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MHS Health Care Glossary

Military Health System Health Care Glossary serves as the official repository and consolidated reference (as a secondary source) for terms and definitions used within the MHS. Some terms may have multiple and varying definitions based on the context and primary source of authority. Note that certain definitions may be approved only for limited use in a single primary reference document, while others may have broad applicability in multiple contexts and issuances. To determine the most appropriate definition in a particular context, consult all relevant source documents. Any disparities between this Glossary and primary sources are unintentional, and the primary source shall control.

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Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Retention Control Point

The number of years a Service member may serve at a particular rank.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Proximate Result

A permanent disability the result of, arising from, or connected with active duty, annual training, active duty for training, or IDT, to include travel to and from such duty or remaining overnight between successive periods of IDT. The proximate result statutory criterion for entitlement to disability compensation under Chapter 61 of Title 10, U.S.C. does...

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Elective Surgery

Surgery that is not essential, especially surgery to correct a condition that is not life-threatening; surgery that is not required for survival.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Medical Evaluation Board (MEB)

For Service members entering the disability evaluation system, 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 medical condition(s) and history with an MEB narrative summary as part of an MEB packet. 

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Presumption

An inference of the truth of a proposition or fact reached through a process of reasoning and based on the existence of other facts. Matters that are presumed need no proof to support them, but may be rebutted by evidence to the contrary.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Disability Advisory Council

A Department of Defense (DOD) only group that evaluates Disability Evaluation System (DES) functions, identifies best practices, addresses inconsistencies in policy, discusses inconsistencies in law, addresses problems and issues in the administration of the DES, and provides a forum to develop and plan improvements.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Personal Representative

A person designated to make DES decisions for the Service member. This could be a court-appointed guardian or a representative in accordance with DoDI 6025.18.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Rank

The order of precedence among members of the military services.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Acute

Characterized by sharpness or severity.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Grave

Very serious: dangerous to life-used of an illness or its prospects.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Accepted Medical Principles

Fundamental deductions, consistent with medical facts, that are so reasonable and logical as to create a virtual certainty that they are correct. The Service PEB will state with specificity the basis(es) for the conclusion.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Rating

The name (e.g., “Boatswain’s Mate”) prescribed for service members of a military service in an occupational field.

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Armed Conflict

A war, expedition, occupation of an area or territory, battle, skirmish, raid, invasion, rebellion, insurrection, guerilla action, riot, or any other action in which service members are engaged with a hostile or belligerent nation, faction, force, or terrorist. Armed conflict may also include such situations as incidents involving a member while interned ...

Glossary Term
Nov 10, 2022

Office

A position of duty, trust, and authority to which an individual is appointed.

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