Disability Evaluation System (DES)
Overview
NGB/SGPA
Objectives
• DES
• Duty related DES
• Non Duty related DES
• Retention Standards
• When to start processing
Always On Mission
DES
•
•
Purpose of DES: to maintain a fit and vital force
There are two types of Disability Evaluation Systems
(DES).
• Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) duty related
•
•
•
Two step process- Pre-IDES and IDES
Non-Duty DES System (NDDES) – non duty
related
Type of DES processing is contingent on whether the
injury, illness or disease incurred or was aggravated
due to military service or not.
•
In other words- is the condition “In the Line of Duty (ILOD)
or not”?
Always On Mission
Duty Related DES
•
Pre- IDES
• Purpose: eliminate amount of referrals to Medical Evaluation
Board (MEB) for members who can be returned to duty with (or
without) an Assignment Limitation Code (ALC).
• MEB cannot happen without being referred from NGB/SGPA.
•
MEB is a term that is overused and should only be used when member is
actually referred for the MEB process.
•
Terms IRILO or pre-IDES should be used to distinguish the
various processes
• Initial Review in Lieu of (IRILO)
• Name of package submitted to NGB/SGPA for review and
disposition
• Includes LOD, Narrative Summary (NARSUM), etc.
• Not every IRILO will lead to an full MEB
Always On Mission
Duty Related DES
• IDES
• Once MEB is directed by NGB/SGPA, member
is entered into IDES as of date on VA Form 210819 Joint Disability Evaluation Board Claim
form.
•
ANG MDGs do not initiate the VA Form 21-0819
• MEB phase of IDES begins
• Can take up to 305 calendar days to complete
IDES
Always On Mission
Always On Mission
Non Duty Related DES
• Purpose: review potentially disqualifying
medical conditions for a “Fitness for Duty”
evaluation
• Conditions that are “Not in Line of Duty”
Always On Mission
Retention Standards
• Medical Standards Directory (MSD)
• Unable to meet retention standards and/or
mobility standards
• Not all inclusive
• IAW AFI 48-123 para 5.3.2 DES will begin
within 90 days of diagnosis:
• Examples include: seizures, any terminal
illness, organ failure requiring transplant,
insulin dependent diabetes, or any other career
ending injury
Always On Mission
When to start DES
• Within 1 year of diagnosis that prevents full
duties OR
• When the course of recovery is relatively
predictable OR
• When medical condition that represents an
obvious medical risk to health of member or
safety of others
• May be initiated anytime member is not
anticipated to regain mobility or retention
eligibility within 12 months of the initial DLC
• There is NO maximum medical benefit
Always On Mission
When to start DES
• AFI 41-210 para 4.52.2.1…. There is no
minimum medical evaluation time period and
no need to wait for complete or nearcomplete recovery. There should be no delay
in referral of a member‘s case as long as the
course of recovery is relatively predictable,
and a reasonable determination can be made
that the limiting condition is not likely to
resolve or improve within 12 months to an
extent which renders the SM capable of fully
performing the duties of his/her office, grade,
rank or rating, to include the ability to deploy
to field conditions.
Always On Mission
DES Flow
Chart
YES
Is the
condition In
the Line of
Duty (ILOD)?
NO
Non Duty DES
(NDDES)
Pre-IDES /IRILO
NGB review/
disposition
NGB review/
disposition
IDES begins
RTD with or without
ALC code
Referred for Medical
Evaluation Board
(MEB)
Referred to Informal
Physical Evaluation
Board (IPEB)
Always On Mission
RTD with or without
ALC code