Physical and Medical Evaluation Boards
The Manpower Management Separations and Retirement,
Disabilities Sections within the Services are responsible for getting
our sick and injured service members fully fit for duty as quickly as
possible. They also assure that our disabled service members receive the
medical care and financial benefits they are entitled as a result of a
disability separation or retirement.
Functions:
Directs the administration of Manpower plans, policies,
directives and laws governing separation and retirement of both Regular
and Reserve components.
Oversees processing of all service members through the
DES (Disability Evaluation System).
Directs MEBs (Medical Evaluation Board) for fitness for
duty determination.
Conducts departmental review of all officer MEBs,
enlisted MEBs recommending subsequent periods of limited duty, and
enlisted MEBs recommending initial periods of limited duty longer than 8
months. Upon review, limited duty may be approved, or the MEB may be
forwarded to the PEB for determination of fitness.
Approves assignment to Permanent Limited Duty (PLD).
Processes MEBs and forwards to the PEB, if required.
Processes service members once a fitness for duty
determination is finalized by the PEB and issues orders that:
1. Return the service member to full duty;
2. Approve a period of PLD;
3. Discharge the service member with or without
severance pay; or,
4. Transfer the service member to either the Temporary
Disabled Retired List (TDRL) or Permanent Disabled Retired List (PDRL).
Disability References
Physical Evaluation Board
Is a Medical Board being dictated on you? Confused about
the process? You will need to be counseled by a Physical Evaluation
Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) located at your nearest Medical Treatment
Facility (MTF). Each service has representative to assist you in this
process.
Everything You Want to Know About Medical Boards
Personnel undergoing a medical evaluation board for
illness or injury normally have many questions concerning their status
and the board process. The following represent the most commonly asked
questions from personnel having a medical board:
1. What is a medical board?
A medical board is a document prepared by at least
two physicians who render a clinical opinion concerning your physical
and/or mental condition and your fitness to continue on active duty. The
signing of the "coversheet" documents that the two, or more, physicians
agree on the diagnoses and recommendations.
2. What can I do to ensure that my board
is processed quickly and smoothly?
You can start by inquiring into how the system works and
becoming comfortable with it. The first step is to fill out an
information sheet at the Medical Boards Service Office in order to
provide vital and accurate information needed in preparing the
coversheet of the medical board. The board cannot be processed without
this demographic information.
How will disciplinary action affect my
medical board?
Members pending disciplinary action cannot have medical
boards processed. If the board has left the hospital for the Physical
Evaluation Board (commonly referred to as the PEB), the PEB Office will
be notified of your legal status and the board processing will be
suspended pending outcome of the legal charges. If your board has not
been sent to the PEB, it will be suspended at this hospital until the
legal charges are resolved.
3. What are the possible recommendations
of a medical board?
A medical board will usually recommend one
of the following:
1. Return to Full Duty
2. Limited Duty - normally eight months, longer periods
may be recommended (up to 16 months). While on limited duty, at any time
you may return to full duty or be recommended for a Physical Evaluation
Board. Re-evaluation occurs approximately two months prior to the
expiration of your limited duty. Upon re-evaluation you may be
recommended for an extended period of limited duty, full duty, or a
Physical Evaluation Board.
3. Discharge / Unsuitability - for non-disability
diagnosis which existed prior to entry into the military service.
4. Discharge / Physical Disability - for disability
diagnosis which existed prior to entry and was not aggravated by
service.
5. Refer case to Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for
evaluation and decision regarding your physical disability and whether
you are fit or unfit for duty. If you are found unfit for duty, the PEB
will also make a determination concerning the disability rating.
4. How long does it take for my board to be
completed?
This question is difficult to answer since it depends on
many factors. Some of the factors which affect the processing time of
the board are as listed below: (1) time it takes your doctor to dictate
and make corrections to the initial board; (2) whether or not you rebut
the board after reviewing the board; (3) the time to prepare a rebuttal;
(4) time it takes to attain any records to be forwarded to the PEB; (5)
the number of additional clinics you are receiving an addenda from. The
approximate time for a medical board to be processed and delivered to
the PEB is twenty working days; rebuttals and/or addenda may add an
additional 10 working days to the process.
