ARMY ORDFER 3/2001

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN THE ARMY – INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEDICAL

EXAMINATION AND CATEGORISATION OF SERVING JCOs/ORs

AIM

1. This Army Order lays down instructions/procedures for carrying out medical
examination and categorisation of serving JCOs/ORs.

2. This AO supersedes all existing instructions on the subject and is laid out in the
following parts :-

PART I - Policy on medical examination of JCOs/OR

PART II - Instructions on periodic med exam for JCOs only
PART III - Instruction on medical categorisation of JCOs/OR
Part IV - Miscellaneous aspects

PART I – POLICY ON MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF JCOs/OR

General :-
3. The objective of medical examination (ME) is to detect diseases at an early stage when
it may be latent and institute timely preventive and curative measures to promote positive
health. It is the unit and the indl who will be responsible to get this ME carried out. ME will
only be carried out by the authorised medical attendant (AMA). For routine investigations, they
will be dependent on the nearest Fd Amb/ Hospital.

Schedule of ME

4. ME for JCOs/OR will be carried out once a year, two months before the initiation of
ACR and in the months of Mar to Jun for those individuals for whom there is no ACR.

Types of Medical Examinations

5. All JCOs/OR will be reqd to undergo the following ME.

(a) Annual Medical Examination (AME).

(b) Periodic Medical examination – for JCOs only. At the age of 41 years i.e. on
completion of 40 yrs of age or within one year of promotion to Nb Sub
whichever is earlier

(c) Med Exam prior to release – as per AO 3/89.

Clinical examination

6. A complete clinical examination and relevant investigations as considered necessary by

the AMA will be carried out. The body weight will be checked as per age, height and weight
chart as per Appendix ‘A’ to this AO. Those individuals, found to be over-weight will be
disposed off as per guidelines given in Part IV (a) to this AO. The details of findings including
medical advice, if any, will be entered in the individual’s health record card (HRC). The details
of HRC are given at Appx ‘B’ to this AO.

Lab investigations :-.

7. Urine for sugar and proteins will be carried out for OR at the time of 1st ME during 26th
year of age i.e. after completion of 25 years of age and in the 36th year of age and thereafter
every 5 years. For JCOs, urine for sugar and proteins will be carried out every year. In addition,
any other investigations as considered necessary by the AMA will also be carried out.

PART II –PERIODIC MEDICAL BOARDS : JCOs

8. Periodic medical board will be held for JCOs at 41 st year of age i.e. on completion of
40 years of age or within one year of promotion to Nb Sub rank, whichever is earlier, at the
nearest hospitals.

9. The JCO will be examined by all specialists including Dental, Eye and ENT specialists.
Following Lab Investigations will be carried out :-

(a) Blood : Hb%, TLC,DLC, Urine RE and Sp gravity, Sugar Fasting and PP,
Cholesterol(Lipid Profile if cholesterol level is more than 200 mg/dl), Urea, creatinine,

(b) X-Ray chest PA view.

(c) Resting ECG.

10. The board proceedings will be recorded in AFMSF-3 in triplicate and will be approved
by ADMS Div/DDMS Area/Corps. After approval all the copies will be sent back to the unit
for further distribution as under :-

(a) Record Office - 1 copy

(b) Unit concerned - 1 copy
(c ) Fd Service documents – 1 copy

11. If it is necessary to downgrade the medical category of the JCO then the proceedings
are to be recorded in AFMSF-15 and the disposal will be given as per part III of this AO.

PART III-Medical Categorisation of serving JCOs/OR

12. Serving JCOs/OR will be medically categorised in accordance with the physical
standards and instructions given in Appendix ‘C’; to this AO. Medically fit JCOs/OR in all
respects covering every factor of SHAPE will be in medical category SHAPE-1.

13. All personnel, who are placed in category ‘2’ in any of the SHAPE factor, whether
temporary or permanent, are fit for employment on suitable duties. However, in deciding the
employability of such personnel, any specific restrictions laid down by medical authorities will
be kept in view. They are not required to attend daily sick parades as a routine.

14. Category ‘3’ embraces all personnel who are not fit for active service with
units/formation HQ involved in actual fighting, but are fit for such duties, which do not involve
severe stress and strain.

15. JCOs/OR are deemed to be placed in medical category “4” of SHAPE profile when
admitted to a military hospital or discharged therefrom on sick leave. No JCO/OR will
therefore, be allowed to resume duty unless re-examined and passed fit by competent medical
authority on expiry of the period of sick leave, or annual leave granted in lieu of sick leave.
The sick leave/annual leave will be granted in accordance with para 427 (a) of DSR : RMSAF
– 1983.

