Disability Discharge

Coast Guard

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COMDTINST M1000.4 Military Separations (March 2023) Medical Boards

Source

COMDTINST M1000.4 MilitarySeparations (March 2023) Medical Boards (1284 KB)

Comments: To view or download the complete regulation, click on the link to it in the box above these comments.

Chapter 2 Enlisted Members

N. Disability. In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 1214, no member of the Armed forces may be retired or separated for physical disability without a full and fair hearing if he/she demands it.

1. Medical Board. A medical board shall be held in the case of an enlisted member when any condition listed in Chapter 3 of reference (c), Physical Disability Evaluation System, COMDTINSST M1850.2 (series), exists or competent authority directs. Reference (c), Physical Disability Evaluation System, COMDTINSST M1850.2 (series), contains procedures for the medical board’s report. If a member has remained in the Service with his or her written consent beyond the enlistment expiration under Article 1.B.11.f. of this Manual, the report shall clearly indicate the following:
a. Patient’s status (held beyond normal enlistment expiration date or not).
b. Date of admission to sick list.
c. Whether the member concerned is physically qualified for discharge.

2. Discharge for Physical Disability. Commander (CG PSC-EPM-1) may direct or authorize the discharge of an enlisted member for physical disability not incurred in or aggravated by a period of active military service through final action on a physical evaluation board under the following conditions: (See Article 1.B.14.c. of this Manual for an exception as it applies to recruits.)

a. A Physical Evaluation Board has expressed the opinion that:
1. The member does not meet the minimum standards for retention on active duty,
2. The member is unfit for further Coast Guard service by reason of physical disability, and
3. The physical disability was neither incurred in nor aggravated by a period of active military service.

b. The member’s commanding officer and district commander concur in the board’s
opinion.

c. The member has been fully informed of his or her right to a full, fair hearing and the member states in writing he or she does not demand such a hearing. This statement shall be executed using the following form:

d. Enlisted members will be discharged for physical disability not incurred in or aggravated by a period of active military service without processing before a physical evaluation board only if the medical board’s report clearly and fully establishes such findings.

e. If a medical board finds a member is disabled for mental disability incurred before enlistment without any service aggravation, the member will be ordered before a physical evaluation board unless the statement required by subparagraph (4) is supported by a medical determination that the member possesses sufficient mental capacity and responsibility to intelligently understand he or she has a right to a full, fair hearing and fully understands the import of the statement that he or she does not demand such a hearing.
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4. Character of Discharge. A member discharged for physical or mental disability shall be given an honorable or general discharge, as appropriate, under Article 2.B.6. of this Instruction.

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COMDTINST M1850.2D COAST GUARD PERSONNEL MANUAL (MAY 19 2006)--Overview of the Disability Evaluation System

Source

COMDTINST M1850.2D COAST GUARD PERSONNEL MANUAL (MAY 19 2006) (1.7 MB)

Comments: To view or download the complete regulation, click on the link to it in the box above these comments.

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CHAPTER 1. OVERVIEW OF PHYSICAL DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEM (PDES)
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D. System Process.
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1. Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). A member is introduced into the PDES when a commanding officer (or medical officer or higher authority as described in chapter 3) questions the member's fitness for continued duty due to apparent physical and/or mental impairment(s) and directs that an MEB be convened to conduct a thorough examination of the member's physical and/or mental impairment(s). The results of this examination, prepared in MEB format, should be as detailed as possible so as to provide a complete portrait of the member's physical and mental impairments for subsequent review.

2. Commanding Officer Endorsement. The MEB will then be sent to the evaluees unit for action set forth in articles 1.C.6 and 3.I. The unit commanding officer will prepare an endorsement. This endorsement shall reflect the commanding officer's observations of the evaluees working ability and any impact the injury or disease has on the evaluees ability to perform the military duties associated with his or her office, grade, rank, or rating. The commanding officer shall fully evaluate the more intangible aspects such as motivation and ability to adapt.

3. Evaluee Response to MEB. A copy of the MEB shall also be provided to the evaluee, who will be given an opportunity to comment on the report. To help the evaluee in reviewing the report, the evaluees commanding officer will arrange assistance by a qualified individual capable of explaining the meaning of the report and the evaluees rights.

4. Convening Authority Review. The commanding officer then forwards the entire record, properly endorsed, including the evaluees statement, if any, to Commander (CGPC-adm-1).

5. Commander (CGPC-adm) Referral to IPEB. CGPC-adm will then review the record and, if it is sufficient, refer the MEB to the IPEB. If an MEB is insufficient, CGPC-adm will hold the case in abeyance pending receipt of the required information.

Comments: "IPEB" is an Informal Physical Evaluation Board.

