It is extremely important that military members are in good physical health. This is why a board has been set up to evaluate the health of each candidate. The Medical Evaluation Board is responsible for determining whether an individual is considered fit for duty and what sort of disability rating is likely. This can be a very stressful process, which starts after limited duty.
A Medical Evaluation Board begins after a doctor documents a military member’s medical history, which includes their physical health and whether they have any conditions that interfere and/or limit their ability to serve their duty. The Board looks at how much such conditions interfere. In other words, this process includes evaluation of the service member to determine whether they meet the criteria for continuing to serve.
What Does a Narrative Summary Include?
After the Medical Evaluation Board creates a report, a Narrative Summary, often referred to as a NARSUM, is created. A NARSUM includes any ratable conditions referred to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). Once issues, the service member has three days to appeal this. In such a limited time frame, it’s generally in the service member’s best interest to have a lawyer who understands this process.
An informal PEB then decides whether you are considered fit for duty. You also have the right to appeal this decision via a hearing. Since the PEB could determine that your condition was not related to your service, it can be risky and there it is best to speak with your attorney first before doing so.
How Does the MEB Calculate Your Disability?
When it comes to calculating your disability, it can be quite complex. All calculations are made in increments of 10 percent. Those ratings that are above 30% will result in the inclusion of either the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL), or the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL). Whether you are separated from the military is dependent upon your rating. Additionally, whether your disability is considered temporary or permanent can make a big difference in the outcome. If it is ruled temporary, you must be evaluated every 18 months in order to decide whether your condition has improved or gone away altogether.
The Court-Martial Law Division of Aviso Law LLC Helps Military Members in Colorado Who Are Dealing with a Medical Evaluation Board
The U.S. Government has an interest in determining your disability status as soon as possible. That is why it is so important to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced military attorney as soon as possible.If you are a military service member (active or reserve) and are dealing with a Medical Evaluation Board, the Court-Martial Law Division of Aviso Law LLC can help. We proudly serve our military members, who sacrifice so much for our country. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today!
