Disability Separation, Retirement and Limited Duty (MMSR-4)

Overview and Terms

MMSR-4: Disability Separations, Retirements and Limited Duty section

• The section of Separations Branch that reviews/manages/processes requests such as: Temporary Limited Duty ("LimDu"), Medical Extensions, Home Awaiting Orders (HAO), Permanent Limited Duty (PLD), and TERA in Lieu of DES.  For Marines pending ADSEP or legal while processing on medical boards, we process CG Hold in Abeyance and Physical Evaluation Board Termination requests. For Marines found unfit and being medically retired or separated, we update your findings into MCTFS, and issue your certificate(s), pin, and findings letter. 
• We adjust the medical separation/retirement date for DES Marines found unfit for future service by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), and are responsible to manage Transition Phase of the Disability Evaluation System (DES) process
• We are in the Marsh Center aboard MCB Quantico (East Coast time)

LIGHT DUTY

•  Up to 90 days of restriction from certain physical requirements
• Marine is required to turn in copy of chit to unit Limited Duty Coordinator for tracking purposes
• After 90 days for same issue, they are required to be evaluated by their medical provider for a limited duty period
• Limited Duty coordinator and medical are required to ensure compliance

TLD- Temporary Limited Duty aka "Limdu"

• Period of elevated restriction from physical requirements
• The requested length of time is determined by the medical provider
• Officers: ANY requested period of LimDu for officers is sent to MMSR-4 for review and will either be approved or the Marine will be directed to start DES processing
• Enlisted: Once an enlisted Marine has 12 months or more of LimDu in their career, their request will either be approved or the Marine will be directed to start DES processing
• 3rd or more LimDu period requests for enlisted will come up for MMSR-4 review and either be approved or the Marine will be directed to start DES processing, even if they have not yet reached 12months of LimDu

DES- Disability Evaluation System

• The 3-Phase process of determining if an individual is medically fit for future service
• DES has two pathway options: LDES and IDES
• Average processing time for DES is 7.5 months for IPEB Phase and 10 months, if requesting FPEB (stats as of May 2025)

Phase 1: MEB- Medical Evaluation Board

• Typically resides within the Marine’s local base Clinic or Hospital
• Decides whether to refer to PEB (“V” code for IDES and "U" code for LDES in MCTFS)
• All required VA exams completed during this phase for IDES pathway

Phase 2:  IPEB- Informal Physical Evaluation Board

• Once PEB Accepts the case, "Y" code is ran in MCTFS and they are now waiting to be boarded
• Initial findings are issued

Phase 3:  PEB-Formal Evaluation Board

• Only happens if the Marine does not accept IPEB findings

 LDES- Legacy Disability Evaluation System

• Older pathway option of DES
• Advantage: Quicker process, and if found unfit, quicker transition out
• Disadvantage: No VA exam consideration and no VA rating guaranteed at the time you separate. Omitting this portion of the process out is what makes the process quicker!
• DES steps removed: Claim Development, VA Disability Exam Stage, Proposed Rating Stage, Rating consideration Stage. These can still be done after the Marine separates, through the VA.
• Typically, only used on select entry-level personnel (Boot camp, schoolhouse) cases but can be elected by the servicemember when they are completing the initial DES election processing documentation.

IDES- Integrated Disability Evaluation System

• Newer pathway option of DES
• Get out with a VA rating because the exams and findings steps are incorporated into the DES process
• DES steps added: Claim Development, VA Disability Exam Stage, Proposed Rating Stage, Rating consideration Stage.

PEBLO- Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer

• Person assigned to assist you with DES processing
• Assigned after your DES process is initiated by your medical provider

DES Possible Outcomes

• Fit- Return to full duty
• Presumed Fit- A possible outcome when you go to the DES within 4 months of an approved retirement date.  The expectation is you execute the already approved retirement date.
• Unfit separation with severance
• Unfit separation without severance
• TDRL-Temporary Disability Retired List. With this outcome, you are allowed a maximum of 3 years in this status. During that time, you are required to coordinate with MMSR-4 and attend Periodic Physical Evaluation(s) to monitor your disability. Failure to comply will result in removal and loss of benefits. If you are in this status, it is VITAL to keep MMSR-4/MMSR-6 updated of any changes to contact information and mailing address.  PEB will reevaluate you after your PPE exam(s), and you will receive new findings. You’ll either be removed or changed to PDRL upon conclusion.
• PDRL- Permanent Disability Retired List