16. Personnel placed in category ‘5’ i.e. those who are permanently unfit for any military
duty will be brought before an invaliding medical board and disposal will be given as per para
427(b) and (c) of RMSAF-1983. Such cases should be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.

17. After categorisation, all individuals in categories ‘2’ and ‘3’, will be returned to their
respective Units/Formations or Regiment/Corps/Centre/Depot, depending upon the
employability restrictions recommended by the medical board. Services of low category
personnel returned to units will be utilized as best as possible. If it is not found possible to
utilize the services of any individual in his unit he will be returned to his Regt/corps’
Centre/Depot.

18. In case of units located in field/operational/high altitude areas, each case will be
examined by the OC unit in consultation with MO, who will make specific recommendations
on the employability of the individual in those areas, after taking into account the disability,
employability restrictions recommended and the duties on which he will be employed. In the
event of hostilities/operations breaking out in the above areas, each individual case will be
reviewed and only those low medical category personnel will be retained who are considered
fit to perform specific duties. Those not considered fit, will be returned to their Regt/Corps’
Centre/Depot.

19. Commanding Officers will assist medical officers in maintaining accurate medical
standards of all personnel serving under their command by keeping a constant watch on their
medical categorisation. They are responsible to ensure that :-
(a) The medical Category of those placed in temporary category is reassessed on
completion of the prescribed period.
 (b) The medical category of those placed in permanent medical category is
reassessed every two years except in cases where the AMA considers that the existing
medical category of any individual is to be downgraded. In such cases, the individual
should be brought before a duly constituted medical board immediately.

PART IV – MISCELLANEOUS ASPECTS

PART IV(a) – POLICY ON DISPOSAL OF OVERWEIGHT

JCOs, NCOs AND OR

20. During ME of JCOs. NCOs and OR, the body weight will be checked as per the age,
height and weight chart published at Appx ‘A’ to this Order and disposal will be as under:-

(a) (i) If weight is more than 10 per cent but less than 20 per cent over and
above the ideal body weight (IBW), the individual has no symptoms/signs of
any disease and no abnormality is detected even after investigations, the
individual will be advised in writing in the sick report book to reduce his weight
within 12 weeks by strict dieting and physical exercises.

(ii) After 12 weeks, if the individual, has not brought down his body weight
to less than 10 percent over and above his IBW, he will be placed in medical
category P2(T-24)

(iii) At the end of one year, if the individual continues to be overweight by

more than 10 per cent over his IBW, he will be downgraded to category P-
2(Perm) and will be debarred from promotion to the next higher rank.

(iv) After the individual is placed in permanent LMC for obesity, no

sheltered employment will be given. After contractual period of service
individuals may be released from service as per AR-13.

(b) If the body weight is in excess of IBW by more than 20 percent, investigations
will be carried out with a view to exclude any metabolic abnormality and he will
be placed in medical category P-2(T-24). Rest is as per Para 20(a)(iii) above.

Part IV (b) – MANAGEMENT OF J COs/OR IN LMC FOR

ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE/DRUG ABUSE

21. Alcohol dependence and drug abuse are incompatible with military service/ ethos and
all such cases should be invalided out of service unless the patient shows an unequivocal
determination to give up the use of alcohol/drug for good in the shortest time span.

22. In view of the above, the following instructions for disposal of alcohol dependence/drug
abuse cases may be strictly adhered to:-
 (a) Alcohol dependence/drug abuse cases will be observed in temporary LMC S-
3(T-24) initially if showing favourable response to treatment.

(b) If during the period of observation vide 2(a), his condition relapses or there is a
derogatory AFMSF-10 initiated, he should be invalided out of service.

(c) After six months of observation in LMC S-3 (T-24), if AFMSF-10 is

complimentary and patient on adequate observation in hospital shows signs of
abstinence (there should not be any ‘symptom/sign of withdrawal when no alcohol/drug
are allowed to be used in psychiatric ward), then patient should be upgraded to medical
category S-2(T-24).

(d) After six months of observation in S-2 (T-24), if AFMSF-10 is complimentary

and patient shows signs of abstinence, he should be upgraded to S-1.

(e) During this period of observation in S-2 (T-24) if CO of patient refers him to
psychiatrist with adverse remarks and patient shows sign of relapse, then also he should
be invalided out.

(f) If after upgradation to S-1, the patient shows any time any sign of relapse and
referred by CO/MO to psychiatrist with adverse remarks in AFMSF-10, then also the
patient should be invalided out of service.

