MEB Timeline: What to Expect From Referral to Separation

The DoD sets a 295-day goal for the entire IDES process from referral to separation. In practice, complex cases often run significantly longer. Understanding the standard timeline helps you anticipate delays, ask the right questions at each stage, and advocate for your case when it stalls.

The Regulatory Framework

DoDI 1332.18 sets timeliness goals for each stage of the IDES process. These are goals, not hard limits — but they give you a benchmark and a basis for asking your PEBLO why your case hasn't moved.

Stage 1: Referral (Days 1–10)

Your Primary Care Manager or specialty provider refers you to the MEB. Within approximately 3 business days of the referral, a PEBLO (Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer) should be assigned to your case.

What to do: Contact your PEBLO immediately. Establish a communication rhythm — weekly check-ins are not unreasonable. Get your PEBLO's direct phone and email. Understand from day one that your PEBLO manages dozens of cases simultaneously, and the cases that get attention are often the ones that maintain communication.

Stage 2: MEB Medical Examination (Days 10–40)

You'll undergo a series of medical evaluations to document all conditions affecting your fitness for duty. The completeness of this examination determines what gets rated.

Critical point: Tell every examiner about every condition — not just the one that triggered the referral. Injuries, mental health conditions, hearing loss, sleep apnea, chronic pain, skin conditions. If it's in your medical records and affects your ability to function, it should be in the MEB. Conditions not documented cannot be rated.

This stage takes longer when you need multiple specialist evaluations or when appointments are unavailable in your location.

Stage 3: Narrative Summary (NARSUM) (Days 40–70)

The examining physician writes the Narrative Summary, which is the formal written summary of your conditions and how they affect your ability to perform military duties.

Your right: You have the right to review your NARSUM before it's finalized. Read it carefully. If it understates your symptoms, omits conditions, or contains factual errors, submit a written rebuttal. Errors in the NARSUM can affect your rating.

Your attorney or VSO can help you review the NARSUM for accuracy and completeness.

Stage 4: VA C&P Examinations (Concurrent with NARSUM)

Under IDES, the VA conducts Compensation and Pension (C&P) exams simultaneously with the MEB process. These determine your proposed VA rating.

Timeline: The VA's IDES-specific C&P exams are supposed to occur within 30 days of the VA receiving the case. In practice, scheduling availability significantly affects this. Highly specialized exams (neurology, psychiatric evaluations, orthopedics) are often delayed.

Prepare: Read the DBQ (Disability Benefits Questionnaire) for each condition being rated before your exam. Know how your symptoms are rated. The examiner will use a specific form, and understanding what they're looking for helps ensure nothing is missed.

Stage 5: VA Proposed Rating (Days 90–150)

After your C&P exams, the VA issues a proposed rating. Under IDES, this rating is shared with the PEB and forms the basis for the military's disposition decision.

Review the proposed rating carefully. If it doesn't match your understanding of your conditions, note the discrepancies for the PEB process.

Stage 6: Informal PEB (Days 150–180)

The Physical Evaluation Board reviews your case and issues informal findings. These findings include:

• Fit or unfit for duty
• If unfit: the disability percentage and proposed disposition (separation with severance vs. disability retirement)

You have 10 days to respond to informal PEB findings. Your options:

• Concur — accept the findings
• Request reconsideration — submit additional evidence or arguments for a second review
• Request a formal hearing — appear before the PEB in person

Stage 7: Formal Hearing (If Requested) (Days 180–225)

If you requested a formal PEB hearing, you appear before a panel with your attorney. You can present testimony, call witnesses, and submit additional evidence.

Formal hearings are underutilized. Many service members accept informal findings without fully understanding their options. If you disagree with the rating and have documentation to support your case, a formal hearing is worth requesting.

Stage 8: Orders and Separation (Days 225–295)

After the PEB process concludes, administrative orders are cut and your separation or retirement is processed. Under IDES, your VA rating is ready at this point — you receive your first VA payment within approximately 30 days of separation.

Where Delays Actually Happen

In practice, the biggest delays occur at:

1. VA C&P scheduling — especially for mental health and specialty evaluations
2. NARSUM completion — particularly when multiple providers are involved
3. Administrative processing — between stages, especially at high-volume installations

If your case has been sitting in one stage for more than twice the regulatory goal, ask your PEBLO in writing for a status update and the reason for the delay.

Track your case in MTT's MEB/PEB Tracker.

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Sources: DoDI 1332.18, health.mil Disability Evaluation System, VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge