Army members on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) have physical disabilities that deem them unfit for military duty, but the disability has not sufficiently stabilized to accurately assess its permanent degree of disability. The Secretary of the Army is required by law to maintain the TDRL, and has delegated responsibility for this function to the Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) Army Human Resources Command (AHRC-PDB).
TDRL placement is determined by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), which is governed by the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency (USAPDA).If you are placed on the TDRL, you may remain on the TDRL for up to five years, providing your condition does not change during that time. If at any time you are found fit for duty, you may be removed from the TDRL and returned to active duty. If your disability stabilizes and is rated at 30 percent or greater, you will be transferred to the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL). If your disability stabilizes and is rated at less than 30 percent and you do not have 20 years of service, you will be discharged from the TDRL with severance pay.
If you are placed on the TDRL, please take note of the following:
For additional information on TDRL, please reference the following resources:
How long can I stay on TDRL?
What if I change my mailing address or place of residence while I am on the TDRL?
Must I undergo TDRL physical examinations if I have elected to receive Veterans Administration compensation instead of retired pay from the Army?
Where will my TDRL examinations take place?
When and how will I be scheduled for examination?
What if I am physically incapable of traveling to the hospital by myself?
Am I required to report for examinations if I am attending school or have a job?
Will I be paid for my personal expenses incurred in traveling to the hospital for my examination, and what if I do not have sufficient money to make the trip?
What if I fail to report for a scheduled examination?
Who should I contact if I have questions about my physical examinations or other matters pertaining to my status on the TDRL?
What if I do not receive my monthly Army retired paycheck or have other problems concerning my pay?
Five years. The law requires that a final determination be made before the fifth anniversary of placement on the TDRL. However, you may be removed from TDRL at an earlier date whenever a periodic examination discloses that your medical condition has stabilized for rating purposes. The law also directs the termination of Army retired pay if a final determination is not made at the end of five years. See AR 635-40, para 7-11b (4); 10 USC 1210 .
You are required to keep the USAPDA advised of changes in your address. It is essential that you do so in order for contact to be made promptly when being scheduled for your periodic physical examination and notification of your final PEB determination. You will receive a notification letter and other pertinent information four (4) months prior to each scheduled examination as annotated in block 9 on the DA Form 199. You should promptly notify USAPDA by letter, email or telephone whenever there is a change to your mailing address. Failure to keep the USAPDA informed of any address changes could jeopardize your entitlement to disability retirement benefits. Send change of address information to: Headquarters, Physical Disability Agency, ATTN: TDRL Branch, 2530 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202; call toll free to 1-855-863-0426; or email: usarmy.pentagon.hrc.mbx.usapda-tdrl@mail.mil .
Yes. You are required by law to undergo periodic physical examinations as ordered by the Secretary of the Army. This requirement exists even if you waive Army retired pay in favor of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation or are receiving treatment at a VA hospital. Examinations administered by the VA to determine the amount of compensation you are eligible to receive from that agency cannot take the place of examinations required by the Army.
Your medical file will normally be referred to the Army Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) closest to your home. The hospital commander will be responsible for conducting the examination at his facility or scheduling it at another federal medical facility or civilian hospital/clinic at or near your home. If your re-examination is being done by Ivan Walks and Associates (IWA), they will schedule you at a doctor’s office or medical facility that is normally within 150 miles of your home.
The USAPDA will forward a letter to the designated hospital four (4) months in advance requesting that a physical examination be conducted. After an appointment has been made for you, the hospital commander will send you additional correspondence advising you of the exact date and time to report. If your re-examination is being done by IWA, you will receive correspondence notifying you of the exact date(s) and time(s) of your scheduled appointment (s). See AR 635-40, para 7-9 .
If medically required, a relative or friend can accompany you to a reexamination as a non-medical attendant (NMA). The NMA will be issued Department of the Army Invitational Travel orders for their trip and can be reimbursed for authorized expenses. Requests must be made in advance with accompanying medical documentation citing the need for a NMA, and signed by the examining physician. See AR 635-40, para 7-10e .
Yes. You must report for your examinations even if they interfere with your job or school enrollment. In this situation, USAPDA will furnish a statement, upon request, explaining the legal requirement for your absence to undergo a physical examination, which you can present to your employer or school officials.
Yes. You will be reimbursed. Reimbursement is determined in accordance with the Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR). Effective 1 October 2011, all TDRL travel will be processed using the Defense Travel System (DTS). If air or ground travel is required, travel arrangements must be made through the Commercial Travel Office (CTO-currently Carlson Travel) by calling 1-800-756-6111. If travel by POV is more advantageous to the government, you will be authorized to travel by POV to your appointment and are entitled to mileage reimbursement for that travel. Your travel orders will normally not authorize a rental car. If you require the use of a rental car you must submit a request through your PEBLO/VELO prior to your travel and your orders will have to be amended. Rental cars must also be reserved through the CTO. If your trip is greater than 12 hours in duration you are also authorized meal reimbursement. If you do not have sufficient money to make the trip you may request a travel advance by contacting your PEBLO/VELO for assistance. You should do so at least 10 days prior to your travel, and must have a bank account for your travel to be posted. Your PEBLO/VELO will also assist you with completing your form for reimbursement of authorized expenses. It is strongly encouraged that you discuss your travel arrangements with your PEBLO/VELO prior to travel to the hospital to ensure that you are clear on your entitlements. The same rules apply to travel to a formal PEB if required.
The law specifies that your entitlement to receive Army retired pay will be terminated if you fail to report for a physical examination without showing just cause. Once terminated, your entitlements are not reinstated until you undergo an examination. You must promptly notify the hospital at which you are scheduled if you cannot attend a scheduled appointment. Repeated failure to report for examinations may result in suspension of retired pay or administrative removal from the TDRL on the fifth anniversary of placement thereon without entitlement to any of the benefits resulting from disability separation or retirement. See AR 635-40, para 7-11b; 10 USC 1210 .
In addition to contacting your PEBLO/VELO, you may contact the USAPDA TDRL Branch at 1-855-863-0426 or via email at usarmy.pentagon.hrc.mbx.usapda-tdrl@mail.mil .
Contact the Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS) at:
DFAS Military Retirement Pay
P.O. Box 7130
London, KY 40742-7130
or call 1-800-321-1080.
