Navy & Marine Corps PEB Guide
How to Win Your Navy IDES Case
A detailed guide for Navy and Marine Corps service members facing the IDES process — covering MEB/PEB procedures, VA coordination, and strategies for maximizing your disability rating.
Download Free PDF GuideWhat Navy and Marine Corps Members Need to Know About the IDES
The Navy and Marine Corps operate under the same Integrated Disability Evaluation System framework as the other branches, but with important procedural differences. The Physical Evaluation Board for Navy and Marine Corps cases is located in Washington, D.C., and the process involves unique coordination requirements between the Navy's medical system and the VA.
Whether you are a sailor at a major fleet concentration area or a Marine at a stateside or overseas installation, the decisions made during your IDES case will determine whether you receive lifetime disability retirement or a one-time severance check. This guide explains the process and the strategies that matter most.
The Navy IDES Process — Step by Step
Step 1: MEB Referral and NARSUM
The process begins when your treating physician determines that your condition may prevent you from meeting Navy or Marine Corps retention standards. The Medical Evaluation Board documents your conditions in a Narrative Summary (NARSUM). For Navy and Marine Corps members, the NARSUM is reviewed by the Physical Evaluation Board in Washington, D.C. Errors and omissions in the NARSUM are common — a formal rebuttal with supporting medical evidence is often the most important step you can take.
Step 2: VA Examination and Rating
The VA conducts Compensation & Pension (C&P) examinations and proposes a disability rating for each unfitting condition. In the IDES, the Navy PEB is supposed to adopt the VA's proposed ratings. However, the quality of C&P exams varies widely, and the proposed rating is often too low. Both the exam quality and the rating can be challenged before the PEB issues its determination.
Step 3: Informal PEB Determination
The PEB reviews your MEB packet and VA rating and issues a written determination. You have three options: accept the findings, submit a written rebuttal, or demand a Formal PEB hearing. For Navy and Marine Corps members, the Formal PEB is held in Washington, D.C. — but Attorney Gately represents clients at these hearings regardless of location. Never accept an unfavorable IPEB finding without consulting an attorney.
Step 4: Formal PEB Hearing
At the Formal PEB, you appear before a three-officer board with your attorney. You can present evidence, call witnesses, and make legal arguments. The Formal PEB is your best opportunity to challenge an unfavorable rating or disposition before it becomes final. Attorney Gately has represented Navy and Marine Corps members at Formal PEB hearings nationwide.
Step 5: Final Disposition and Appeals
After the Formal PEB, the board issues a final determination. If the result is still unfavorable, appeal options include the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) and the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR). These post-separation remedies can correct improper ratings — but a well-prepared PEB hearing is always the better path.
Common Navy & Marine Corps IDES Issues Attorney Gately Handles
NARSUM Errors and Omissions
The NARSUM understates your condition or omits ratable diagnoses. A detailed rebuttal with supporting medical evidence can correct the record before the PEB reviews your case.
VA Rating Discrepancies
The VA proposes a rating that does not reflect the true severity of your condition. We review the C&P exam, identify examiner errors, and challenge inadequate ratings.
Separation vs. Retirement Threshold
The difference between a 29% and 30% combined rating is the difference between a one-time severance check and lifetime retirement pay. We fight for every percentage point.
Manning Shortage Pressure
Navy and Marine Corps members sometimes face pressure to accept fit-for-duty findings or low ratings due to manning needs. Your medical and legal rights are not subject to unit readiness concerns.
BCNR Petitions
If your case resulted in an improper separation or rating, the Board for Correction of Naval Records can provide relief. We prepare and litigate BCNR petitions for Navy and Marine Corps veterans.
Download the Full 2026 Navy IDES Guide
The complete guide covers every stage of the Navy and Marine Corps IDES process — including NARSUM strategy, VA rating challenges, Formal PEB preparation, and BCNR appeals. Free to download.
2026 Edition · PDF
Download Free PDFNavy or Marine Corps Member Facing a PEB?
The decisions you make in the next few days can affect your benefits for the rest of your life. Call Attorney Gately for a free consultation before you sign anything.
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