What is the role of the MEB physician in the MEB process?

• A. Conducts a comprehensive medical evaluation, determines eligibility for the MEB, and documents results in the Narrative Summary
• B. Plans surgery and postoperative care only
• C. Drafts leave and duty status paperwork
• D. Assesses unit deployment readiness and fitness for combat

Answer: (A)

The MEB physician’s job is to perform a thorough medical evaluation of the service member, determine whether their condition meets the criteria for referral to an MEB, and document the findings in the Narrative Summary. This involves reviewing the medical history, conducting a focused exam, considering relevant tests, and judging how the condition affects duty performance and medical stability. Based on this assessment, the physician decides if the member is eligible for the MEB and clearly records the conclusions and recommended disposition in the Narrative Summary, which guides the rest of the process toward retention, medical retirement, or separation.

The other options don’t fit this role: planning surgery and postoperative care is the surgeon’s responsibility; drafting leave and duty status paperwork is an administrative task; and assessing unit deployment readiness and fitness for combat is a broader readiness assessment done by the unit or command, not the MEB physician.