Disability Evaluation System (DES)

Background

The purpose of the DES is to maintain a fit and vital force. Each of the military Services is responsible for assuring the fitness of its Service members and separating or retiring those who become unfit to continue military service because of physical disability. The law provides benefits for eligible Service members whose military service is cut short due to a service-related disability incurred in the line of duty.

According to DoD regulations, the DES should include a medical evaluation board (MEB), a physical evaluation board (PEB), an appellate review process, and a final disposition. Service members should be assigned a Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) to help them navigate the system.

When it is determined that a service member can no longer perform the duties of his or her office, grade, rank, or rating due to disability, that service member is evaluated by his or her Service's DES.

A pilot program for developing a faster and more consistent disabiity evaluation and compensation program and integrating the DoD and VA Disability Evaluation Systems was initiated in November 2007. On 30 July 2010, worldwide implementation of the resulting new program entitled the Integrated Diasbility Evaluation System (IDES) was mandated starting October 2010. The Office of Warrior Care Policy under the Department of Defense Health Affairs is responsible for oversight of the IDES.

Table of Contents

• Policies and Directives
• DoD/Joint Forces
• Army
• Air Force
• Navy/Marines
• Coast Guard
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Fact Sheets and Handbooks
• Forms
• Articles
• Education and Training
• Policy Research
• Related Links

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Policies and Directives

DoD/Joint Forces

• Disability Evaluation System Pilot Program


• Memorandum of Agreement between Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and Department of Defense (DoD), Expansion of the DoD/VA Integrated Pilot Disability Evaluation System (IPDES) Providing a Single Evaluation/Transition Medical Examination and Single Source Disability Rating, 16 Jan 09
  (This Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) supersedes a previous MOA, dated 6 Nov 07.)



• Report to Congress on the Assessment of Consolidation of Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Evaluation Systems, Prepared by Wounded, Ill and Injured Overarching Integrated Product Team.
  (This report summarizes the status of the ongoing DoD and VA Senior Oversight Committee (SOC) effort to jointly develop and test an improved Disability Evaluation System process that consolidates the Departments’ disability systems to the degree allowed by current law.)



• Defense Health Board Presentation, Disability Evaluation System Status Update, 23 Apr 08



• Disability Evaluation System
  
  
  • Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) 11-015, Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), 19 Dec 11 (This DTM establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for the IDES, which is superseding the legacy Disability Evaluation System (DES).)
  
  
  • HA Policy 11-012, Health Affairs Policy for Referral Management of Disability Compensation and Pension Examinations in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, 30 Aug 11
  
  
  
  • VA-DoD Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), Processing Payment for Disability Compensation and Pension Examinations in the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, 16 Jun 10
  
  
  
  • DoDI 1300.24, Recovery Coordination Program (RCP), 1 Dec 09 (This Instruction establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes uniform guidelines, procedures, and standards for improvements to the care, management, and transition of recovering Service members (RSMs) across the Military Departments. It also establishes the RCP evaluation process to provide for a coordinated review of the policies, procedures, and issues of the program.)
  
  
  
  • Under Secretary of Defense (USD) Memorandum, Expedited DES Process for Members with Catastrophic Conditions and Combat-Related Causes, 6 Jan 09
    (This memorandum establishes policy that allows the Secretary concerned to expedite a member through the Disability Evaluation System. The expedited DES process is a special benefit to those Service members who sustain catastrophic injuries or illnesses from combat or combat-related operations as defined in this policy.)
  
  
  
  • Disability Advisory Council (DAC) Charter, 24 Sep 08
    (Pursuant to DoD Directive 1332.18, Separation or Retirement for Physical Disability, this revised Charter continues the DoD Disability Advisory Council (DAC) established in 1999. The DAC is the focal point for reviewing proposed changes to the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) for DoD and providing the VA with comments and recommendations.)
  
  
  
  • Under Secretary of Defense (USD) Memorandum, Policy Memorandum on Implementing Disability-Related Provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 (Pub 1. 110-181), 14 Oct 08
    (This policy memorandum provides supplemental and clarifying guidance on implementing those disability-related provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which are time-sensitive and impact immediate decisions pertaining to the rating of conditions and the operations of medical and physical evaluation boards.)
  
  
  
  • Under Secretary of Defense (USD) Memorandum, Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) on Implementing Disability-Related Provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 (Pub L. I 10-181),
    13 Mar 08
    (This DTM provides supplemental and clarifying guidance on implementing those disability-related provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008, which are time-sensitive and impact immediate decisions pertaining to the rating of conditions and the calculation of separation severance pay.)
  
  
  
  • Under Secretary of Defense (USD) Memorandum, Directive-Type Memoranda (DTM) on Standards for Determining Unfitness Due to Medical Impairment (Deployability), 19 Dec 07
    (This DTM provides supplemental and clarifying guidance on standards for determining unfitness due to medical impairment within the Disability Evaluation System. It supplements DoD Instruction 1332.38, Physical Disability Evaluation, 14 Nov 96. The change promulgated by this memorandum is the revision of guidance pertaining to the use of "deployablity" for medical separations.)
  
  
  
  • Under Secretary of Defense (USD) Memorandum, Policy Guidance for the Disability Evaluation System and Establishment of Recurring Directive-Type Memoranda, 3 May 07
    (This directive-type memorandum establishes updated DoD guidance for the overall management of the Disability Evaluation System. It supplements DoD Directive 1332.18, Separation or Retirement for Physical Disability, 4 Nov 96.)
  
  
  
  • DoDI 6040.44 Lead DoD Component for the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR), 27 Jun 08, Incorporating Change 1, 2 Jun 09. Incorporating Change 1, 2 Jun 09. (The purpose of the PDBR is to reassess the accuracy and fairness of the combined disability ratings assigned Service members who were discharged as unfit for continued military service by the Military Departments with a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less and were not found to be eligible for retirement. To that end, the PDBR shall review the combined disability ratings assigned individuals covered by this Instruction upon the individuals’ request or upon its own motion and, where appropriate, recommend that the Military Departments correct discrepancies and errors in such ratings.)
  
  
  • Military Health System Physical Disability Board of Review Web Page
  
  
  • Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) Questions and Answers, Jun 08
  
  
  
  • DoD Directive (DoDD) 1332.18 Separation or Retirement for Physical Disability, 4 Nov 96 Certified current as of 1 Dec 03 (This Directive: reissues DoDD 1332.18 to update policy and responsibilities for separation or retirement for physical disability and related determinations; incorporates policy and responsibility for conduct of Ready Reserve physical examinations and certification of physical condition; authorizes procedures under DoD Instruction 1332.38 and DoD Instruction 1332.39 for the DoD Disability Evaluation System (DES); and establishes policy for processing Active and Reserve component members who have conditions that are cause for referral for physical disability evaluation.)
  
  
  
  • DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1332.38, Physical Disability Evaluation, 14 Nov 96, Incorporating Change 1, 10 Jul 06 (This Instruction implements policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for: retiring or separating Service members because of physical disability; making administrative determinations for Service members with Service-incurred or Service aggravated conditions; and authorizing a fitness determination for members of the Ready Reserve who are ineligible for benefits because the condition is unrelated to military status and duty. It contains procedures for the Disability Evaluation System.)
  
  
  
  • Under Secretary of Defense (USD) (Personnel and Readiness) Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy Publications and Reports Web Page (Includes Disability Evaluation System documents)
  
  
• Identification of Need for Referral to DES



• DoDI 1332.14, Enlisted Administrative Separations, 28 Aug 08 (Establishes DoD policy, responsibilities, and procedures governing administrative separation of enlisted personnel from the Military Services)



• OASD (HA) Memorandum, Policy Guidance for Separation Physical Exams, 14 Oct 05 (This memorandum provides guidance for the administration of physical examinations for Service members separating from active duty.)



• DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1241.2, Reserve Component Incapacitation System Management, 30 May 01 (This Instruction implements policies, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures to authorize medical and dental care for members of the Reserve components who incur or aggravate an injury, illness, or disease in the line of duty and provide pay and allowances to those members while being treated for or recovering from a Service-connected injury, illness, or disease, or who demonstrate a loss of earned income as a result of an injury, illness, or disease incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.)

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Army

• Disability Evaluation System



• AR 40-400, Patient Administration, 27 Jan 10 (Chapter 7 Military Personnel Physical Disability Processing) (This consolidated regulation prescribes policies and mandated tasks governing the management and administration of patients. It includes DoD and statutory policies regarding medical care entitlements and managed care practices.)



• AR 635-40, Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, or Separation, 8 Feb 06 (This regulation governs the evaluation for physical fitness of Soldiers who may be unfit to perform their military duties because of physical disability. It updates policy and procedures resulting from the DoD Directive 1332.18 dated February 25, 1986; the reorganization of the Physical Disability Agency; the implementation of stream-lined procedures for case processing; and the passage of Public Law 99-661 as it relates to disability processing of Soldiers in the Reserve Components.)