23. AO 146/77 is hereby cancelled.

 Appx ‘A’ to AO 3/2001
(Refer para 6 of Part I)

Male Average Nude Weights in Kilograms for Different age Groups and Heights
(10% Variation on Either Side of Average Acceptable)
Height in __________________AGE IN YEARS___________________________
Cms* 15-17 18-22 23-27 28-32 33-37 38-42 43-47 48 & above_____________
Kg Kg Kg Kg Kg Kg Kg Kg __________
156 48 49 51 52.5 53.5 54 54.5 55
158 49 50 52 54 55 55.5 56 56.5
160 50 51 53 55 56 56.5 57 57.5
162 51 52.5 54.5 56 57.5 58 58.5 59
164 52.5 53.5 55.5 57.5 59 59.5 60 60.5
166 53.5 55 57 59 60.5 61 61.5 62
168 55 56.5 58.5 60.5 62 63 63.5 64
170 56.5 58 60 62 64 64.5 65 65.5
172 58 60 61.5 63.5 65.5 66 66.5 67.5
174 59.5 61 63.5 65.5 67.5 68 68.5 69
176 61 62.5 65 67 69 69.5 70 71
178 62.5 64 66.5 68.5 70.5 71.5 72 72.5
180 64 65.5 68 70.5 72.5 73 74 74.5
182 66 67.5 69.5 72 74 75 75.5 76.5
184 67 70 71.5 74 76 76.5 77.5 78
186 69 70.5 73 75.5 78 78.5 79 80
188 70.5 72 75 77.6 79.5 80 81 82
190 72 73.5 76 78.5 80.5 81 82 83

* The body weight are given in this chart corresponding to height (in cms) on even numbers
only. In respect of the height (in cms), in between, the principle of “average” will be utilized
for calculating body weights.
 Appendix ‘B’
To Army Order 3/2001
HEALTH RECORD CARD
JCOs/OR OF THE INDIAN ARMY

Blood Group
History of drug allergy
Signature of Medical Officer

Page 1

PARTICULARS OF THE JCOS/OR

1. Name (In block letters)

2. Personal Number
3. Rank
4. Date of birth
5. Arm/Corps
6. Height (Cms)

Date :

Place of initiation:
Page 2

IMMUNISATION RECORD

Immunisation Date done Date next due (in pencil)

(a) TAB…………
(b) Others………..

MO’s Signature

Page 3
HOSPITALISATION RECORD
Name of Date of Diagnosis Medical Date Signature of MO with
Hospital Adm/Disch Classification next Stamp
Board
due

Page 4
ANNUAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION RECORD

Date Weight Kgs Chest Cms Waist Blood Disabilities Med Sig of MO
& (ABW/ (Full Exp/ Hip Pressure Cat with With
Place IBW Range Cms Mm Hg Restriction Stamp
imposed

Legend

ABW - Actual Body wt

IBW - Ideal Body wt
Exp - Expiration

Page 5
INVESTIGATION RECORD

Date Important investigation and result Signature of MO with Stamp

 Page 6
INSPECTION AND TREATMENT RECORD
DENTAL CHART

Dental Centre Date of Inspection/Treatment Initial of Dental Officer

Dental Unit/station

Page 7
PERIODIC MEDICAL BOARD RECORD

Date Weight Kgs Chest Waist Blood Disabilities Med Sig of

& (ABW/IBW) Cms Hip Pressure Cat with MO
Place (Full Exp/ Cms mm Hg restrictions With
Range imposed Stamp

Annexure I to Appendix ‘B’Of Draft AO_3/2001

HEALTH RECORD CARD FOR JCOs/OR

Introduction

1. JCOs/OR often report for medical check-up or for hospitalisation without any previous
medical documents. The medical officers have, therefore, to depend entirely on their
statements, which they are not often in a position to give correctly and which, at times, may
create problems in diagnosis and treatment.

2. In order to overcome this difficulty, a ‘Health Record Card’ (HRC) has been instituted,
as per specimen given in Appendix ‘B’ to be maintained by each JCOs/OR.

Aim

1. The HRC will have a ready record of his health, history of past illness, immunisation
and present medical classification with a view to :-

(a) Provide necessary information and guidance to attending medical

officers on the state of his health.

(b) Help in diagnosis of his illness and avoid unnecessary investigations in

hospital.
 (c) Maintain regular record of immunisation.

Provision and completion of the Health Record Card

1. The HRC will be completed through the AMA at the time of annual medical
examination. Past hospitalization records, where applicable, will be completed from the
categorisation boards AFMSF-15/15A available with the unit. As and when a JCO/OR is
admitted to hospital, the hospital record will be completed by AMA after discharge of the
patient.

