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Coming SoonClaims Guides
The BDD Playbook
How to File Your VA Claim Before You Leave the Military
$14.97Ebook (PDF)
Written by J. Erickson, a disabled Air Force and Air National Guard veteran and VA benefits educator with years of experience helping veterans navigate the claims process. No consultants. No upsells. No conflicts of interest. Just the information the VA never hands you.
Written by a disabled veteran
Plain language, step by step
Instant PDF download at launch
Actionable, not theory
The BDD Playbook
FWD Assist Publishing
Most veterans don't know they can file their VA disability claim before they leave the military, and many who do know don't understand how to do it correctly. The BDD Playbook walks servicemembers through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge process from start to finish: who qualifies, when to file, what evidence to gather while you still have easy access to your military medical records, and how to avoid the errors that slow BDD claims down. Filing before you separate means faster decisions, earlier effective dates, and a smoother financial transition.
This book makes sure you don't leave that advantage on the table.
What This Costs You Without It
Veterans lose thousands every year to the claims industry or to mistakes that could have been avoided with the right information.
Claims Company
$3,000-$6,000+
- Often takes a % of your backpay
- You don't learn the process
- Many are predatory -- no oversight
- Locked in with contracts
Going It Alone
$0 upfront
- Months of research on VA.gov
- High chance of preventable denials
- No strategy for evidence building
- Years lost to appeals
Best Value
This Book
$14.97 Ebook
- Plain-language, step-by-step process
- Written by a disabled veteran and VA benefits educator
- You learn, you own the knowledge
- No contracts, no percentage taken
Start with the free toolkit: 24 files, no purchase required.
14 guides and templates, 10 spreadsheets and trackers. Download them now and see how the book turns into action.
Browse the ToolkitWhat This Book Covers
Practical, specific knowledge you can act on the day you read it.
What the Benefits Delivery at Discharge program is and who qualifies
When and how to file while still on active duty
What evidence to gather before military records become harder to access
Common BDD mistakes and how to avoid them
This Book Was Written For You If…
- Active duty servicemembers within 180 days of separation
- Veterans who wish they had filed before they left service
- Transition assistance staff and military counselors
- Anyone helping a servicemember plan for separation
What Makes This Different
This is not another generic VA guide scraped from the internet.
Written by a Disabled Veteran
Not a marketing agency. Not a law firm. A disabled Air Force and Air National Guard veteran and VA benefits educator with years of experience helping veterans navigate the claims process.
Education, Not Representation
No conflicts of interest. No legal advice you did not ask for. No sales pitch for a $5,000 consulting package. You learn the process. You own the knowledge. You make the decisions.
No Subscriptions. No Hidden Fees.
The price on this page is the price you pay. There is no subscription, no premium tier, and no bait-and-switch. Buy once, own it forever.
Part of a 35-Book Library
Every corner of the VA disability system covered in plain language under one publisher. Claims, conditions, appeals, benefits, transition, and more.
The BDD Playbook
$14.97Ebook
This book is coming soon. Drop your email and we will notify you the moment it launches at this price.
Instant PDF delivery. No subscriptions. No hidden fees. Just the book.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We only send book launches and veteran benefit updates.
Common Questions
Straight answers. No runaround.
What format is The BDD Playbook available in?
The BDD Playbook is delivered as an instant-download PDF. You can read it on any device, print it, and reference it as many times as you need. No DRM, no expiration, no hoops.
Is there a refund policy?
Yes. If the book does not meet your expectations, contact us within 30 days and we will make it right. No forms, no runaround. We wrote these books to help veterans, not to take their money.
Who wrote this and why should I trust it?
FWD Assist books are written by J. Erickson, a veteran who built FWD Assist HQ to give other veterans plain-language guides for understanding the VA disability system. Every claim strategy, regulatory citation, and procedural step comes from real-world experience helping real veterans with real claims.
Is this just information I can find on VA.gov?
No. VA.gov tells you what forms to fill out. This book teaches you how to build a winning claim, what evidence the VA actually needs to see, and how to avoid the mistakes that lead to denials. The difference is strategy versus paperwork.
I already have a VSO. Do I still need this?
A VSO represents you. This book educates you. The two are not the same. Understanding your own claim means you can ask better questions, catch errors before they cost you, and make sure nothing falls through the cracks. The best-prepared veterans get the best outcomes.
I already filed my claim. Is it too late for this to help?
Not at all. If your claim is pending, this book can help you strengthen your evidence before a decision. If you have already been denied or underrated, it covers supplemental claims, higher-level reviews, and Board appeals. There is always a next step.
Free Companion Toolkit
Your free companion toolkit is ready. Download guides, templates, and trackers that turn this book into action.
Access Your ToolkitRelated Books
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The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Filing, Evidence, C&P Exams, Appeals, and Secondary Claims
$9.99$39
View Book After the DD-214
How to Navigate VA Benefits, Employment, and Finances When the Military Stops Paying You
$14.97$29
View Book The VA C&P Exam Playbook
The Complete Guide to Preparing for Your VA C&P Exam and Getting the Rating You Deserve
$19.97$39
View Book 
About the Author
J. Erickson is a veteran and the author behind FWD Assist HQ, writing plain-language guides that help veterans understand their own VA claims. Education, not representation. No hype, no claim sharks.
Learn More About the MissionMore from the Transition Series
These books work together. Each one covers a different angle so you can build a stronger claim.
After the DD-214
After the DD-214
How to Navigate VA Benefits, Employment, and Finances When the Military Stops Paying You
Learn MoreHow to Use VA Healthcare
How to Use VA Healthcare
The Complete Enrollment and Navigation Guide
Learn MoreThe Military Discharge Upgrade Manual
The Military Discharge Upgrade Manual
How to Upgrade Your Discharge, Fix Your DD-214, and Reclaim the VA Benefits You Were Denied
Learn MoreVA Disability Primer
VA Disability Primer
The First-Time Veteran's Guide to VA Disability Benefits, Service Connection, and Filing Your Claim
Learn MoreNew to VA claims?
Start with the VA Disability Primer. It covers the basics every veteran needs before diving into specialized guides.
This is one of 35 books covering every corner of the VA disability system.
Browse the Full LibraryDisclaimer: FWD Assist HQ and FWD Assist Publishing provide educational resources only. Nothing in this book constitutes legal advice, medical advice, or accredited representation. Always consult with an accredited VA attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Officer for personalized guidance on your specific situation.