A member of the armed forces within or outside of a service member’s official chain of command who exercises supervisory authority over the service member owing to the service member’s duty assignment and is authorized in accordance with this directive-type memorandum to make a referral for a mental health examination.

A medical impairment, mental disease, or physical defect which is severe enough to interfere with the service member’s ability to adequately perform their duties, regardless of assignment or geographic location. A medical impairment, mental disease, or physical defect standing alone does not constitute a disability. The term includes mental disease,...

A forum of VA and DOD senior leaders who work to remove barriers and challenges that impede collaborative efforts, assert and support mutually beneficial opportunities to improve business practices, ensure high quality cost-effective services for VA and DOD beneficiaries, and facilitate opportunities to improve resource utilization.

Full-time duty in the active military service of the United States, including active duty or full-time training duty in the Reserve Component.  Also called AD. See also active duty for training; inactive duty training.  (JP 4-05)

A U.S. Government attorney, representing the interests of the service member, who may be an assistant Staff Judge Advocate, General Schedule civilian employee, or contracted attorney paid for by the U.S. Government.

Information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual.

The name (such as “Boatswain’s Mate”) prescribed for service members in an occupational field.

Fundamental deductions, consistent with medical facts, that are so reasonable and logical as to create a reasonable assumption that they are correct.

A determination by the physical evaluation board of a service member’s ability to reasonably perform the duties of his office, grade, rank, or rating.

A senior medical officer, appointed by the Military Departments or DHA, who has detailed knowledge of standards of medical fitness, retention standards, and disposition of patients and disability separation processing and who is familiar with the Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The service member’s decision to accept or appeal the medical evaluation board or physical evaluation board findings.

The non-medical case manager who provides information, assistance, and case status updates to the affected service member throughout the DES process.

Calendar day.

For service members entering the DES, the MEB conducts the medical evaluation on conditions that potentially affect the service member’s fitness for duty. The MEB documents the service member’s condition and medical history with a narrative summary, sometimes referred to as the MEB report. The MEB is composed of at least two members. At least ...

Period of time when a case is halted due to actions or decisions beyond the control of the Military Department DES agencies or if beneficial to the service member.