment — and it's your one best chance to get every condition on the record while you're still in.
Straight talk first
Treat the SHA like the most important paperwork of your transition, because it might be. Part A is you telling the system everything that's wrong — every joint, every ringing ear, every sleepless night, every thing you've been "rubbing dirt on" for years. Guys blow through it in ten minutes and leave half their conditions off, then spend years trying to claim them later from the outside. What you write here becomes evidence. Slow down and put it all down.
This is the SHA deep dive; the overview is on file before you separate.
What the SHA is
The SHA is one exam that meets the needs of both DoD and VA — streamlining the handoff of your health information from active duty to the VA, improving documentation, and cutting the redundant exams veterans used to sit through. VA conducts the SHA for service members applying for disability through BDD or IDES.
The three parts
- Part A — your self-assessment. A medical-history questionnaire you complete (it replaced DD Form 2807-1). This is where you list your conditions.
- Part B — the clinical assessment. A provider reviews your Part A and your service treatment records, examines you, and documents findings.
- Part C — DoD only. Reserved for the DoD reviewer to confirm you're medically qualified for discharge.
How to make Part A work for you
Part A is required when you file a BDD or IDES claim — and it's the document that drives your exam, so make it count:
- List every condition, even ones that aren't documented yet — if it bothers you, claim it. See what to claim before ETS.
- Describe symptoms honestly and specifically — frequency, severity, what you can't do.
- Don't tough-guy it. Underreporting on Part A is the most common, most costly mistake transitioning members make.
The provider's Part B exam, with your service records in hand, then turns your self-report into the medical evidence VA rates from.
Key takeaways
- The SHA is one exam for both DoD separation and your VA disability claim.
- Part A (self-assessment, replaced DD 2807-1) is required for BDD/IDES claims — and it's where you list everything.
- Part B is the clinical exam against your service records; Part C is DoD-only.
- A thorough SHA becomes core evidence — don't underreport.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Separation Health Assessment?
- The SHA is a single separation exam that supports both your DoD separation or retirement and your VA disability claim. It replaced redundant, separate exams so one assessment serves both agencies and captures your complete health history on the way out.
- What are the parts of the SHA?
- Part A is your medical-history self-assessment (it replaced DD Form 2807-1). Part B is the clinical exam, where a provider reviews your Part A and service treatment records and examines you. Part C is reserved for DoD use to confirm you're medically qualified for discharge.
- Do I have to complete Part A to file a pre-discharge claim?
- Yes. The Part A self-assessment is required when you file a BDD or IDES claim. It's the document where you list your conditions, so it's worth taking seriously rather than rushing.
- Why does the SHA matter so much for my claim?
- Because Part A is your chance to put every condition on the record while you're still in, and Part B documents them with a provider who has your service records in hand. A thorough SHA becomes core evidence for your VA rating.
Sources
- VBA — Separation Health Assessment for service members: https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/separation-health-assessment.asp
- VA — Separation Health Assessment for service members: https://www.va.gov/resources/separation-health-assessment-for-service-members/
- VA News — Separation Health Assessment Part A now required on claims from transitioning service members: https://news.va.gov/117618/discharge-separation-health-assessment-part-a/
