A U.S. Government attorney, representing the interests of the service member, who may be an assistant Staff Judge Advocate, General Schedule civilian employee, or contracted attorney paid for by the U.S. Government.

Full-time duty in the active military service of the United States, including active duty or full-time training duty in the Reserve Component.  Also called AD. See also active duty for training; inactive duty training.  (JP 4-05)

Information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual.

The name (such as “Boatswain’s Mate”) prescribed for service members in an occupational field.

A determination by the physical evaluation board of a service member’s ability to reasonably perform the duties of his office, grade, rank, or rating.

Fundamental deductions, consistent with medical facts, that are so reasonable and logical as to create a reasonable assumption that they are correct.

The chronologic record of medical, dental, and mental health care received by service members during the course of their military career. It includes documentation of all outpatient appointments (i.e. without overnight admittance to a hospital, clinic, or treatment facility), as well as summaries of any inpatient care (Discharge Summaries) and care receiv...

The joint DOD-VA process by which DOD determines whether ill or injured service members are fit for continued military service and DOD and VA determine appropriate benefits for Service members who are separated or retired for disability. In the IDES, the Service member receives a single set of physical disability examinations conducted according to VA exa...

The service member’s decision to accept or appeal the medical evaluation board or physical evaluation board findings.

For service members entering the DES, the MEB conducts the medical evaluation on conditions that potentially affect the service member’s fitness for duty. The MEB documents the service member’s condition and medical history with a narrative summary, sometimes referred to as the MEB report. The MEB is composed of at least two members. At least ...

A senior medical officer, appointed by the Military Departments or DHA, who has detailed knowledge of standards of medical fitness, retention standards, and disposition of patients and disability separation processing and who is familiar with the Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The non-medical case manager who provides information, assistance, and case status updates to the affected service member throughout the DES process.

Calendar day.

A briefing that consists of, at a minimum, PEBLOs, MSCs, and legal counsel, and establishes service member expectations, prepares service members for each stage of the DES process, and informs service members of what is expected of them during the DES process.

Period of time when a case is halted due to actions or decisions beyond the control of the Military Department DES agencies or if beneficial to the service member.