DoDI 1332.18 - Disability Evaluation System (DES)

Scope

DoDI 1332.18 establishes DoD policy and procedures for the Disability Evaluation System (DES). The instruction governs the evaluation of Service members whose medical conditions may render them unfit for continued military service. The instruction defines the Legacy Disability Evaluation System (LDES) and the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) processes, sets Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) standards, establishes disability rating rules, and governs separation or retirement for physical disability.

Audience

Unit commanders, S-1 admin specialists, and adjutants tracking Limited Duty (LIMDU) cases that transition to DES referral. Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) personnel initiating MEB referrals. Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers (PEBLOs) advising Service members through the DES process. MMSR-4 (Physical Disability Branch) at HQMC administering the Marine Corps DES program. Marines in a LIMDU status approaching the mandatory DES referral threshold.

Evaluation Tracks

Legacy DES (LDES)

The traditional sequential track. The Service executes the MEB, the PEB makes the fitness determination and assigns a disability rating, and the VA applies its rating separately after separation. LDES applies to cases referred before IDES implementation or to categories excluded from IDES.

Integrated DES (IDES)

The concurrent track initiated by DoD and VA to reduce processing time and post-separation gaps. The Service executes the MEB. The VA conducts its Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam concurrently. The VA assigns a proposed rating before the PEB convenes. The PEB uses the VA proposed rating in its determination. The Service member receives VA compensation on the day of separation.

Key Provisions

• MEB referral trigger. A Service member is referred to the DES when the MTF determines that the medical condition is not expected to resolve within the applicable retention standard timeframe. For LIMDU cases, referral typically occurs when the condition does not support a fit-for-full-duty return.
• Fitness determination. The PEB makes the fitness determination. A finding of fit for duty returns the Service member to duty. A finding of unfit for duty proceeds to disability rating.
• Disability rating. The DoD uses the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). A rating of 30 percent or higher and 20 years of qualifying service entitles the Service member to disability retirement. A rating below 30 percent and less than 20 years entitles the Service member to disability severance pay.
• Disability retirement versus separation. Disability retirement places the Marine on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) or Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL). Disability severance pay is a one-time payment and the Marine is separated.
• TDRL. A Marine placed on the TDRL is periodically re-examined. Stabilization of the condition leads to a permanent determination.
• Service member rights. Service members have the right to legal counsel, to submit a rebuttal to the MEB findings, and to appear before the formal PEB.

Connection to Marine Corps Policy

• MCO 1900.16 Separation and Retirement Manual (MARCORSEPMAN). Chapter 2 covers physical disability separation and retirement rules implementing DoDI 1332.18 for the Marine Corps.
• NAVMED P-117 Manual of the Medical Department. Medical fitness standards and MEB procedures.
• 10 USC 1201-1221. Statutory authority for disability retirement and separation.
• DoDI 1332.45 Retention Determinations for Non-Deployable Service Members. Adjacent retention policy.

Status

Active. Effective 5 August 2014, incorporating Change 1. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness sponsors. Distribution Statement A.