Innovation, education benefit ongoing PEB mission

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James Brabenec
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
Facing an increased caseload since Sept. 11, 2001, innovation and education have improved the Air Force Physical Disability Division's service to the Air Force and boarded Airmen, those who enter the disability evaluation system to determine their fitness. Some are returned to duty, while others may be medically separated or medically retired.

Located at the Air Force Personnel Center here and at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, the division ensures the vitality of the Air Force by medically separating or retiring Airmen from active duty who cannot perform their duties because of physical injuries or illnesses. It also ensures fair compensation for these Airmen facing shortened military careers.

To meet their increased workload, the division staff sought out Lean process experts to improve their service. The Lean process, a private sector model, streamlines procedures to remove waste or inefficiencies. This review offered immediate, short-term benefits such as fewer steps in the process and savings in transfer and handoff times. It also identified potential long-term efficiencies.

Besides the Lean initiatives, the division added a second formal board staffed by reservists who focused first on Guard and Reserve cases. This second board aided the division's efforts to reduce scheduling times from 90 to 30 days between the informal and formal boards. It has also helped to manage more than 400 new cases the division receives each month.

Along with process improvements, AFPC physical evaluation board members and support people are developing better ways to educate the Air Force and boarded Airmen about the evaluation process. A recently completed physical evaluation liaison officer guidebook, which will help liaison officers brief Airmen, is ready for distribution. Also, a video with examples of what Airmen might face throughout the evaluation process will be ready to send out to Air Force bases this summer, officials said.

"The better we inform boarded Airmen, the better prepared they will be going into the informal board review process,” said Col. Johnnie Seward, physical disabilities division chief. “This should translate to understanding the board's decision and reduce appeals. In turn, Airmen should return to duty or begin receiving their disability compensation faster. Educating Airmen builds their confidence in the process and helps reduce appeals."

The physical-evaluation process begins with a base-level medical board that reviews the records of Airmen diagnosed with medical conditions requiring an evaluation board. Board members either return the individual to duty or forward their recommendation to AFPC senior reviewers for an informal physical evaluation board.

Once the informal review is completed, Airmen either accept the board's determination or elect to appeal the decision to the formal board. They may also appeal the formal board's decision and request further review by the secretary of the Air Force's personnel council.

At the formal review level, Airmen receive a disability compensation lawyer at no charge to help them assemble and present their case. Having met with their legal counsel, about 20 percent of these Airmen withdraw their request to appear before the formal board.

"In working with boarded Airmen, we're there to help them understand potential benefits of the appeals process and how best to prepare their cases. Our complete focus is to ensure their interests are considered," said Rick Becker, chief of the disability lawyer office and a physical evaluation board disability lawyer with 10 years of experience. "All (board) lawyers only work disability cases; this focus provides us a wealth of experience to draw from to provide the best possible counsel."

Noting the dedication and tenacity Airmen have displayed in fighting the war on terrorism, Col. James Capps Jr., a chief flight surgeon and board member, advises all Airmen, especially those in supervisory positions, to ensure medical documentation of those who become injured or ill.

"Our Airmen are fighting courageously, and that's to be commended. However, we need to ensure all Airmen seek medical treatment when necessary," he said. "Medical documentation is essential to the physical evaluation board process. Equally important to our Airmen, this documentation opens doors for Veterans Affairs benefits and for those who retire and apply for combat related special compensation." (Courtesy of AFPC News Service)