Medical surveillance examinations assess the
health status of individuals as it relates to their work.
Although these exams are not physical examinations
as described in this chapter, they are actually
surveillance examinations that produce specific
information with regard to an individuals health
during actual or potential exposure to hazardous
materials (i.e., the Asbestos Medical Surveillance
Program [AMSP]). Specific guidance on the Asbestos
Medical Surveillance Program
is provided in
OPNAVINST 5100.23. Another example of a medical
surveillance program is the Occupational Noise
Control and Hearing Conservation Program.
Personnel who work in areas of high sound generation
(e.g., flight deck of carrier) must be evaluated
periodically for hearing loss. Specific guidance on the
O c c u p a t i o n a l N o i s e C o n t r o l a n d H e a r i n g
C o n s e r v a t i o n
P r o g r a m
i s
p r o v i d e d
i n
NAVMEDCOMINST 6260.5 and OPNAVINST
5100.23.
MEDICAL BOARD EXAMINATIONS AND
REPORTS
Medical review boards are the single most
important factor in determining fitness for duty in
todays Navy. Medical boards are convened and
reviews are conducted to determine the various
degrees of fitness for military service.
Local
(re)evaluations are scheduled to assess patient
progress and length of limited duty, or need for a
formal evaluation at NAVPERSCOM or the Physical
Evaluation Board (PEB). The following examples
illustrate the legal guidelines, requirements, and job
descriptions for the different types of medical boards
and describe the duties of the personnel responsible.
Abbreviated Temporary Limited Duty (TLD)
Medical Board Report
The abbreviated board report is used only when a
member is expected to return to full duty after an
adequate period of treatment. Processing time should
not exceed 6 working days, and under most
circumstances, the report should be completed in 3
working days. The board report is a local action taken
by an appropriate medical or dental officer and does
not require external departmental review by
NAVPERSCOM. The form (NAVMED 6100/5) used
for this report is a multi-copy form. It is a vehicle for
recording basic medical findings, plans, and
expectations in terms of prognosis and length of
medical restriction of activity. It also provides for
parent command acknowledgment and comment. This
form serves as excellent input for the putting
performance into practice form in the members
health record; however, it is not a substitute for
detailed documentation of conditions in the members
health record. The Abbreviated TLD Medical Board
Report (NAVMED 6100/5) is to be used when all of the
following criteria are met:
The member is enlisted in the U.S. Navy or
Marine Corps.
The member suffers from an uncomplicated
illness or injury which makes them temporarily
unable to fully perform duties to which they are
assigned or expected to be assigned, but will
most likely be fit for full duty after an adequate
period of treatment not exceeding 8 months.
The members health or clinical record contains
adequate documentation on the nature and
circumstances of the illness or injury, its course,
prognosis, and treatment.
Patient (Re)evaluation/TLD Duration
Once a member has been placed on TLD, the
physician, dental officer, or Independent Duty
Corpsman (IDC) (when in an independent operational
duty environment), will
conduct a detailed treatment/rehabilitation
assessment and develop a treatment/ rehabilita-
tion plan;
ensure follow-up evaluations every 2 months,
documenting at each evaluation objective
findings of continued unsuitability, progress
toward recovery, findings and recommendations
of specialty evaluations, modifications to the
treatment/ rehabilitation plan, and prognosis for
return to worldwide assignability; and
obtain approval from NAVPERSCOM
(NPC-821) or CMC (MMSR-4), via the patient
administration Limited Duty (LIMDU)
Coordinator for periods of TLD less than 8
months, or via a formal board (NPC-821 or
MMSR-4) for periods longer than 8 months.
Approval must be obtained via formal board if the initial
recommended period of TLD exceeds 8 months, and the
total period a member can be on LIMDU must not
exceed 16 months.
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