5. Do I have to sign my medical board?
Every member having a medical board MUST sign a statement
acknowledging that they have been informed of the content of the medical
board and indicating their intent concerning a statement of rebuttal;
however, signing your board does NOT mean you agree with the
recommendations or content of the board.
6. What do I do if I disagree with the
recommendations or content of my medical board?
First discuss the matter with your physician. Your
physician may alter things, which are bothering you or explain why
things are written as they are in the board. If your physician feels
that he/she cannot and/or will not change the board, you will have five
(5) working days from the date which you signed the board to submit a
rebuttal. In some instances the Medical Boards Service Office may grant
an extension, this is on a case-by-case basis.
7. How do I write a rebuttal?
Prepare the heading as follows:
From: Rate/Rank, First Name, MI, Last Name, Service,
SSN.
To: Director, Secretary (Service Components) Council of
Personnel Boards
Subj: MEDICAL BOARD REBUTTAL
You then proceed to write your rebuttal. You may be
rebutting the recommendations or simply some of the facts contained in
the medical board. There is no standard way to write a rebuttal, it is
recommended that you have a definite goal concerning what it is that you
want and then work towards that goal. Be as specific as possible,
addressing each point that you wish to make separately.
8. What happens to my board if I submit
a rebuttal?
After you have submitted your rebuttal, your medical board
and your rebuttal are returned to your physician for a sur-rebuttal
(response to your rebuttal). Your board will then go to the Convening
Authority for signature then to the Medical Boards Service Office where
your board is then assembled and forwarded to Service Headquarters or
the Physical Evaluation Board as appropriate.
9. What if I have no basis for rebuttal
but wish to stay on active duty believing I can still function in a
limited basis?
Service members who have greater than 18 years of active
duty, having been found unfit for full duty, may request to remain on
active duty in a permanent limited duty status until twenty years, day
for day, is completed. At the completion of twenty years, another
medical board will be convened to re-evaluate the status of the service
member' present condition. The board will be forwarded to Service
Headquarters for appropriate disposition. If your request for permanent
limited duty is approved, you will receive findings at the disability
counselor's office where you will accept under the condition that you
will be returned to permanent limited duty.
10. What is the routing of my medical
board?
It is dependent upon the type of medical board you are
receiving. For instance:
PEB:
1. You must attend DTAP class at the earliest opportunity.
2. Your physician and members of the board within the
department sign the board and make corrections.
3. You review and sign the board and make a decision as
to whether or not you wish to rebut. If not rebutting, proceed to #5.
4. By indicating that you are rebutting, you will have 5
working days in which to submit your rebuttal to Medical Boards Service
Office.
5. Upon receiving your rebuttal, your physician will
submit a sur-rebuttal (a response to your rebuttal).
6. The board will go to the Convening Authority for
signature.
7. After the Convening Authority signs the board and
concurs with the recommendations, the board will be assembled and sent
to the PEB, along with a copy of your inpatient and outpatient records.
8. The board goes to the PEB where a decision is made
concerning your disability.
9. Your findings are sent to the Physical Evaluation
Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) commonly known as the disability
counselor. The disability counselor will contact you to set up a time to
counsel you on what the findings are and what they mean.
10. You then have the option of accepting the findings
of the board or requesting a full and fair hearing for rebuttal.
For a Limited Duty Board:
11. Same first five steps as for a PEB.
12. A copy will go to your service record, one to your
health record, and the original will go to BUPERS or CMC to change your
status to limited duty.
13. Your PSD, upon receiving a completed copy of your
limited duty board will send a message to your detailer making you
available for orders.
14. At any time during your limited duty period you may
be returned to full duty or receive a PEB board. Your current Medical
Officer will make this determination.
