The Department of Defense has set up a Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) that will examine a veterans medical condition at time of separations. The PDBR will reassess the accuracy and fairness of the combined disability ratings assigned to service members who were discharged as unfit for continued military service by the military departments with a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less, and were not found to be eligible for retirement. The PDBR will not review the military department’s determinations of fitness for continued military service. Instead the PDBR will review the combined disability ratings assigned to the specific conditions that resulted in a member being declared unfit for continued military service, acted upon by the military department Physical Evaluation Boards.

Who may apply:  Any service member may have his or her case reviewed by the PBDR if that individual:

1. Was separated from the Armed Forces during the period beginning on September 11, 2001 and ending on December 31, 2009, due to unfitness of continued military service resulting from a physical disability; and
2. Received from DoD a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less; and
3. Was not found to be eligible for retirement

What do I need to send in to the PBDR:

1. The completed DD Form 294, Application for Review by the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR).
2. Rating determinations by the USDVA. Your ratings letter that you received from USDVA.
3. New or newly discovered evidence not previously included in official records. These records may include findings by a civilian doctor.
4. If you receive service connected disability from the USDVA, you must complete VA Form 3288.

Once your receive notice of pending review you will have no less than 2 weeks from the notice to provide documentary evidence outside DoD possession.

As a result of the request for review by the PDBR, the veteran or surviving spouse, next of kin, or legal representative may not seek relief from the Board of Correction of Military Records (BCMR) operated by the Secretary concerned, and that the recommendation of the PDBR, once accepted by the respective Military Department, is final.

Regardless of which branch you served in you must mail the completed forms to:

SAF/MRBR, ATTN:  PDBR Intake Unit
550 C Street West, Suite 41
Randolph AFB TX 78150-4743