If you’re an active-duty service member dealing with a medical condition that affects your ability to perform your duties, you may have heard of the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL).
This program is a safety net designed to support service members who are found medically unfit for duty but whose conditions might improve over time.
It’s a temporary status offering support while determining whether a service member’s condition will improve, stabilize, or worsen.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what the TDRL process is, how it works, and what you need to know to navigate this important phase of your military career.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- TDRL Meaning and Purpose: The Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) serves as a safety net for active-duty service members who are medically unfit for duty but whose conditions may improve. It allows the military time to assess whether a service member’s medical condition will stabilize, improve, or worsen.
- Eligibility Criteria: To be placed on TDRL, a service member must be diagnosed with a medical condition that prevents them from fulfilling their duties. The condition must be temporary or unstable, with a minimum disability rating of 30% from the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB).
- Duration on TDRL: For those placed on TDRL after January 1, 2017, the maximum time allowed is three years, while service members placed before that date may remain on the list for up to five years. Periodic re-evaluations are conducted every 6 to 18 months to assess the condition’s progress.
- Outcomes After Re-Evaluation: Following periodic evaluations, the military will make one of three decisions: return the service member to active duty, permanently retire them by placing them on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL), or separate them from service with severance pay if the condition does not meet the 30% disability threshold.
What Does TDRL Mean for Military Disability?
The Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) is a program managed by the Department of Defense (DoD) for service members who are found medically unfit for duty but whose condition may improve.
If placed on TDRL, it means the military has recognized your disability but is uncertain if it is permanent.
This program allows the military time to periodically evaluate your condition to see if it stabilizes, worsens, or improves enough for you to return to active duty.
TDRL was created to protect service members from being prematurely separated or permanently retired due to a potentially short-term or recoverable disability.
Think of it as a waiting period for doctors, medical experts, and the military to assess how your condition progresses.
Who is Eligible for TDRL?
To be placed on TDRL, you must meet certain criterial, including:
- Medically Unfit for Duty: You must be diagnosed with a condition that prevents you from fulfilling your duties.
- Condition Considered Temporary or Unstable: If your condition is not stable or your recovery prognosis is uncertain, you could be eligible for TDRL.
- A Minimum 30% Disability Rating from the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB): The PEB assigns a rating based on the severity of your condition, and a rating of 30% or higher makes you eligible for TDRL.
How Long Can You Stay on TDRL?
For service members placed on TDRL after January 1, 2017, the maximum time allowed is three years.
However, those placed on TDRL before this date can remain on the list for up to five years.
During this time, the military will conduct periodic re-evaluations of your condition—typically every 6 to 18 months—to assess whether your condition has improved, worsened, or stabilized.
If, after these evaluations, your disability rating drops below 30% and you have fewer than 20 years of active service, you may be removed from the TDRL and separated from service with severance pay.
This structured timeline ensures that service members with potential for recovery are not retired prematurely, while also allowing time to make a final determination about their disability status.
What Happens During a TDRL Military Review?
Every 6 to 18 months, you will be required to undergo a medical re-evaluation.
This includes an updated medical examination to assess your current health status and determine if your condition has changed.
After the re-evaluation, the military will make one of three determinations:
- Return to Duty: If your condition improves and you are found fit for service, you may be returned to active duty.
- TDRL to PDRL Transition: If your condition is deemed permanent and stable, you may be permanently retired and placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL).
- Separation from Service: If your condition is deemed stable but doesn’t meet the minimum 30% disability rating, you could be separated from service with severance pay.
Pay and Benefits on TDRL Explained
While on TDRL, you continue to receive disability retirement pay based on your disability rating and years of service.
Pay is typically calculated at 50% of your base pay or based on your disability percentage, whichever is more favorable to you.
Your pay amount can also be adjusted during re-evaluations based on any changes in your condition.
Additionally, while you are on TDRL, you continue to have access to military healthcare benefits for yourself and eligible family members.
You may also qualify for veterans’ benefits depending on your specific situation.
Pro Tips for Navigating the TDRL
- Stay on Top of Medical Evaluations: Ensure you attend all required medical evaluations to avoid disruption in your benefits or retirement pay. Missing re-evaluations can result in delays or suspension of your benefits.
- Document Everything: Keep thorough medical records, including all diagnoses, treatments, and evaluations. This documentation will be critical during your periodic evaluations and can be used to appeal any unfavorable decisions.
- Know Your Rights: If you disagree with the military’s assessment of your condition or the outcome of your re-evaluation, you have the right to appeal the decision through appropriate channels.
