Which statement correctly describes the difference between an MEB referral and a PEB referral?

Which statement correctly describes the difference between an MEB referral and a PEB referral?

• A. An MEB referral initiates the review of medical conditions for potential impairment; a PEB referral is the formal rating and disposition after MEB findings
• B. An MEB referral is the final disability rating; a PEB referral begins the medical evaluation
• C. A PEB referral initiates the medical examination; an MEB referral determines discharge status
• D. MEB and PEB referrals are the same process

Answer: (A)

The process separates medical review from the disability rating. An MEB referral starts the medical review by flagging conditions that may impair duty and gathering the medical evidence needed to determine if impairment exists. It doesn’t assign a disability percentage. After the MEB findings are documented, a PEB review uses that evidence to formally rate the disability and decide the disposition—whether the member is fit for duty with limitations, unfit and medically retired or separated, or returned to duty with restrictions. This makes the statement about MEB starting the review of potential impairment and the PEB providing the formal rating and disposition after those findings the best description. The other options mix up which body evaluates, rates, or initiates the process.

The process separates medical review from the disability rating. An MEB referral starts the medical review by flagging conditions that may impair duty and gathering the medical evidence needed to determine if impairment exists. It doesn’t assign a disability percentage. After the MEB findings are documented, a PEB review uses that evidence to formally rate the disability and decide the disposition—whether the member is fit for duty with limitations, unfit and medically retired or separated, or returned to duty with restrictions. This makes the statement about MEB starting the review of potential impairment and the PEB providing the formal rating and disposition after those findings the best description. The other options mix up which body evaluates, rates, or initiates the process.