• ASD (M&RA) Memorandum, Enlisted Separations on the Basis of Personality Disorder Policy Memorandum, 10 Feb 09 (Adds qualifications for separation of Soldiers who have served or are currently serving in an imminent danger pay area and in whom PTSD, TBI, and/or other comorbid mental illness are significant contributing factors to a diagnosis of personality disorder.)



• AR 600-60 Physical Performance Evaluation System, 28 Feb 08 (This regulation covers the and Physical Performance Evaluation System. It requires Active Army, Army National Guard of the United States, and United States Army Reserve Soldiers with a permanent profile containing a three or four in one of the profile serial factors to be evaluated by an administrative screening board designated as the Military Occupational Specialty/Medical Retention Board. This evaluation is to determine if Soldiers can perform satisfactorily in their primary occupational specialty or specialty code in a worldwide field environment.)



• Identification of Need for Referral to DES



• AR 635-200, Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations, 6 Jun 05 Rapid Action Revision 27 Apr 10



• AR 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness, 14 Dec 07, Rapid Action Revision 23 Aug 10



• AR 600-8-4, Line of Duty Policy, Procedures, and Investigations, 4 Sep 08  (This regulation prescribes policies, procedures, and mandated tasks governing line of duty determinations of soldiers who die or sustain certain injuries, diseases, or illnesses.)



• AR 135-381, Incapacitation of Reserve Component Soldiers, 27 Dec 06 (This regulation provides policies regarding incapacitation pay for Soldiers of the Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States and the U.S. Army Reserve. This regulation implements DODI 1241.2. Procedures regarding application for incapacitation pay are located in DA Pam 135–381.)
• Department of the Army Pamphlet 135–381, Incapacitation of Reserve Component Soldiers Processing Procedures, 22 May 08

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Air Force

• Disability Evaluation System



• HQ USAF/SG3 Memorandum, Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) Process Clarification, 9 Apr 08



• AFI 41-210, Patient Administration Functions, 22 Mar 06 (Chapter 10 Medical Evaluation Boards (MEB) and Continued Military Service) (This instruction implements AFPD 41-2, Medical Support. It provides requirements and outlines, activities, policies, and procedures for patient administration. It describes how to manage patient administration functions, including protecting medical information, managing health records, preparing and disposition of medical documentation and managing administration activities supporting patients.)



• AFI 36-3212, Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, and Separation, 2 Feb 06 (This instruction describes how to retire or discharge Air Force (AF) members who are unfit to do their military duties because of physical disability. It outlines procedures for examining, and discharging or retiring members from the temporary disability retired list (TDRL). It also provides disposition instructions for unfit members who remain on active duty in a limited assignment status (LAS).)


• Identification of Need for Referral to DES



• AFI 10-203 Duty Limiting Conditions, 25 Jun 10 (This instruction supplements profiling and duty restriction guidance contained in AF Instruction (AFI) 48-123V2, Medical Examinations and Standards Volume 2, Chapter 4, Profiles & Duty Limitations. It also supplements Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) requirements contained in AFI 41-210, Patient Administration Functions. This instruction describes how to communicate to commanders individual member restrictions due to medical reasons.)



• AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards, 24 Sep 09 (This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 48-1, Aerospace Medicine Program AFPD 36-32, Military Retirements and Separations and AFI 36-3212, Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement or Separation and Department of Defense (DOD) Directive, 1332.18, Separation or Retirement for Physical Disability, and DOD Directive 6130.3, Physical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment and Induction, DOD Instruction, 6130.4, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Armed Forces). It establishes procedures, requirements, recording and medical standards for medical examinations given by the Air Force. It prescribes procedures and references the authority for retiring, discharging, or retaining members who, because of physical disability, are unfit to perform their duties. This instruction applies to all applicants for military service and scholarship programs. This publication does not apply to Air Force Civilian Employees or applicants to the civilian workforce. This publication applies to Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Units and Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA). This publication applies to the Air Force Pre-trained Individual Manpower (PIM). This publication applies to the Air National Guard (ANG).)



• AFI 36-2910, Line of Duty (Misconduct) Determination, 4 Oct 02 (This publication sets guidelines for Line of Duty and Misconduct Determinations (LODs). It applies to all active duty members as well as members and units of the Air Reserve Component (ARC)--the Air National Guard (ANG) and the USAF Reserve (USAFR). It implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 36-29, Military Standards.)

