ALCOAST 124/23 - MAR 2023 UPDATED PROCEDURES TO PHYSICAL DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEM (PDES)

R 291228Z MAR 23 MID200080851373U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 124/23
SSIC 1850
SUBJ: UPDATED PROCEDURES TO PHYSICAL DISABILITY EVALUATION
SYSTEM (PDES)
A. National Defense Authorization Act of 2023, Section 11411
B. Physical Disability Evaluation System, COMDTINST M1850.2D
C. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST M1000.8A
D. Reserve Policy Manual, COMDTINST M1001.28D
E. Transition of Service Members with Job Training Opportunities
and Employment Skills under the Department of Defense (DOD)
SkillBridge Voluntary Employment Skills Training Program,
COMDTINST 1040.7
1. REF (A) requires the development of policy to:
    a. Improve timeliness, communication, and outcomes for members
undergoing PDES.
    b. Afford maximum career transition benefits to members
determined to be unfit for retention in the Coast Guard; and
    c. Maximize potential separation and career transition
benefits for members undergoing the PDES.
2. Through the Personnel Service Center (CG PSC) and Health, Safety
& Work Life Directorate (CG-11), Assistant Commandant for Human
Resources (CG-1) oversees the administration and application of
associated programs and benefits for members undergoing the Coast
Guard PDES process to ensure all cases are managed fairly,
consistently, and in accordance with law and CG policy.
3. REFs (B) through (E) promulgate policies and standards associated
with disability processing for Coast Guard service members. This
message does not change or replace any policies contained in REFs
(B) through (E).
4. In accordance with REF (A), for PDES cases initiated on or after
27 DEC 2022 and others as applicable, the following administrative
processes are effective immediately:
    a. Revised Duty Status: To the maximum extent practicable, upon
recommendation of a military medical officer that a member is
referred to the PDES process, the member shall be placed in a
Temporary Limited Duty (TLD) status or other applicable duty status
to allow the opportunity to attend necessary medical appointments
and other activities relating to PDES.
    b. TLD and Assignment: To the maximum extent practicable and in
consultation with the applicable CG PSC-EPM/OPM/RPM Assignment
Officer (AO), evaluees on TLD status and anticipating PDES
processing may be afforded an option to remain in their current
billet, so as to minimize any negative impact on their career
trajectory. Reserve members may be authorized Medical Support
Allowance Billets IAW REF (D).
    c. Notice of Medical Treatment: To the maximum extent
practicable, an evaluee will receive notification of any medical
appointment no less than 21 days in advance to ensure the
appointment timeline is in the best interests of the immediate
health of the evaluee.
    d. Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) Initiation: The date of
initiation of a MEB evaluation shall be the date of completion of
the Medical Board Report Cover Sheet, CG-5684, describing the
evaluee's disqualifying conditions.
    e. Permissive Duty Status: In the event that a MEB report is not
completed within 120 days after initiation, the evaluee may request
Administrative Assignment in accordance with REF (C) to permit
attendance to medical appointments upon consideration of the
Primary Care Manager (PCM), member's command, and applicable
CG-PSC AO.
    f. Consultation with Attorney: On the same date an evaluee
is provided with the Evaluee's Statement Regarding the Finding
of the Medical Board Report, Form CG-4920, the evaluee will be
provided with an Election of Counsel Form, providing the
opportunity to consult with a Disability Attorney from the Office
of Member Advocacy (CG-LMA).
    g. SkillBridge Availability: Active Duty evaluees may seek an
internship under the SkillBridge Program described in REF (E)
for outside employment aimed at improving the transition of the
evaluee to civilian life if such activity does not interfere with
CG mission execution and necessary medical appointments required
for the evaluee's treatment and disability evaluation.
    h. Notice of Anticipated Separation Date: The Coast Guard
(CG PSC-EPM/OPM/RPM in coordination with CG PSC-PSD-med) shall
provide an evaluee with a written separation date upon receipt by
CG PSC-PSD-med of a completed MEB report which finds the evaluee
unfit to continue active service.
    i. Separation Certainty: To provide certainty to the evaluee with
respect to a separation date, the Coast Guard may place the evaluee
in an excess leave status after 270 days have elapsed since the date
of initiation of a MEB IAW REF (C).
    j. Judicious Use of PDES: Each respective command is required to
report to CG PSC via CG PSC-PSD any delay of more than 21 days
between each stage of PDES for any evaluee, to include between the
MEB, Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB) and Formal
Physical Evaluation Board (FPEB). CG PSC shall, no later than 7 days
after receipt of a report of delay, take corrective action to ensure
the CG exercises maximum discretion to continue the PDES processing
of an evaluee in a timely manner, unless the delay is caused by the
evaluee. Reports of delay shall be sent to:
HQS-SMB-CGPSC-PSD-PDESDELAYREPORTING.
      (1) MEB initiation occurs upon completion of the Medical Board
Report Cover Sheet, CG-5684, and concludes upon receipt of the
completed Medical Evaluation Board package by CG PSC-PSD-med NLT 30
days thereafter.
      (2) IPEB initiation occurs upon receipt of a completed MEB
package by CG PSC-PSD-med and concludes upon member acceptance or
rejection of findings on the Coast Guard Informal Physical
Evaluation Board (IPEB) Findings and Recommended Position, Form
CGHQ-4808A, NLT 210 days following its initiation.
      (3) FPEB is optional and initiates upon member rejection of
findings on Form CGHQ-4808A and concludes with signature of CG Final
Approval Authority within 210 days delineated for IPEB.
      (4) Transition is conducted by CG PSC-EPM/OPM/RPM and initiates
upon signature of CG Final Approval Authority and concludes with
issuance of a separation authorization. The Separation/Retirement
date should be approximately 30 days from the date of the Separation
Authorization.
      (5) Current case status/timeliness is referenced via Infoview,
available at the supporting CG HSWL Clinic.
    k. Reasonable Delay Request: An evaluee will be permitted to make
a request for reasonable delay in PDES processing in order to obtain
additional input and consultation from a medical or legal
professional. Any such request for delay shall be approved by the
Commandant as delegated to CG PSC, based upon a showing of good
cause by the evaluee.
5. These amendments will be included in the next revision of
REF (B), which will be released within the next year.
6. POCs: For questions regarding Physical Disability Evaluation
System policy, contact COMDT (CG-1331) at
HQSPolicyandStandards@uscg.mil. For procedural or process questions
contact Commander (CG PSC-PSD-med).
7. This message will be cancelled on 28 MAR 2024.
8. Dr. D. M Navarro, Acting Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
(CG-1), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.