Commissioned Corps Management Information Site

1. What is the difference between a typical Medical Review Board (MRB) and an Expedited MRB (EMRB)?

Both the MRB and EMRB are responsible for submitting a formal report to the Surgeon General (SG) making a recommendation regarding an officer’s medical fitness for duty. When recommending unfit for duty, the recommendation must also include a disability rating of the medical conditions that resulted in the unfitness recommendation.

The typical MRB is a board convened by the Director, CCHQ; and per policy consists of three or more officers who are licensed as medical (e.g., physician, nurse practitioner, nurse, dentist, therapist, physician assistant) or mental health (e.g., psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, social worker, psychiatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse) providers.

Whereas the EMRB will also result in a recommendation to the SG a described above without convening a formal board. The recommendation would be completed by an EMRB Adjudicator (see Section 6-5.3.b.(3)).

2. How do I request an EMRB? Who determines whether my case is reviewed by the EMRB or the MRB?

The MAB Chief, MAB Liaison Officers/Clinical Evaluators and the MAB Medical Adjudicator will review cases and determine which ones meet the criteria for an EMRB. If your case qualifies for the EMRB process, you will be notified and offered the option. If you elect to utilize the EMRB option, you will be asked to submit a signed consent form to MAB.

3. Can I change my mind during the EMRB and request the typical MRB?

You can elect to end the EMRB and have your case heard by an MRB at any time up to the point when the MAB EMRB Adjudicator reaches a decision and completes their report of the case with their recommendations to the SG.

4. Is this still an objective review of my case with appropriate medical reviewers?

The MAB EMRB Adjudicator must have documentation of training in the disability retirement process and in the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). There will always be a physician involved in reviewing the case.

5. What happens after the EMRB?

Once the MAB EMRB Adjudicator completes their report of your case with their recommendations to the SG, the MAB EMRB Adjudicator will find the officer, fit, fit for limited duty or unfit and will render a percentage rating of disability for your condition(s). Then, the identical process used for MRB recommendations will be followed. See CCI 393.01 “Medical Review Board”, Section 6-6. (will hyperlink once placed in the CCMIS)

6. Can I appeal after I get my EMRB findings from MAB?

You may appeal a finding by the EMRB dependent on the following:

You may appeal the findings if you requested the fitness evaluation and the MRB or EMRB finds the officer fit for full duty or if you disagree with the disability rating(s).
You may not appeal a finding that they are fit for full duty if the program official or Director, CCHQ, requested the fitness evaluation.

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