MedBoard & IDES Guide
Medical Evaluation Board & Disability Evaluation System
If you're going through a Medical Evaluation Board, understanding the process can mean the difference between a fair outcome and being shortchanged.
Section 1
MEB vs. PEB — What's the Difference?
Medical Evaluation Board (MEB)
The MEB is a medical determination conducted by military physicians.
- Determines if you have a condition that makes you unfit for continued service
- Reviews your medical records and current diagnoses
- Produces a Narrative Summary (NARSUM) documenting your conditions
- Refers your case to the PEB if conditions are found
- You can submit a rebuttal if you disagree with MEB findings
Physical Evaluation Board (PEB)
The PEB is an administrative determination that decides your fitness and rating.
- Determines if you are fit or unfit for duty
- Assigns a DoD disability rating for unfitting conditions
- Determines disposition: return to duty, TDRL, PDRL, or separation
- Informal PEB: Paper review — no hearing
- Formal PEB: In-person hearing with a board — you can bring counsel
Section 2
IDES — Integrated Disability Evaluation System
Since 2011, the military uses the IDES process which combines DoD and VA evaluations into one streamlined process:
1
Referral to IDES: Your commander or medical provider refers you when a condition may make you unfit.
2
MEB Phase: Military physicians evaluate your conditions and create the NARSUM (target: 30 days).
3
VA Examination: The VA conducts C&P exams for ALL claimed conditions — both the unfitting condition and any others you claim (target: 45 days).
4
Informal PEB: The PEB reviews everything and issues proposed ratings. You have 10 days to accept or appeal.
5
Formal PEB (if requested): In-person hearing. You can bring an attorney or PEBLO counsel.
6
VA Proposed Rating: The VA issues ratings for ALL conditions — both unfitting (DoD) and others (VA-only).
7
Transition: You separate or retire based on the combined DoD and VA determinations.
Key advantage of IDES: You get VA ratings for ALL your conditions before you even leave the military — no waiting months after separation.
Section 3
TDRL vs. PDRL
TDRL — Temporary Disability Retired List
- Placed on TDRL when your condition is not yet stable
- Minimum 50% DoD rating required
- Re-evaluated every 18 months
- Maximum of 5 years on TDRL
- You receive retired pay at a minimum of 50%
- After TDRL: permanently retired (PDRL), separated with severance, or returned to duty
PDRL — Permanent Disability Retired List
- Placed on PDRL when your condition is stable and permanent
- Minimum 30% DoD rating required for retirement
- No periodic re-evaluations from the DoD
- You receive military retired pay
- Eligible for TRICARE and other retiree benefits
- VA disability compensation paid concurrently (see CRDP below)
Less than 30% DoD? You are separated with disability severance pay (a one-time lump sum) rather than placed on the PDRL. However, your VA disability rating is separate and can be higher.
Section 4
CRDP & CRSC — Concurrent Pay
CRDP — Concurrent Retirement & Disability Pay
Allows military retirees to receive BOTH military retired pay AND VA disability compensation without offset.
- Requires 20+ years of service (or medical retirement with 20+ years)
- Requires 50%+ VA disability rating
- Phased in for 50-90% ratings; immediate for 100%
- Applied automatically — no application needed
- CRDP is taxable (it's the military retired pay portion)
CRSC — Combat-Related Special Compensation
Tax-free compensation for retirees with combat-related disabilities.
- Requires 10+ years of service (or medically retired)
- Disability must be combat-related (combat, hazardous duty, training simulating combat, instrumentality of war)
- Must apply through your branch of service
- CRSC is tax-free
- You receive whichever is higher: CRDP or CRSC (cannot receive both)
Section 5
BDD vs. MedBoard — Which Applies to You?
| BDD (Benefits Delivery at Discharge) | MedBoard / IDES | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Voluntarily separating service members | Service members found unfit for duty |
| Initiated by | You (voluntary filing) | Military (involuntary referral) |
| Timing | File 180-90 days before discharge | When a condition is identified as unfitting |
| DoD Rating | No — VA only | Yes — both DoD and VA ratings |
| Military Retired Pay | No (unless 20+ year retiree) | Yes, if 30%+ DoD rating |
| Severance Pay | No | Yes, if less than 30% DoD |
| Best for | ETS/EAS with known service-connected conditions | Service members who can no longer perform duties |
Going through BDD instead? See our comprehensive BDD (Benefits Delivery at Discharge) Guide for the full process.
Section 6
MedBoard Survival Tips
📋 Claim EVERYTHING. During IDES, the VA examines all conditions you claim — not just the unfitting one. File for every condition.
📝 Review your NARSUM carefully. Errors in the Narrative Summary can affect your rating. Request corrections before it goes to the PEB.
⚖️ Consider requesting a Formal PEB. If the Informal PEB rating seems low, you have the right to a formal hearing with counsel.
👨⚖️ Get a PEBLO and legal counsel. Your Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) is your guide. Military legal assistance is free.
🔗 Understand the two ratings. DoD rates only the unfitting condition; VA rates everything. Your VA rating is almost always higher.
💰 Apply for CRSC. If your conditions are combat-related, CRSC gives you tax-free concurrent pay — even with less than 20 years.