6. IPEB Action. The IPEB reviews the record of each case referred to it and evaluates the fitness and disability of the evaluee. IPEB findings and recommended disposition must be unanimous (article 4.A.6.). The findings and recommended disposition are initially only sent to the evaluee. If the evaluee elects counsel, the decision will be provided to the assigned legal counsel as well.
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Enclosure (1) to COMDTINST M1850.2D

Rating Principles. Disabilities are listed in VASRD diagnostic code number sequence. Instructions and explanatory notes are listed according to the diagnostic code number in the VASRD. Only those conditions which require special comment or those that have been the cause of misunderstanding in the past are included:

Comments: In the regulation, this list is followed by descriptions of some of the conditions. Complete descriptions of the conditions are given in COMDTINST M6000.1D, Chapter 3, Section F. 

5000, Osteomyelitis, Acute, Subacute, or Chronic

5002, Rheumatoid Arthritis

5003, Arthritis, Degenerative (Hypertrophic or Osteoarthritis)

5010, Arthritis, Due to Direct Trauma

5054, Total Hip Replacement

5055, Total Knee Replacement

5126-5151, Multiple Finger Disabilities

5171, Amputation of Great Toe

5200-5295, Ratings Involving Joint Motion (including the spine)

5205-5208, Absence or Limitation of Motion of Elbow and Forearm

5209-5212, Other Impairments of Elbow, Radius, and Ulna

5213, Impairment of Pronation and Supination

5214, Wrist, Ankylosis of

5235, Vertebral Fracture or Dislocation

5237, Lumbrosacral or Cervical Strain

5238, Spinal Stenosis

5239, Spondylolisthesis or Segmental Instability

5240, Ankylosing Spondylitis

5241, Spinal Fusion

5242, Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine

5243, Intervertebral Disc Syndrome

5251-5253, Limitation of Extension and Flexion of the Thigh

5255-5262, Defects of Long Bones of the Lower Extremity

5270, Ankle Ankylosis

5272, Subastragalar or Tarsal Joint Ankylosis

5296, The Skull

5297, Removal of Ribs

5299/5255, Hip Arthroplasty and Prostheses

5299/52xx, Dupuytrens Contracture

5301-5326, Muscle Injuries

6000-6092, Diseases of the Eye

6000-6009, Conditions Involving Structures of the Globe

6013, Glaucoma, Simple, Primary, Noncongestive

6029, Aphakia

6080, Field Vision, Impairment of

6081, Scotoma, Pathological

6090-6092, Diplopia

6100-6110, Impairment of Auditory Acuity

6200-6260, Diseases of the Ear

6200, Otitis Media, Supperative, Chronic

6207, Deformity of Auricle

6300-6354, Systemic Conditions

6309, Rheumatic Fever

6350, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic

6351, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

6354, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

6519, Aphonia, Organic

6600-6603, Diseases of the Trachea and Bronchi, and Pulmonary Emphysema

6721-6724 and 6731, Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis

6800-6802, 6811, 6812, and 6818, Non-Tuberculous Diseases

6814, Pneumothorax

6815, Pneumonectomy

6816, Lobectomy

6899, Sarcoidosis

7000 Rheumatic Heart Disease

7005-7006, Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease, Myocardial Infarction

7007-7101, Hypertensive Heart Disease and Hypertensive Vascular Disease

7007, Hypertensive Heart Disease

7015-7017, 7110, Surgical Procedures Associated with AV Block, Heart Valve

7099/7005, Aortic Grafts

7100, Arteriosclerosis, General

7114-7117, Peripheral Vascular Disease

7307, Gastritis, Hypertrophic

7308, Postgastrectomy Syndrome

7328-7329, Intestinal Resections

7332-7336, Ano-Rectal Conditions

7338, Hernia, Inguinal

7345, Hepatitis, Infectious

7347, Pancreatitis

7500-7531, The Genitourinary System

7703, Leukemia

7709, Lymphogranulomatosis (Hodgkins Disease)

7714, Hemoglobinopathies

7801, Scars, Burns, Third Degree

7802, Scars, Burns, Second Degree

7804, Scars, Superficial, Tender and Painful

7806, Eczema

7809, Lupus Erythematosus

7913, Diabetes Mellitus

8000-8046, Organic Diseases of the Central Nervous System

8017, 8018, 8023-8025, Progressive Muscular Atrophy and Myasthemia Gravis

8205-8412, Diseases of the Cranial Nerves

8510-8730, Diseases of the Peripheral Nerves

8599, Scalenus Anticus Syndrome

8910-8914, The Epilepsies

9201-9210, Psychotic Disorders

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COMDTINST M6000.1F COAST GUARD MEDICAL MANUAL (JUN 2018)

Source

COMDTINST M6000.1F COAST GUARD MEDICAL MANUAL (JUN 2018) (4.7 MB)

Comments: To view or download the complete regulation, click on the link to it in the box above these comments.

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