AR 635-40 (8 February 2006)...

Chapter 4
Procedures
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Section III
Medical Processing Related to Disability Evaluation
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4-9. Medical examination

The MTF commander having primary medical care responsibility will conduct an examination of a Soldier referred for evaluation. The commander will advise the Soldier's commanding officer of the results of the evaluation and the proposed disposition. If it appears the Soldier is not medically qualified to perform duty, the MTF commander will refer the Soldier to a MEBD.

4-10. The medical evaluation board

The medical evaluation boards (MEBD) are convened to document a Soldier's medical status and duty limitations insofar as duty is affected by the Soldier's status. A decision is made as to the Soldier's medical qualification for retention based on the criteria in AR 40-501, chapter 3. If the MEBD determines the Soldier does not meet retention standards, the board will recommend referral of the Soldier to a PEB.

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4-12. Counseling Soldiers who have been evaluated by a medical evaluation board

a. The PEBLO will advise the Soldier of the results of the MEBD. The Soldier will be given the opportunity to read and sign the MEBD proceedings. If the Soldier does not agree with any item in the medical board report or NARSUM, he or she will be advised of appeal procedures.

b. The decisions below are exclusively within the province of adjudicative bodies. Neither the PEBLO nor the attending medical personnel will tell the Soldier that

(1) The Soldier is medically or physically unfit for further military service.

(2) The Soldier will be discharged or retired from the Army because of physical disability.

(3) A given percentage rating appears proper.

(4) A LD decision is final (unless final approval has been obtained according to AR 600-84).

4-13. Referral to a physical evaluation board

a. The MEBD will recommend referral to a PEB those Soldiers who do not meet medical retention standards. Those who apply for COAD under the provisions of chapter 6 will be included. Do not refer Soldiers to a PEB who request discharge under the provisions of chapter 5. A Soldier being processed for nondisability separation will not be referred to a PEB unless the Soldier has medical impairments that raise substantial doubt as to his or her ability to continue to perform the duties of his or her office, grade, rank, or rating. Soldiers previously found unfit and retained in limited assignment duty status under chapter 6, or a previous authority, will be referred to a PEB.

b. A Soldier may provide additional information to the MTF commander to forward to the PEB. The information may be from the unit commander, supervisor, or other persons who have knowledge regarding the effect the condition has on the Soldier's ability to perform the duties of the office, grade, rank, or rating.

To view or download the complete regulation, click on the the link to it in the box above these comments.





This is from the Table of Contents of this 139-page document. Chapter 3 describes the conditions that may qualify a Soldier for a discharge for Disability. To see the detailed description of each condition, click on the link to the regulation in the box above these comments.


















































Chapter 5, Section 5-14 describes conditions that may disqualify a soldier for deployment. To see the detailed description of each condition, click on the link to the regulation in the box above these comments.

AR 40-501 (10 September 2008)

Chapter 2
Physical Standards for Enlistment, Appointment, and Induction
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Chapter 3
Medical Fitness Standards for Retention and Separation, Including Retirement
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Abdominal and gastrointestinal defects and diseases 3-5
Gastrointestinal and abdominal surgery 3-6
Blood and blood-forming tissue diseases 3-7
Dental diseases and abnormalities of the jaws 3-8
Ears 3-9
Hearing 3-10
Endocrine and metabolic disorders 3-11
Upper extremities 3-12
Lower extremities 3-13
Miscellaneous conditions of the extremities 3-14
Eyes 3-15
Vision 3-16
Genitourinary system 3-17
Genitourinary and gynecological surgery 3-18
Head 3-19
Neck 3-20
Heart 3-21
Vascular system 3-22
Miscellaneous cardiovascular conditions 3-23
Surgery and other invasive procedures involving the heart, pericardium, or vascular system 3-24
Trial of duty and profiling for cardiovascular conditions 3-25
Tuberculosis, pulmonary 3-26
Miscellaneous respiratory disorders 3-27
Surgery of the lungs 3-28
Mouth, esophagus, nose, pharynx, larynx, and trachea 3-29
Neurological disorders 3-30
Disorders with psychotic features 3-31
Mood disorders 3-32
Anxiety, somatoform, or dissociative disorders 3-33
Dementia and other cognitive disorders due to general medical condition 3-34