- Prepare for Re-Evaluations: Be proactive about your treatment and rehabilitation efforts. Understand that the military will reassess your condition regularly, and you should be prepared for the possibility of returning to active duty or transitioning into permanent retirement.
- Consult with Experts: The TDRL process can be complex and confusing. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a legal advisor, medical expert, or VA claims specialist to ensure you understand your rights and options.
Conclusion & Wrap-Up
The Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) offers protection and financial support to service members whose medical conditions are uncertain.
While it may feel like a period of limbo, it’s essential to use this time wisely by focusing on recovery, documenting your medical progress, and preparing for the next steps—whether that’s returning to duty or transitioning into permanent retirement.
Navigating the TDRL can be complicated, but with the right strategy, you can make informed decisions that protect your health, well-being, and future.
If you’re currently facing the TDRL process or have questions about your disability rating, don’t hesitate to reach out for expert guidance.
Always remember this: your military service matters, and you deserve to be fully supported on this journey!
Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL): Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL)?
The Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) is a program that temporarily retires service members who are medically unfit for duty due to a condition that is expected to either improve or worsen over time. During this period, the military monitors the condition to determine if the member can return to active duty, remain retired with a permanent disability, or be separated from service with severance pay. Here’s another great list of FAQs about TDRL.
How do I get placed on TDRL?
To be placed on the TDRL, the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) must determine that a service member’s medical condition is not stable enough for a permanent retirement decision but could improve over time. The member must receive a minimum disability rating of 30% through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) process. The condition must be considered temporary or likely to change within a specified timeframe.
What benefits do I receive while on TDRL?
While on TDRL, you will receive a minimum of 50% of your base pay as a temporary disability retirement benefit, but this amount can be higher depending on your condition’s severity. You continue to have access to military health benefits for yourself and eligible family members. In addition, you may qualify for and receive VA disability compensation alongside your TDRL benefits.
How often will I be re-evaluated while on TDRL?
Re-evaluations are typically conducted every 6 to 18 months while you are on TDRL. These evaluations are designed to determine whether your condition has improved, worsened, or stabilized. If you miss a scheduled evaluation or fail to provide the necessary medical documentation, your TDRL benefits may be suspended until the issue is resolved.
What happens if my condition improves while on TDRL?
If your medical condition improves to the point where you are deemed fit for duty, the PEB may recommend that you return to active duty. In this case, your TDRL benefits would end, and you would resume your normal military duties. If you’re eligible, you may also opt for separation or retirement instead of returning to active duty.
How long can I stay on TDRL?
Service members placed on the TDRL after January 1, 2017, can remain on the list for up to three years. For those placed on TDRL before that date, the maximum period is five years. After this time, the PEB will make a final determination regarding your condition, which could result in returning to duty, being placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL), or being separated from service.
Can I choose to stay on TDRL beyond five years?
No, the TDRL has a maximum duration of five years for those placed on the list before 2017, and three years for those added after January 1, 2017. After this period, the PEB will make a final decision regarding your status based on your re-evaluation results. The options are to return to active duty, transition to PDRL, or be separated from service.
Can I request to be placed on TDRL?
No, placement on TDRL is not something a service member can request. The decision to place you on TDRL is made solely by the PEB based on your medical evaluation and the likelihood of your condition changing within the specified timeframe.
What happens if my condition worsens while on TDRL?
If your condition worsens during your time on TDRL, the PEB may transfer you to the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL). In this case, you would receive a permanent disability rating, which could increase your retirement benefits based on the severity of your condition.
What’s the difference between TDRL and PDRL?
The key difference between TDRL and PDRL is the nature of the service member’s medical condition. TDRL is for those with conditions that may improve or worsen over time, allowing for possible return to duty. PDRL, on the other hand, is for service members with permanent and stable conditions, making them eligible for permanent retirement benefits.
Will my TDRL benefits stop if I miss a re-evaluation?
Yes, if you miss a scheduled re-evaluation or fail to provide the necessary medical documentation, your TDRL benefits may be suspended. It’s important to attend all re-evaluations and provide updated medical records to avoid interruptions in your benefits.
What happens at the end of the TDRL period?
At the end of your TDRL period (3 or 5 years), the PEB will make a final determination regarding your medical condition. Based on this evaluation, you may: (#1) return to active duty if your condition has sufficiently improved, (#2) be permanently retired and placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) if your condition is stable and meets the required disability rating, or (#3) be medically separated with severance pay if your condition does not meet the 30% rating threshold for retirement.
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
