Disability

If you have a physical problem which prevents you from performing your military duties, you may qualify for a disability discharge. DoD Directive 1332.18 provides the medical standards for all the armed forces. If your condition is listed in these regulations, you may be "unfit for further military service," or you may have been ineligible to enlist in the first place. You can't formally request this discharge, but you, your counselor, your civilian doctor, or a medical officer can tell the command about your health condition so the discharge process can begin. Even if your condition is not listed in the regulations, you may still be able to make a good case for discharge if you can show that continued duty will make the condition worse or that discharge would be in the best interest of the military.

First, try to see a civilian doctor who can write a report and supply important medical records to support your claim. Take the civilian doctor's report with you to the military medical facilities to encourage them to give you a proper diagnosis. As soon as possible, visit the medical facilities on your base. You will need a medical officer to recommend your discharge. If the medical people won't cooperate, make repeated visits to sick call until they pay attention to you. If the military doctor won't convene a medical board to deal with your case, go to another doctor. The medical board decides whether or not you should be discharged or reassigned.

If your disability existed before you enlisted, you may be able to get a discharge for "erroneous enlistment," discussed below.

If your discharge is denied, you can appeal. The boards for appeal and review of your disability will also decide whether you qualify for disability benefits.

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