People join the United States military as a way to support their country and learn valuable skills. Most individuals who join don’t think that they’re going to be discharged before their contracted time is over; however, there are some instances in which they might be discharged prematurely.
One reason for a premature discharge is for medical reasons. This type of discharge means that they are unable to fulfill their job duties because of a medical or mental health condition.
Evaluations are necessary
The process of a medical discharge begins with an evaluation. The Medical Evaluation Board will review the medical records, treatment history and all physician assessments so they can make an informed decision. Their findings are sent to the Physical Evaluation Board to determine whether the condition should result in a discharge.
If the board recommends that the person be removed from military service, they may opt for one of these three medical discharges:
- Medical separation occurs if the person isn’t eligible for retirement but can’t continue serving.
- Medical retirement is possible if the person is 30% disabled and eligible for retirement.
- Temporary disability retirement is an option if the long-term impact of the condition isn’t known, but the person should have periodic evaluations for a final determination.
There may be times when the service member doesn’t agree with the medical discharge. They can work with someone familiar with these cases to determine if they have any appeal options. They should also learn how the discharge may impact them in the future.