Disability Discharge
Coast Guard
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Contents
COMDTINST M1000.4 Military Separations (August 2018) Medical Boards
Comments: To view or download the complete regulation, click on the link to it in the box above these comments.
1.B.14. 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.B.14.a. 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:
(1) Patient’s status (held beyond normal enlistment expiration date or not).
(2) Date of admission to sick list.
(3) Whether the member concerned is physically qualified for discharge.
1.B.14.b. 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.)
(1) A Physical Evaluation Board has expressed the opinion that:
(a) The member does not meet the minimum standards for retention on active duty,
(b) The member is unfit for further Coast Guard service by reason of physical disability, and
(c) The physical disability was neither incurred in nor aggravated by a period of active military service.
(2) The member’s commanding officer and district commander concur in the board’s
opinion.
(3) 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:
(4) 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.
(5) 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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1.B.14.e. Character of Discharge
A member discharged for physical or mental disability shall be given an honorable or general discharge, as appropriate, under Article 1.B.2.f. of this Manual.
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
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.