Patient Administration - Army Publishing Directorate - U.S. Army

. The approving authority may delegate authority to review and act on MEBs. The individual to whom this
authority is delegated (for example, DCCS) must not participate in the board proceedings either as a member, witness,
consultant, or in any other capacity.
7–14. Distribution of medical evaluation board proceedings
Distribution of board proceedings will be as indicated in table 7-1. Distribution will depend on the disposition of the
patient and on conditions further prescribed for RC and ROTC personnel in paragraph 5-9, for prisoner patients in
paragraph 5-13, and for certain military personnel requiring further hospitalization upon separation in paragraph 5-18.
Additional copies prepared for mentally incompetent patients will be forwarded directly to U.S. Army Finance and
Accounting Center, ATTN: DFAS-IN-FJEC-B Settlement Operations, Indianapolis, IN 46249-0845.
7–15. Interservice cooperation in medical evaluation board actions
a. MEB proceedings of one Uniformed Service are acceptable to another Uniformed Service and may serve as a
basis for further medical or administrative action by that Service.
b. Soldiers who are hospitalized or receiving treatment in MTFs of another Uniformed Service capable of providing
the required medical care will not be transferred to an MTF of his or her parent Service merely to fulfill an MEB
convening requirement. The MEB will be convened at the MTF where the patient is hospitalized and the report of
proceedings will be forwarded to the reviewing authority of the Soldier’s Service for appropriate action.
c. Soldiers who require aeromedical evacuation to another MTF and who are not expected to return to duty will be
regulated and moved to the MTF nearest the member’s home which is capable of providing the required care and
disposition. The losing MTF will immediately notify the MTF with geographical responsibility for the Soldier. This is
normally done without regard to the member’s Service affiliation. However, patients in the categories in (1) through (3)
below will be evacuated to a hospital of the parent Service.
(1) Those who are undergoing dual processing such as medical disability and administrative separation or courtsmartial
proceedings.
(2) Those who require special psychiatric examinations to determine competency to receive pay.
(3) Service academy cadets.
7–16. Triservice medical evaluation board coordination
a. To ensure that administrative control is maintained for Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps members hospitalized
in Army hospitals, personnel of the admitting (Army) hospital will immediately notify the closest Navy or Air Force
hospital. It is the responsibility of the Navy or Air Force hospital to assume administrative control of their patients. For
example, when an Air Force member is hospitalized at Darnall Army Community Hospital, Fort Hood, personnel at
Darnall should immediately notify Wilford Hall Medical Center.
b. MEB proceedings completed by another Uniformed Service may include recommendations regarding the member’s
disposition. However, “referral of the proceedings to the Service reviewing authority” is the only official
disposition that can be used. This is required since Service physical standards vary and could result in different
dispositions. Also, one Uniformed Service will not commit another Uniformed Service to a specific disposition.
c. The member’s Service may request another MTF where the member is hospitalized to initiate proceedings. While
such requests are not binding or mandatory, every effort will be made to honor them.
d. The PEBs of all Uniformed Services are authorized to communicate directly with the hospital that convened the
MEB when additional or clarifying information is needed.
e. If difficulties arise between two MTFs which cannot be resolved at that level, assistance should be requested
through Service headquarters channels.
f. Questions concerning another Service’s medical standards will be referred to the appropriate Service reviewing
authority.
7–17. Options available to the Service reviewing authority
If an MEB prepared by another Service is forwarded to the member’s Service reviewing authority, the reviewing
authority may—
a. Accept the board proceedings and process according to Service directives.
b. Return the proceedings to the MEB appointing authority for further information or clarification.
c. Reject the board proceedings and direct the transfer of the member to a hospital of his or her parent Service for
further evaluation if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the patient and the Service concerned.
7–18. Counseling members concerning medical board results
a. Upon completion of the MEB and approval of the proceedings, the member will be counseled concerning the
findings. If the member disagrees with the board, the member has 3 working days to prepare a written appeal for
submission to the appointing authority. If no action is taken by the member within 3 working days, the board results
will be forwarded, as if approved by the member, to the Service reviewing authority for further action.
60 AR 40–400 27 January 2010