Limited Duty Requests and Medical Extensions

 Limited Duty

 There are 3 types of Limited Duty: 

1. Temporary Limited Duty (also known as TLD or LIMDU): A medically restricted status with a set start and end date, typically occurring before Disability Evaluation System (DES) processing is initiated. The form 6100-5 documentation is initiated by a military medical provider through the limdusmart.health.mil website. Once approved, the unit limited duty coordinator updates MCTFS to reflect a “Q” duty limit code.  Parameters described in the “Overview and Terms” section of this website will indicate when approval from HQMC is required to enter this status. Marines are required to schedule and complete re-evaluation from their provider prior to the approved end date. See MARCORSEPMAN and PFT/CFT Order for guidance on return to duty timelines following temporary limited duty periods. Expected outcomes by the end of this status are: return to full duty, extension request, or referral for DES processing. 
    
2. Permeant Limited Duty (PLD): A medically restricted status occurring after DES processing is complete and the Marine has been found unfit for future service. Requests are initiated at the unit level by the Marine and submitted to MMSR-4's organizational mailbox, available at the “Contact MMSR-4” section of this website. Unless extension approval is given by HQMC before the approved end date, the Marine will be medically separated NLT the approved end date. PLD periods are indicated by either a “1” or “2” duty limit code on MCTFS.

3. Expanded Limited Duty (EPLD): Medically restricted status occurring after DES processing is complete and the Marine has been found unfit for future service. Combat wounded Marines whose injuries were the result of hostile action, who meet the criteria for awarding of the Purple Heart, and whose injuries were not the result of their own misconduct are the only Marines authorized to request this status. Requests are initiated by the Marine at the unit level and routed via their career planner to HQMC (MMEA-1/RAM). See MARCORSEPMAN and MARADMIN 457/16 for further guidance. EPLD periods are indicated by either a “3” or “4” duty limit code in MCTFS.

    
   Medical Extension

   Marines are expected to separate from service by their EAS, unless medical extension is deemed necessary. Units are obligated to facilitate medical extension for Marines who are DES processing until their board is concluded, and results are recorded in MCTFS by MMSR-4. Outside of this circumstance, medical extension may be facilitated when Marines are found unfit to separate on their final physical, when a previously approved LIMDU period extends beyond their contractual obligation, when a Marine is medically incapacitated, or when the military medical provider indicates that medical treatment is necessary to occur prior to EAS vs through the VA system.
   
   Medical extensions are accomplished through completion of the NAVMC 321M form and are signed by both the Marine and the unit's commanding officer. The first medical extension can be run at the unit level through the local IPAC. Second and subsequent requests require prior approval from MMSR-4 and are submitted through the MMSR-4 organizational mailbox, available at the "Contact MMSR-4" section of this website.
   
   Marines may voluntarily EAS in a limited duty status. Coordination with MMSR-4 is required to terminate DES processing first if a Marine desires to EAS/retire while in DES processing. Additionally, the unit must issue applicable page 11 counseling requirements and upload signed copies to the Marine's official record.

 

I am stationed overseas: How does DES work for me? 

Medical providers at overseas locations may be limited in equipment/specialty care resources to complete appropriate assessments for DES processing. For this reason, they may select the appropriate box on the TLD Form 6100-5 requesting to have HQMC return the Marine CONUS via PCS orders for medical evaluation and referral to DES, if appropriate.  

This process is commonly referred to as "O-I-DES" (Overseas Integrated Disability Evaluation System) processing when having conversation or correspondence with MMSR-4. It can be initiated via medical provider notification in limdusmart.health.mil website or via email to the MMSR-4 organizational mailbox, available in the "Contact MMSR-4" section of this website. A package consists of the Form 6100-5 and OIDES worksheet, available at the "Templates and Resources" section of this website.

When approved, the HUMS monitor will coordinate with the applicable MOS monitor to find an open billet near the Marine's requested location, then issue PCS orders that reflect in the unit outbound module. Location preferences are indicated on the OIDES worksheet. MMSR-4 will apply the duty limit code "8" in MCTFS, indicating to the receiving unit that the Marine must be medically evaluated for decision on DES referral upon arrival and tracked by the unit limited duty coordinator. 

