Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 6040.44
July 2, 2015
Incorporating Change 1, December 4, 2017
USD(P&R)
SUBJECT: Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR)
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This instruction:
a. Reissues DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6040.44 (Reference (a)) in accordance with the
authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5124.02 (Reference (b)) to establish policies, assign
responsibilities, and provide procedures for PDBR operation and management as required by
section 1554a of Title 10, United States Code (Reference (c)).
b. Designates the Secretary of the Air Force as the lead agent for the establishment,
operation, and management of the PDBR for DoD.
2. APPLICABILITY. This instruction applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the
Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD
Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in
this instruction as the “DoD Components”).
3. POLICY. It is DoD policy that:
a. The PDBR will reassess the accuracy and fairness of the combined disability ratings
assigned former Service members who:
(1) Were separated, with a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less during the
period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on December 31, 2009, due to unfitness for
continued military service, resulting from a physical disability as described in chapter 61 of
Reference (c); and
(2) Were not found to be eligible for retirement, including former Reserve Component
Service members with 20 satisfactory years.