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Navy/Marines

• Disability Evaluation System


• NAVMED Policy 12-001, Navy Medicine Policy - Exception to Policy Guidance for the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), 17 Jan 12 (This policy authorizes doctoral level clinical psychologists to sign Medical Evaluation Boards (MEB) that contain a psychological health diagnosis.)
• BUMED Notice 6320, Guidance for Implementation of Integrated Disability Evaluation System Exception to Policy of Standard Operating Procedure, 3 May 12 (This notice provides guidance regarding implementation of exception to policy that will exempt Initial Entry Training (lET) members from referral and enrollment into the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES).)
• NAVMED Policy 10-014, Navy Medicine Policy for Intergrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Site Certification and Implementation Readiness, 16 Oct 10 (This policy memorandum provides protocol for Navy IDES Site expansion certification.)
• NAVMED Policy 10-008, Policy Guidance on Operating Procedures and Processes for the Disability Evaluation System (DES) Program at Navy Medical Treatment Facilities and Non-Participating Medical Treatment Facilities, 4 Jun 10 (This policy memorandum provides guidance and establishes Navy Medicine policy and responsibilities for DES Program operations.)
• NAVMED P-117 Manual of the Medical Department (MANMED)
• Chapter 15 Physical Examinations and Standards for Enlistment, Commission, and Special Duty
• Chapter 18 Medical Evaluation Boards


• SECNAVINST 1850.4E, Disability and Evaluation Manual, 30 Apr 02 (This Instruction revises and simplifies policies and procedures for evaluation of physical fitness for duty and disposition of physical disability in the Department of the Navy)


• Identification of Need for Referral to DES



• NAVMED Policy 10-016, Implementing Required Medical Exam Before Administrative Separation for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), 10 Dec 10 (This policy memorandum provides guidance for implementing the required medical exam before administrative separation for PTSD or TBI.)
• SECNAVINST 1770.3D, Management and Disposition of Incapacitation and Incapacitation Benefits for Members of Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Components, 17 Mar 06 (This Instruction provides guidance for the management and disposition of incapacitation and incapacitation benefits for Navy and Marine Corps Reservists who incur or aggravate injuries, illnesses, or diseases during periods of active duty, inactive duty training, funeral honors duty, while traveling directly to or from such duty or training or while remaining overnight immediately before the commencement of or between successive periods of such duty and are therefore eligible for incapacitation benefits. The Instruction includes guidance for Line of Duty Determination.)

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Coast Guard

• Disability Evaluation System



• COMDTINST M1859.2D, Physical Disability Evaluation System, 19 May 06 (This Manual promulgates policies, procedures, and standards for administering the Coast Guard Physical Disability Evaluation System for military personnel throughout the Coast Guard.)


• Identification of Need for Referral to DES



• COMDTINST M6000 1E, Coast Guard Medical Manual, Apr 11 (Chapter 3 Section F Physical Standards Applicable to All Personnel (Regular and Reserve) For: Reenlistment; Enlistment of Prior Service USCG Personnel; Retention; Overseas Duty; and Sea Duty) (This Manual establishes Coast Guard medical and dental policy and instructions for the active duty and reserve personnel in support of Coast Guard missions.)

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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

• VHA Directive 2012-025, Acceptable Clinical Evidence (ACE) to Support the Compensation and Pension (C&P) Disability Evaluation Process, 17 Sep 12 (This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive defines the policy for responding to requests from Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) for compensation and pension disability evaluations and appropriate use of the ACE process.)



• VHA Directive 2012-021, Qualifications for Examiners Performing Compensation and Pension (C&P) Mental Disorder Examinations, 27 Aug 12 (This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive establishes policy for VHA clinicians and managers regarding the professional qualifications required to perform Compensation and Pension (C&P) examinations for mental disorders.)



• VHA Handbook 1601E.01, Compensation and Pension (C&P) Examinations, 13 Oct 09 (Veterans may submit claims to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) for service-connected compensation or non-service connected pension benefits. If necessary to adjudicate a disability claim, or if the Veteran does not provide sufficient documentation to establish a claim for disability compensation, a medical examination may be provided. This Handbook establishes procedures for administering the Compensation and Pension (C&P) Examination Program.).



• Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission Report, Honoring the Call to Duty: Veterans' Disability Benefits in the 21st Century, Oct 07 (Report of the Commission's study of veterans disability benefits.)