2. HRC (in duplicate) will be issued to JCOs/OR at the time of their first enrolment under
arrangements of Commandant, Training Centres,

3. HRC will be provided to all J COs/OR as one time measure by under arrangements of
CO.

Maintenance of Health Record Card

1. It will be the responsibility of the individual to maintain the card properly and have it
completed in all respects and to always carry it with him. The card will be shown to medical
authorities whenever he visits any MI Room/hospital. Duplicate copy of the card will be
maintained by the unit/formation where the individual is posted. Medical certificates required
to be issued for any purpose including the courses of instruction will be based on the details in
health cards. Duplicate Health card will be transferred to new unit of the individual on priority
and this will be endorsed on his movement order.

Security of Health Record Card.

1. Custody and safe keeping of the HRC shall be the responsibility of the individual
himself. All HRCs shall be checked at least once a year and record of such checks maintained
in a register. This register maintaining a record of Health Cards and their checking shall be
produced for inspection of Commanding Officers once in a quarter as well as produced for
inspection during annual inspections.

Health Record Card for Retired JCOs/OR

1. JCOs/OR, on retirement, will be allowed to take their card with them so that they may
get proper medical treatment, whenever required at the MI Rooms/ Hospitals. No duplicate
copy is to be maintained in their case.
 Appendix “C’ to AO 3/2001

Physical standards for Categorisation of Serving JCOs/OR

1. Serving JCOs/OR will be placed in five categories of SHAPE profile denoted by

numerical 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 depicting their physical fitness/functional capacity in descending
order. Detailed standards/requirements for each medical category are given in the succeeding
paragraphs.

2. Category ‘1’ :- An individual who is fit in all respects for general service in any
area/theatre of war, will be placed in medical category ‘1’, even though he may have some
minor(remediable) disability. When a JCOs/OR does not come up to the standards laid down
for category ‘1’, he will have to be placed in an appropriate lower medical category. To
determine the exact category applicable to the individual, his physical fitness will be assessed
by testing his functional capacity under five factors as shown below :-

(a) Psychological (S1) – Can withstand severe mental stress, may have recovered
from a Psychological condition with no likelihood of further break down. The
disposal of alcohol dependence/drug abuse cases will be done as per Part IV(b)
of this AO.

(b) Hearing(H1) – Has excellent hearing in both ears viz with back to the examiner
can hear forced whisper at the distance of 6 meters with each ear separately.

(c) Appendages(A1) – Has full functional capacity, though may be having minor
impairments like the following :-

(i) Loss of terminal phalanx of anyone of 5th, 4th or 3rd fingers.

(ii) Loss of terminal phalanges of 3rd and 4th fingers of left hand in a right
handed person, provided he has a good grip in the left hand also.

(d) Physical(P1) – Has full functional capacity and physical stamina but may have
minor impairments.

(e) Eye Sight(E1) – Good eye sight. May have corrected vision with conventional
spectacles(Myopia or manifest hypermetropia not to exceed 7 diopters).

Better Eye Worse Eye

(i) 6/6 OR 6/36

(ii) 6/9 OR 6/24

(iii) 6/12 OR 6/12

3. When an individual is placed in different low medical categories for different disability
factors, each category, indicating the period, will be recorded separately. The composite
medical category of such an individual will be lowest category awarded.

4. Category ‘2’ – An individual will be placed in medical category ’2’, who has only a
moderate degree of disability, which does not interfere with the performance of normal work
and whose functional capacity, assessed under the five factors defined in para 2 above conforms
to the standard given in column 1 of the table given below. The employability restrictions
applicable to personnel in this category, depending on the nature of their disability are shown
in column 2 of the table.

Functional capacity Employability Restrictions

1 2
(a) Psychological (S2)- Can withstand Fit for normal duties any where, including
moderate stress. Has mild psychological Overseas except for actual/close combat.
disturbances of temporary nature. May have restrictions for the following :-
Likelihood of break down under severe (a) Duties involving independent posts at
Mental stress can not be ruled out. isolated location (Applicable only to (a) under
col 1)
(b) Hearing(H2) – With his back to the (b)Patrol/sentry duties which demand keen
examiner, can hear conversational voice at hearing acuity of both ears.(Applicable only
a distance of 6 metres with one ear and 3 to (b) under col 1)
meters with the other. (The ear not being
tested should be closed by an assistant).

(c ) Appendages (A2) : (c ) Not fit for duties at altitude above 2500

(i) Upper Limb (A2U) : Has slight meters and extreme cold areas.(Applicable to
defects of upper limbs but these in no way (a),(c)(i) and (d) of col.1)
incapacitate him from making normal
movements of daily work.

