R 191840Z APR 16

MARADMIN 209/16

MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA//

SUBJ/ SHARING OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) DISABILITY RATING FOR MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVE//

REF/A/OASD-RA MEMO/20140212//

REF/B/SECNAVINST 6120.3/20070914//

NARR/REFERENCE A IS OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEMORANDUM DATED 12 FEBRUARY 2014 WHICH DIRECTS THE RESERVE COMPONENTS OF THE ARMED FORCES TO ENTER INTO A DATA USE AGREEMENT IN ORDER TO RECEIVE VA DISABILITY INFORMATION.  REFERENCE B IS THE SECNAV PERIODIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT (PHA) FOR INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL READINESS INSTRUCTION.//

POC/E. J. WUNDERLICH/LTCOL/UNIT: RAP-1/TEL: 703-784-9138/EMAIL: RAP(AT)USMC.MIL//

GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  In accordance with reference (a), this MARADMIN disseminates guidance for the use of VA disability ratings for Reserve Marines, accessible through COGNOS REPORTNET Operational Data Store Enterprise (ODSE) via Marine OnLine beginning 22 April 2016.

2.  Background.  Statistically, eight percent of all Reserve Marines serving in the Ready Reserve have a disability rating from the VA.  Recently, officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense signed a data use agreement for the sharing of disability percentages.  This information does not include the nature of the rating and consists of percentages only.

3.  Intent.  The purpose of this initiative is to provide awareness to commanders of VA disability ratings of Reserve Marines, so that military duties are not assigned which may inadvertently impede VA health care efforts or possibly cause health and safety concerns to other Marines.

4.  Execution

    a.  Beginning 22 April 2016, administrative personnel will be able to retrieve VA disability ratings for Reserve Marines via COGNOS REPORTNET ODSE.

    b.  Medical personnel performing Physical Health Assessments (PHAs) on Reserve Marines should request VA disability rating information from supporting administrative personnel.  During the face-to-face assessment portion of a PHA, medical personnel may ask questions concerning the details of the Reserve Marines VA disability rating.  Medical personnel should use the VA disability rating as an additional PHA component whenever a determination for physical fitness is required, in accordance with reference (b).

5.  Restriction.  VA disability ratings will never solely be used to disqualify Reserve Marines from unit affiliation.  Units will not request Reserve Marines who are eligible for VA benefits to forego VA health care in order to serve in the Ready Reserve.

6.  This message is applicable to the Marine Corps Reserve.

7.  Release authorized by Col R. T. Tobin, Director, Reserve Affairs Division, Acting.//