The Department of the Navy has begun notifying more than 3,700 medically discharged sailors and Marines of their eligibility for a new physical evaluation board hearing — one that could result in an upgrade to medical retirement.
Over the next several months, eligible veterans medically discharged between Sept. 12, 2016, and June 11, 2018, are to receive a letter from the Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards asking whether they want to have their cases reconsidered.
Those eligible include personnel discharged during the designated period whose qualifying conditions were listed by their medical evaluation board and sent to their physical evaluation board and who were medically separated with a combined disability rating of 20% or less.
Veterans who request a review must apply within 180 days of the date of the letter. They will be asked to spell out their end goal of medical retirement and provide any additional medical or non-medical evidence they may have to bolster their case.