Service members who have been medically separated since September 11, 2001
will have the opportunity to have their disability ratings reviewed to ensure
fairness and accuracy.
The new Physical Disability Board of Review
(PDBR) will examine each applicant’s medical separation, compare DoD and VA
ratings, and make a recommendation to the respective Service Secretary (or
designee.) A disability rating cannot be lowered and any change to the rating is
effective on the date of final decision by the Service Secretary.
To
be eligible for PDBR review, a service member must have been medically separated
between September 11, 2001 and December 31, 2009 with a combined disability
rating of 20 percent or less, and not found eligible for retirement.
There are significant differences between this new PDBR review and a Board
for Correction of Military (or Naval) Record (BCMR/BCNR) review. These
differences are outlined here and are also
in the instructions accompanying the application (form DD-294).
Source
While the Air Force is the lead for
the PDBR process, case tracking and reporting, a joint service board will
conduct the evaluation and review of each case. Applicants will not be able to
appear in person, but may include any statements, briefs, medical records or
other supporting documents with their application. After the document review is
completed and a final decision is made, each applicant will be notified of the
decision and any further information regarding a change of rating.
A
final version of the application (form DD-294) was approved on January 9, 2009
and is available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/formsprogram.htm (under
"DoD Forms Inventory 0001-0499"). Applications are now being accepted.
Please refer to the FAQ document for more information
about the Physical Disability Board of Review.
You may contact the
PDBR intake unit at the following address:
SAF/MRBR
550 C Street West
Suite 41
Randolph AFB, Texas 78150-4743
Please keep in mind that this office
cannot discuss the merits of your application. You may wish to contact your
local veterans’ service organization for advice or guidance.
The DoD
Instruction on the PDBR process is available here: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/604044p.pdf.
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