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

Dual Processing Medical Boards While Pending Legal

Information Coming Soon

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 of requesting FPEB 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 in MCTFS)
• All required VA exams completed during this phase for IDES pathway

Phase 2:  IPEB- Informal Physical Evaluation Board

• 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

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

Home Awaiting Orders Requests

I Don't Want to Medically Separate: Termination or Waiver of DES Process

What to Expect After Accepting Findings Through Your PEBLO

Information for Marines placed on the TDRL

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

Resources

Wounded Warrior Regiment