Exam Determination Tool (EDT) Prototype

Client: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Project Overview
While at Amida Technology Solutions I was tasked with designing a prototype for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs aimed at improving how staff request and schedule medical exams for disability claims. The result was a streamlined browser extension that helps reduce errors, save time, and improve service for veterans.

The Challenge
The existing process for requesting medical exams was manual and error-prone. Staff often submitted unnecessary or incomplete exam requests, leading to:

  • Wasted resources and increased costs

  • Scheduling delays and backlogs

  • Frustration for both VA staff and veterans

There was no seamless connection between the claims system and the exam request tool, which created bottlenecks and confusion.

The Solution
We designed a prototype for a Chrome extension that allows staff to:

  • Add contentions (specific conditions or issues that a veteran is claiming as service-related and for which they are seeking compensation) to the tool

  • Quickly access a new exam request form from the existing claims system

  • Determine whether a medical exam or opinion is necessary

  • Enter a veteran’s zip code

  • Send all data directly to the scheduling tool (ERRA) for the next step

This design helps guide users through a logical decision-making process while minimizing the chance of mistakes.

Screenshot of a medical or case management software interface with navigational tabs at the top, a main table of case details, a sidebar on the right with tabs for 'Contentions', a button to add VBMS contents, and quick links at the bottom for navigation and actions.
Screenshot of a medical record system interface showing a list of patient issues and a panel of VBMS (VA Benefits Management System) concerns with options to clear or go to ESA (Exam Scheduling Assistant).
Screenshot of Exam Scheduling Assistant interface showing sections for exporting issues, ESA summary, and related DBQs with instructions for each button and section.
Screen shot of a Disability Index Tool interface showing options to select disability questionnaires such as PTSD and MUSC Ankle Conditions, with buttons for saving, clearing, and deleting summaries. The right panel contains a section labeled 'Exam Determination Tool', with a drop-down to select disability questions and a button labeled 'Go to ERRA' for reviewing exam resource availability.
Screenshot of a medical exam request routing assistant interface showing options to search by disability with input box (11), enter zip code (12), and view VA hospital locations (13).
Screenshot of the VBMS Core system showing the Disability Evaluation form, including options for medical opinion and selected disability questionnaires. A side panel features the Exam Determination Tool with a Disability for asthma, its codes, and a button to export selected DBQs back into the main system.

My Role

  • Created UX flows and wireframes

  • Designed interactive mockups

  • Simplified a complex process into a clear, guided form

  • Ensured accessibility and ease of use in a high-stakes environment

Key Design Features:

  • Seamless navigation from the claims system

  • Clean, decision-first form layout

  • Manual zip code input for accurate routing

  • One-click data transfer to the scheduling system

  • Focused on clarity, speed, and reducing cognitive load

Impact & Results
While this was an early-stage prototype, the design has the potential to:

  • Reduce exam request errors

  • Cut down on unnecessary medical exams

  • Accelerate appointment scheduling

  • Improve overall veteran experience

  • Save time and taxpayer money