For a Return to Full Duty Board:
Officers:
15. You will need to fill out a new information sheet.
16. Your physician will dictate a board with
recommendations for your return to full duty.
17. You will sign the board and indicate whether you
wish to rebut or not.
18. If you sign the board, it will then be forwarded to
the Convening Authority.
19. From the Convening Authority, the board will be
forwarded to the Medical Boards Service Office of the medical facility.
20. The Medical Boards Service Office will assemble and
forward the board to the appropriate service headquarters for review.
21. If the service headquarters concurs with the
recommendations, you will be returned to a full duty status and will be
eligible to receive orders.
Enlisted Personnel:
Your physician will re-evaluate you TWO months PRIOR to the
end of your limited duty and make a determination as to your physical
condition. Prior to this appointment, you should stop by Medical Boards
Service Office and pick-up a re-evaluation memorandum. If you are found
fit for full duty, your physician will sign the memo and have you return
it to Medical Boards Service Office prior to departing the Medical
Center.
The Medical Boards Services Office will make a copy of
the memo for you and we will send a message to your command and PSD or
Admin requesting that they return you to full duty.
11. If I am getting a medical board, when
may I return to my duty station?
The answer to this question is varied and dependent upon
the situation.
12. How long does it take the PEB to act
on my medical board?
This question is also difficult to answer because there are
many things that may affect the time it takes for the PEB to forward
your findings to the PEBLO. The approximate time for findings to be
received has been up to eight weeks.
13. Can I take leave with a medical board
for PEB pending?
You may take leave with a PEB board pending with the
understanding that, should findings to your board be received by the
disability counselor while you are on leave, you will be contacted and
must return IMMEDIATELY to sign the findings. Your leave is also
dependent upon your physician's approval.
14. What if I disagree with the PEB
findings?
If you disagree with the PEB findings you may rebut. The
disability counselor will give you time to think about your decision
concerning the findings. A good source to contact is the Disabled
American Veterans in Washington to discuss your disability rating. You
may submit a written rebuttal to the PEB outlining your objections and
providing pertinent information that supports your opinion in your
rebuttal, demand/request a formal hearing if the PEB does not reverse
its original findings. If you rebut your findings and the PEB does not
reverse the findings, your case will be referred to a formal hearing.
When your case is referred to a formal hearing, you will be provided
legal counsel, whom you may utilize or you can provide your own legal
advisor at your own out-of-pocket expense.
15. Who is my disability counselor or
PEBLO?
Your disability counselor or PEBLO will be assigned to you
once your paperwork is submitted for the PEB.
16. If I am having a medical board
recommending separation from the Army, Navy or Air Force, when can I go
home?
You can go home only after you have received findings from
the PEB and have accepted them unconditionally. If your findings are
returned and you want to rebut them, you will need to await the result
of your rebuttal and possibly the formal hearing.
17. What happens to my leave if I go Home
Awaiting Orders?
Your leave will be used up until exhausted as if on
terminal leave. When all of your leave is used up, you will remain at
home without being charged for any more leave. While HAO, you will
receive full pay and allowances until separated from the service.
Other Links to Information on MEB and PEB
Processes:
ARMY:
http://louisvillelaw.com/federal/physical_disability_sep_1.htm
http://www.jagcnet.army.mil/jagcnetinternet/homepages/ac/armylawyer.nsf/0/
5d1aa45be6ffc35a85256e5b0054d7c5/$file/note20from%20the%20field.pdf
0/5d1aa45be6ffc35a85256e5b0054d7c5/$FILE/Note%20from%20the%20Field.pdf
http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1991/48648/
Navy:
http://www.bethesda.med.navy.mil/Patient/Patient_Support_Services/
Patient_Administration/Medical_Boards.aspx
http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1228/MR1228.ch1.pdf
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/testimony/personnel/hoewing050303.txt
Air Force:
http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/disability/CRSC/CRSCnew.htm