Impact of illness per ICD-9 classification on progression to physical evaluation board for U.S. Marines placed on limited duty status 2006-2010

Abstract

Mission readiness is of paramount importance to Marine Corps commanders. Personnel medically unable to perform at full capacity negatively affect a unit's readiness and ability to accomplish mission objectives. A retrospective cohort study was designed to evaluate the impact of diseases and conditions per International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Revision 9 (ICD-9) classification of primary diagnosis on likelihood of progressing to Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for U.S. Marines placed on Limited Duty. A total of 30,937 records belonging to 19,042 unique individuals were identified in the Medical Board Online Tri-Service Tracking System database over the study surveillance period. Approximately half (9,133) of all Marines placed on Limited Duty were eventually referred to PEB. After multivariate adjustment Marines with a primary ICD-9 diagnosis indicating a blood disorder (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 2.1-8.1) or nervous system disorder (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 2.8- 3.8) were at greater risk of progressing to PEB as compared to the lowest risk group, Marines with an orthopedic diagnosis. Occupational category, rank grouping, race/ethnicity, and ICD-9 category had statistically significant impacts of varying magnitude on the risk of progressing to PEB; no significant difference was found for sex. © Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S. All rights reserved.