Personality, psychosexual conditions, transsexual, gender identity, exhibitionism, transvestism, voyeurism, other paraphilias, or factitious disorders; disorders of impulse control not elsewhere classified 3-35

Adjustment disorders 3-36
Eating disorders 3-37
Skin and cellular tissues 3-38
Spine, scapulae, ribs, and sacroiliac joints 3-39
Systemic diseases 3-40
General and miscellaneous conditions and defects 3-41
Malignant neoplasms 3-42
Benign neoplasms 3-43
Sexually transmitted diseases 3-44
Heat illness and injury 3-45
Cold injury 3-46
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Chapter 5
Medical Fitness Standards for Miscellaneous Purposes
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5-14. Medical fitness standards for deployment and certain geographical areas
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e. ... The following medical conditions must be reviewed carefully by the clinician before making a recommendation as to whether the Soldier can deploy to duty in a combat zone (or austere isolated area where medical treatment may not be readily available).

(1) Diabetes requiring insulin. ...

(2) Diabetes requiring oral medication for control. ...

(3) Cardiovascular conditions...the Soldier should not be deployed with any of the following conditions-

(a) Hypertension not controlled with medication.

(b) Recent episodes necessitating emergency room visits or closely monitored follow-up care.

(c) Permanent pacemakers, implanted antitachycardia and automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD) devices, ...

(d) Conditions requiring anticoagulants.

(e) Bare metal coronary stents. ...

(f) Drug eluting coronary stents. ...

(g) Closure device for patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect. ...

(h) Cardiac arrhythmias. ...

(i) Smallpox vaccine associated myocarditis. ...

(4) Neurological conditions. Review paragraph 3-30 for profile guidance and MEB/PEB processing criteria.

(a) Seizure disorders. ...

(b) Demyelinating conditions.

(5) Asthma.

(6) Sleep apnea.

(7) Musculoskeletal.

(8) Psychiatric.

(a) A psychiatric condition controlled by medication should not automatically lead to nondeployment. Soldiers with a controlled psychiatric illness can still deploy. ...

(b) Medications that may be used safely in theater include selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and sleep medications. In general, anti-manic and anti-psychotic medications should not be used in theater because of their sideeffects.

(9) History of heat injuries.

(10) Pregnancy. Pregnant Soldiers will not deploy.

(11) History of cancer. ...

(12) Chronic infectious diseases (HIV, Hepatitis B or C) ...

(13) Abnormal Cervical Cytology. ...

(14) Malignant hyperthermia. ...

(15) Contact lenses. ...

(16) Miscellaneous conditions. ...

(17) Medications. Soldiers taking medications should not automatically be disqualified for any duty assignment. Medications used for serious and/or complex medical conditions are not usually suitable for extended deployments. The medications on the list below ...

(18) Dental. ...
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Chapter 7
Physical Profiling
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7-4. Temporary vs. permanent profiles
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b. Temporary profiles. A temporary profile is given if the condition is considered temporary, the correction or treatment of the condition is medically advisable, and correction usually will result in a higher physical capacity. Soldiers on active duty and RC Soldiers not on active duty with a temporary profile will be medically evaluated at least once every 3 months at which time the profile may be extended for a maximum of 6 months from the initial profile start date by the profiling officer.

(1) Temporary profiles exceeding 6 months duration, for the same medical condition, will be referred to a specialist (for that medical condition) for management and consideration for one of the following actions:

(a) Continuation of a temporary profile for a maximum of 12 months from the initial profile start date;

(b) Change the temporary profile to a permanent profile;

(c) Determination if the Soldier meets the medical retention standards of Chapter 3 and if not, referral to a MEB.
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Chapter 10
Army National Guard
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10-15. Duty restrictions

a. Any recommendation for restricted activity that has been made by a private physician will be reported in writing, before performing any duty.

b. It is the individual Soldier's responsibility to report any medical problems immediately to the chain of command and to comply with medical restrictions. Commanders will honor the private physician's recommendations until the Soldier is evaluated by a military provider, and a recommended course of action is determined by a profiling officer (see para 7-6).

c. Soldiers and commanders will abide by the medical restrictions and limitations documented on any profile (DA Form 3349) issued.