US Military

  1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. US Military
Military Medical Standards for Continued Service
Abdomen and Gastrointestinal System
 More of this Feature
• Medical Standards Menu  
 Join the Discussion
Visit Our Message Forum   
 Related Resources
• Initial Entry Medical Standards
• Military Medical Resources
• Submarine Duty Medical
• Air Force Flight Physicals
 

The following medical conditions could result in initiation of a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), and could result in medical discharge:

Esophageal

Achalasia (cardiospasm), manifested by dysphagia not controlled by dilation with frequent discomfort, or inability to maintain normal vigor and nutrition.

Esophagitis, persistent and severe.

Diverticulum of the esophagus which causes frequent regurgitation, obstruction, and weight loss, and does not respond to treatment.

Stricture of the esophagus which requires an essentially liquid diet, frequent dilation and hospitalization, and causes difficulty in maintaining weight and nutrition.

Gastritis. Severe, chronic gastritis with repeated symptoms requiring hospitalization and confirmed by gastroscopic examination.

Hernia

Hiatus hernia with severe symptoms not relieved by dietary or medical therapy or with recurrent bleeding in spite of prescribed therapy.

Other types of hernias, if operative repair is contraindicated for medical reasons, or if not amenable to surgical repair.

Ulcer. Peptic, duodenal or gastric with repeated incapacitations or absences from duty because of recurrence of symptoms despite good medical management and supported by laboratory and Xray evidence of activity or severe deformity.

Cirrhosis of the liver. Recurrent jaundice or ascites or demonstrable esophageal varices or history of bleeding from them.

Hepatitis. Chronic, when symptoms persist after a reasonable time following the acute stage and there is objective evidence of impairment of liver function.

Amebic abscess residuals. Persistent abnormal liver function tests and failure to maintain weight and normal vigor after appropriate treatment.

Pancreatitis, chronic. Recurrent pseudocystitis or frequent abdominal pain requiring hospitalization or steatorrhea, or disturbance of glucose metabolism requiring insulin.

Peritoneal adhesions. Recurring episodes of intestinal obstruction, characterized by abdominal colicky pain, and vomiting, and requiring frequent admissions to the hospital.

Granulomatous enteritis or enterocolitis or Crohn’s disease.

Ulcerative colitis.

Stricture of rectum. Severe symptoms of obstruction characterized by intractable constipation, pain on defecation, and difficult bowel movements which require the regular use of laxatives, enemas, or repeated hospitalization.

Proctitis, chronic. Moderate to severe symptoms of bleeding, painful defecation, or tenesmus, and diarrhea with repeated admissions to the hospital.

Anus. Impairment of sphincter control with fecal incontinence.

Familial polyposis.

Surgery.

Colectomy, partial, when more than mild symptoms of diarrhea remain.

Colostomy, when permanent.

Enterostomy, when permanent.

Gastrectomy, total.

Gastrectomy, subtotal with or without vagotomy, or gastrojejunostomy or pyloroplasty with or without vagotomy, when, in spite of good medical management, the individual:

Develops incapacitating dumping syndrome.

Develops frequent episodes of incapacitating epigastric distress with characteristic circulatory symptoms or diarrhea.

Continues to demonstrate significant weight loss.

Gastrostomy, when permanent.

Ileostomy, when permanent.

Pancreatectomy, except for partial pancreatectomy for a benign condition which does not result in moderate residual symptoms.

Pancreaticoduodenostomy, pancreaticogastrostomy, and pancreaticojejunostomy.

Proctectomy.

Proctoplexy, proctoplasty, proctorrhaphy, or proctotomy, if fecal incontinence remains after appropriate treatment.

Above Information Derived from Air Force Instruction 148-23

Subscribe to the Newsletter
Name
Email

 

Explore US Military

About.com Special Features

How to Write a Cover Letter

Looking for a new job? Use these tips and put your best foot forward. More >

Online Degrees in Hard Times

Ten reasons earning an online degree during a recession is a great idea. More >

US Military

  1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. US Military

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.