Dual active families should be communicating to their monitors or to the dual monitor in advance for consideration to co-locate, if possible. 

Requests for medical treatment or testing not associated with DES referral are not authorized under this process. See the JTR for funded TAD travel reimbursement eligibility for medical purposes.

Home Awaiting Orders Requests

What to Expect After Accepting Findings Through Your PEBLO

Information coming soon

Information for Marines placed on the TDRL

Information Coming Soon

Mailing Address

Manpower Personnel Management
Separations & Retirement (MMSR-4)
3280 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5103

Phone: 

(703)784-9308
(703)784-9309
(703)784-9321

MMSR-4 Section Mailboxes:

Email Link for TDRL Related Requests
Email Link for all other MMSR-4 Requests

Templates

Information Coming Soon
 

Resources

Wounded Warrior Regiment

 

FAQs and Tips for Unit Limited Duty Coordinators

1) What is the difference between the following terms: medical board, MEB, PEB and DES?

DES- Disability Evaluation System- This is the official name of the process where a Marine is evaluated and boarded for a decision on whether they are fit to continue service or medically separated/retired for a service-connected disability. It starts with the medical provider recommending board referral, covers all steps throughout the process, and ends when the Marine is medically separated from service, or found fit and returned to full duty. A generic term for this process would be "med board" processing. Of note, several boards occur throughout the DES process.

MEB- Medical Evaluation Board- This is a group of designated medical providers at an on-base hospital or clinic who conduct Phase 1 of the DES process. They receive the referring provider's recommendation and results for any related evaluations/exams conducted. Once the pkg meets their referral criterion, they refer it to the PEB. This status is reflected with the "V" duty limit code.

PEB-Physical Evaluation Board- They are the entity that conducts the informal and formal boards known as the IPEB (Phase 2) and FPEB (Phase 3). Initial service-connected disability decision and ratings come out of the IPEB. If the member signs accepting the decision or fails to decline in the allotted timeframe, final decision comes from the IPEB. If the member signs indicating they do not accept their findings, the FPEB will convene.  In either case, once results are finalized, they are forwarded from the PEB to MMSR-4 for processing.

2) How do I know when personnel within my unit are processing through the Disability Evaluation System (DES)? 

Units have several indications that a Marine is pending or DES processing 

1. MCTFS Duty Limit Codes on the RT01 screen or TBIR screen: 

• 7- DES Pending- MMSR-4 has notified the member their requested TLD is disapproved and directed them in writing to see their medical provider and start DES processing.
• 8- Overseas IDES Pending-Member is approved for PCS relocation to CONUS and is required to see medical for evaluation to determine if DES processing is appropriate. 
• U- LDES- Legacy DES- Faster DES processing pathway that does not include VA examination steps.
• V-PEB Referral. Phase 1 of the DES is complete. The local MEB has boarded the case and submitted it for PEB review.
• Y-PEB case Accepted. PEB has completed initial review and has all documents required to board the Marine. Marine is now pending IPEB or FPEB.

*MCTFS updates for duty limit codes require manual diary input from the unit admin or MMSR-4. If there is a question regarding current duty limit status, reach out to MMSR-4 and we will assist. Any personnel with a "X' duty limit code are expired TLD and in an unauthorized status. Units will check limdusmart website for Form 6100-6/return to full duty documentation. If none is present for the expired TLD period, direct the Marine to see the provider who requested the previous limited duty period or their PCM for re-evaluation and referral.

2. Limdusmart.health.mil website

• Unit limited duty coordinators are required to have access to this website to track and manage limited duty and DES personnel.  Unit members will only be listed with a limdusmart profile if they have previously had a period of limited duty approved, actively have an ongoing period of limited duty, or is processing through DES. 
• Review the LIMDU document upload file for evidence of current duty limit status.
• Scrolling down to the bottom of a member's profile will display a section called "EMEBR." If they are actively processing through DES, their DES referral date will be indicated here.

3. MarineOnline (MOL) website

• Personnel with "View Reports" permissions can see the current duty limit code for their personnel when scrolling down to the "Duty Status" section of their BIR.

4. Manpower.usmc.mil website

• Personnel with "Command Profile" permissions can review the number of personnel in each duty limit code category in the "Readiness" section. It also shows how long the Marine has been in that status or if they are expired and require immediate re-evaluation.