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Fact Sheets and Handbooks

• DoD Compensation and Benefits Handbook for Seriously Ill and Injured Members of the Armed Forces, 1 Oct 08(This handbook is designed to help Service members who are wounded, ill and injured, as well as the family members who are taking care of them, navigate through the military and veteran disability, evaluation, compensation, and benefits programs that are designed to help them.)



• Army



• Army Physical Disability Evaluation (PDES) Handbook, 16 Mar 07 (This guide answers a few general questions about the Department of the Army's Physical Disability Evaluation System (PDES) for Soldiers going through the process.)



• USPDA, Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) Frequently Asked Questions, 19 Mar 08 (This fact sheet from the US Army Physical Disability Agency provides answers to questions on the TDRL.)


• Navy Physical Evaluation Board (Web page with information on the informal and formal PEB.)



• Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits Fact Sheets for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities (Links to VA Benefits Fact Sheets for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities)

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Forms

• DD Form 294, Application for a Review by the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) of the Rating Awarded Accompanying a Medical Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States, Jan 09



• DA Form 7652 Physical Disability Evaluation System (DPES) Commander's Performance and Functional Statement, Dec 08
• US Army Physical Disability Agency Memorandum, Instructions for Completing DA Form 7652, Physical Disability Evaluation System (PDES) Commander's Performance and Functional Statement, 14 Dec 10

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Articles

• Army Times, New Disability Evaluation System Goes Worldwide, 29 Mar 11 (Article describes history and status of new Integrated Disability Evaluation System.)


• Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Pilot Overview Presentation, VA/DoD Joint Venture Conference, Oct 10


• VA Press Release, VA and DoD Announce Disability Evaluation System Pilot Expansion, 17 Nov 09


• DoD News Release, Defense Department Announces Expedited Disability Evaluation System Process For Combat Wounded, 22 Jan 09

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Education and Training

• Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Training Courses on MHS Learn (The courses provide training for medical providers, Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers (PEBLOs), case managers, unit commanders, and service members on the IDES process and provide continuing medical education credits. The courses can be found on MHS Learn (Military Health System Learning Portal) using the search term "disability evaluation system.")


• Introduction to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System for Service Members, Real Warriors Web Site (This presentation takes about 20 minutes to complete and provides an overview of the process, explains why service members are referred for disability evaluation, and describes what to expect at each stage in the process.)

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Policy Research

• Government Accounting Office (GAO) Reports



• GAO Report 12-676, Military Disability System: Improved Monitoring Needed to Better Track and Manage Performance, 19 Sep 12 (This report studies the extent to which DoD and VA are meeting IDES timeliness and service member satisfaction performance goals; and steps the agencies are taking to improve IDES performance.)



• GAO Report 12-846, VA Disability Compensation: Actions Needed to Address Hurdles Facing Program Modernization 10 Sep 12 (This report examines VA's progress in revising its rating schedule with updated medical and economic information; and the opportunities and challenges of various policy approaches proposed by commissions and others for updating VA's disability benefits structure.)



• GAO Report 12-718T, Military Disability System - Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Improve Performance, 23 May 12 (This report covers initial observations from GAO's ongoing review of the IDES, addressing two key topics: (1) the extent to which DOD and VA are meeting IDES timeliness and servicemember satisfaction performance goals, and (2) steps the agencies are taking to improve the performance of the system.)



• GAO Report 11-633T, Military and Veterans Disability System: Worldwide Deployment of Integrated System Warrants Careful Monitoring, 4 May11 (The report summarizes the results of DoD and VA's evaluation of their pilot of the IDES; challenges in implementing the piloted system to date; and DoD and VA's plans to expand the piloted system and whether those plans adequately address potential challenges.)



• GAO Report 11-69, Military and Veterans Disability System: Pilot Has Achieved Some Goals, but Further Planning and Monitoring Needed, 6 Dec 10 (This report examines: (1) the results of the DoD and VA’s evaluation of the IDES (Integrated Disability Evaluation System) pilot, (2) challenges in implementing the IDES pilot to date, and (3) whether DoD and VA's plans to expand the IDES adequately address potential future challenges.



• GAO Report 11-191T,Military and Veterans Disability System: Preliminary Observations on Evaluation and Planned Expansion of DoD/VA Pilot ,18 Nov 10 (This review specifically examined: the results of the DoD and VA's evaluation of the IDES pilot; challenges in implementing the IDES pilot to date; and whether the agencies' plans to expand the IDES adequately address potential future challenges.)



• GAO Report 09-289, Military Disability Retirement - Closer Monitoring Would Improve the Temporary Retirement Process, Apr 09



• GAO Report 08-514T, Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Improve Care Management and Disability Evaluations for Servicemembers, 27 Feb 08



• GAO Report 07-1256T, Preliminary Observations on Efforts to Improve Care Management and Disability Evaluations for Servicemembers, 26 Sep 07



• GAO Report 06-561T, Military Disability System - Improved Oversight Needed to Ensure Consistent and Timely Outcomes for Reserve and Active Duty Service Members, 6 Apr 06



• GAO Report 06-362, Military Disability System - Improved Oversight Needed to Ensure Consistent and Timely Outcomes for Reserve and Active Duty Service Members, Mar 06



• Army



• I Will Never Leave a Fallen Comrade – Final Task Force Recommendations to Better Fulfill the Army’s Duty in MEB/PEB, 29 Apr 09

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Related Links

• DoD
• Warrior Care Blog (Provided by the DoD Office of Warrior Care Policy whose responsibilities include Recovery Care Coordination (including National Resource Directory) and Transition Policy (oversight of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System). For questions or more information, contact WarriorCare@osd.mil)


• Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) (The PDBR was legislated by Congress and implemented by the Department of Defense to ensure the accuracy and fairness of combined disability ratings of 20% or less assigned to service members who were discharged between 11 Sep 01 and 31 Dec 09.)


• Real Warriors Web Site
• Disability Evaluation System for Service Members


• Understanding the Integrated Disability Evaluation System Page for Healthcare Professionals


• Army


• US Army Physical Disability Agency (USAPDA) (Web site of the USAPDA which is responsible for providing a full and fair hearing to each Soldier entering the Disability Evaluation System. The process includes determining the Soldier's physical fitness for continued military service; then, in accordance with law and guiding regulations, determining the level and type of compensation to be awarded to each Soldier found unfit; and finally, for each Soldier whose career is interrupted because of physical disability, taking the appropriate actions to separate or retire that Soldier.)



• My MEB/PEB Page on AKO (Provides Soldiers with information and the ability to track their Medical Evaluation Board/Physical Evaluation Board process.)



• Patient Administration Division, Medical Evaluation Boards Page on AKO (Provides information for healthcare providers on the medical evaluation board process.)



• US Army Human Resources Command, Line of Duty Guidance Web Page



• AMEDD Center and School Patient Administration Branch, Army Physical Disability Evaluation System (APDES) (Provides an overview of the PDES, MEB, and PPES; links to regulations, forms, PEBLO Counseling Guide; and PEBLO, MEB Physician and WTU Leadership training.)



• Judge Advocate General’s Corps Office of Soldiers Counsel (OSC) & MEB Outreach Counsel (MEBOC) (The OSC and MEBOC are a component of the local installation Office of the Staff or Center Judge Advocate (OSJA/OCJA) which provides legal counsel and representation to Soldiers undergoing evaluation through the Army’s Physical Disability Evaluation System.)



• Real Warriors Campaign, Disability Evaluation System Web Page (Information and links to resources on the military disability evaluation system.)



• DFAS, Military Pay: Wounded Warrior Pay Web Site (The Defense Finance & Accounting Office is providing a tool to help wounded warriors and those who are medically retired due to disabilities to understand how their retirement pay, Department of Veterans Administration compensation, and Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) are determined.)


• Navy



• Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards (CORB) Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) (Web site of the Navy PEB. The PEB is a fact-finding board that evaluates all cases of physical disability on behalf of the Marine/Sailor and the Service in accordance with the Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1850.4E (Disability Evaluation Manual). The PEB investigates the nature, cause, degree of severity, and probable permanency of the disability concerning the service member referred to the board. The board evaluates the physical condition of the service member against the physical requirements of his/her particular office, grade, rank or rating. The PEB provides a full and fair hearing as required by § 1214, Title 10 United States Code (10 U.S.C 1214), and makes findings and recommendations required by law to establish the eligibility of a service member to be retained on active duty due to fitness, or separated or retired from the service because of a physical disability.





• Disabilityinfo.gov (DisabilityInfo.gov is a comprehensive online resource designed to provide people with disabilities with quick and easy access to the information they need. It is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP))



• Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) Forum Web site (Developed by a former JAG officer in order to educate, provide information, and give a place for Servicemembers to discuss their concerns and questions with the Physical Evaluation Board.)



• Warrior Care Disability Evaluation Web Page



• Department of Veterans Affairs Web site

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