VBA Medical Disability Examinations - MDE PL 108-183

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), administers the Compensation & Pension (C&P) Program for benefits for Veterans, their dependents and their survivors. Entitlement determinations for disability compensation claims and disability pension claims are made by VBA Rating Veterans Service Representatives (RVSRs) working in VA Regional Offices (VAROs) across the country. A medical disability examination (MDE) is a critical piece of evidence for determining the extent of permanent impairment and the dollar benefit a veteran is awarded.



Congress enacted the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 (PL 104-275) on October 9, 1996, which authorized VA to conduct a limited pilot program to contract for MDEs from non-VA medical sources. Under PL 108-183, Section 704, Congress granted VA temporary authority to contract out for MDEs, which is in addition to the authority provided in PL 104-275.



VBA has a requirement to provide MDEs from non-VA medical sources based on Public Law 108-183. The purpose of this requirement is to obtain high quality examination reports from responsible, responsive and experienced contractors. The examination reports must provide essential information to support each disability diagnosed for the various areas including, but not limited to, the following: musculoskeletal; organs of sense; infectious, immune, and nutritional deficiencies; respiratory; cardiovascular; digestive; genitourinary; gynecological and breast; hemic and lymphatic; skin; endocrine; neurologic; mental disorders; dental and oral examinations.



VBA intends to issue a solicitation during FY 2012 for MDE services in support of PL 108-183. Specific details regarding the requirements will be provided when solicitations are issued. An industry day may be scheduled and/or an RFI may be issued. If issued, the synopsis would be amended accordingly.



Please note that a pre-solicitation notice was previously issued on November 3, 2011. The prior notice can be found in FedBizOpps archives by searching under VA79812R0032, or at the following hyperlinks:



https://www.fbo.gov/spg/VA/AFMLOVASS/VASSMD/VA79812R0032/listing.html



The solicitation number has been changed from the original notice to reflect a new solicitation number. The new solicitation number is VA798-12-RP-0110. Any update regarding the requirement formerly referenced under VA798-12-R-0032 will be available under the new solicitation number, VA798-12-RP-0110.



The requirement, as synopsized under VA798-12-R-0032, stated that "VBA has a requirement to provide MDEs from non-VA medical sources based on Public Laws 104-275 and 108-183." The new solicitation under VA798-12-RP-0110 will not seek Medical Disability Examination services under Public Law 104-275; but will seek services under Public Law 108-183.