Disability board accepting applications for records review Published Jan. 16, 2009 By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Department of Defense officials here are now accepting applications from certain medically-separated veterans to have their records reviewed, potentially increasing their disability rating. "To be eligible for a review, veterans must have been medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2009", said Joe G. Lineberger, the Air Force Review Boards Agency director. "In addition, they must have a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less and not found eligible for retirement," he said. A member's current disability rating cannot be lowered and any positive change to the rating will result in the military records being corrected. The final version of the application was approved Jan. 9 by members of the Office of Management and Budget and is listed as DD Form 294. Once submitted, the Physical Disability Board of Review will put each application through the following process: -- Examine the applicant's disqualifying condition for their medical separation -- Ensure the action was fair and accurate -- Compare DOD and Veterans' Affairs ratings -- Make a recommendation as to whether the rating should be changed Anyone who has already submitted a request will be contacted so they can fill out the DD Form 294 and any other needed information to have their appeal processed, said Vic Donovan, the senior legal adviser for the AFRBA. "While we have received positive feedback on information that's been posted on the Web site since mid-October, the application couldn't be used without violating the Paperwork Reduction Act," he said. Last June, the Air Force was named the lead component to handle all DOD requests. In addition to ensuring legal requirements were observed, officials had to take on the daunting task of ensuring: -- Policy and process guidance development -- Application forms and Internet sites -- Information technology support for case management and tracking -- Testing and development of training programs -- Hiring and training of administrators -- Acquiring personnel to support the board from all services -- Facility resources for the placement of the actual board -- All support and supply chains necessary for a new organization "Now that everything is in place, we're ready to do what we can to ensure each application is reviewed by the board," said Dr. Horace Carson, the senior medical adviser for the agency. "We're ready to help every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman we can." The form and other information are available at www.health.mil/Pages/Page.aspx?ID=19.