(ii) Lower Limb (A2L) : Has slight (d) Not fit for duties at hilly terrain, altitude
defects of locomotion but these do not above 2500 meters and extreme cold areas
incapacitate him from normal movements (Applicable to (a),(c)(ii) and (d) of column 1)
of daily work.

(d) Physical Capacity (P2) :- Has only

mild degree of disability which does not
interfere with the performance of normal
work. Suffered from constitutional/
metabolic/infective diseases/operative
procedures, but now well stabilized. Can
undergo exertion not involving severe
strain. No restriction.

(e) Eye Sight(E2):- Can see for ordinary

 purposes in the fighting area (sub shooting
std) but may be called upon to fight under
exceptional circumstances. Visual
standards are as given below.

(i) LE = 6/36 and RE = 6/12

OR
(ii) 6/18 each eye
Note : These visual standards are
applicable to Rt handed persons and
should be reversed in Lt handed person
One Eyed person : Those with normal
Vision in Rt Eye without correction.
Aphakia : Unilateral – with correction
6/12 or better, other eye 6/9 or better with
correction – medical category ‘2’

Note : In addition to normal classification in medical category ‘2’, Specialists, Technicians,

regular, reservists and specially enlisted men who are required for definite duties may be
acceptable in this category provided the MO considers them capable of performing the duties
for which they are required, e.g. a man might be acceptable in medical category ’2’, provided
he could see for ordinary purposes and only had a moderate degree of disability for defects of
locomotion.

5. Category ‘3’ : Personnel, whose defects/disabilities are of a higher degree than those
acceptable for category ‘2’ as in the preceding para, but who are considered fit for duties in
Unit/Formations located in L of C areas and Unit/Formation HQ in Operational Areas (provided
such duties do not involve severe stress and strain) will be placed in category ‘3’. Such
personnel must possess functional capacity under the five factors mentioned in para 2 above,
according to the standards given in column 1 of the table given below. The corresponding
employability restrictions are given in col 2 of the table.

Functional Capacity Employability Restrictions

1 2
(a) Psychological (S3) – Has limited tolerance Fit for routine duties (Except sentry duties)
to stress. Has recently recovered from acute under supervision in areas where hospital
psychoneurosis and toxic confusional states and acute facilities exist nearby. Not fit for duties at
psychotic reaction of temporary nature as a result of altitude above 2500 meters. Not fit for
external causes unrelated to alcohol or drug addiction. duties involving independent responsible
task,(e.g. i/c kote, drawing money from
bank and independent command).
Note : A JCOs/OR can be placed in category S’3’ on
a temporary basis for a maximum period of one year
only. He cannot be placed in category S’3’
(Permanent). If at the end of one year of S ‘3’
temporary, an individual’s medical category cannot be
 upgraded, he will be downgraded to medical category
S’5’ and invalided out.
Fit for routine duties anywhere not
(b) Hearing (H3) : Is partially deaf in both the ears requiring good hearing standards. Not fit
viz with his back to examiner, can hear a for guard/ sentry duties.
conversational voice at a distance of 3 meters with
both ears.
Not fit for combat duties but fit for routine
(c) Appendages (A3) : duties anywhere except in extreme cold
(i) Upper Limb(A3U): Has major disability or climates
disease in one area like complete loss of one hand
including fingers or amputation through wrist or
through metacarpal or a disease/disability of shoulder
on one side. Fit for sedentary duties only. Not fit for
duties at hilly terrain and extreme cold
(ii) Lower Limb (A3L) : Has a disease or climates.
disability above knee on one side, including pelvic
girdle. Should be able to walk upto 5 km at his own Fit for sedentary duties in areas where
pace. hospitals with appropriate specialist
Facilities are available nearby. May have
(d) Physical Capacity (P3) : Has moderate restrictions in employability in hilly terrain
disablement with limited physical capacity and and in extreme cold climates.
stamina, Can undergo exertion not involving severe
strain. Fit for garrison duties in India. Fit for
duties not requiring good visual acuity

(e) Eyesight (E3): Can see for ordinary purposes.

Corrected vision with conventional spectacles or
contact lenses.
LE RE
(i) 6/12 6/36 -do-
or
(ii) 6/24 each eye

One eyed personnel

(i) Those with normal vision in left eye without
correction

(ii) Those with corrected vision in Rt or Lt eye up to

6/12 or better.

6. Category 4 : An individual who is under medical care in hospital or on sick leave,

ending his final categorisation and disposal (i.e.. a person who is temporarily unfit for service)
will be placed in category ‘4’

7. Category 5 : Person who are considered permanently unfit for further military service
under any of the SHAPE factor will be placed in medical category ’5’.
 S5 - Mentally unable on account of Psychological/Psychiatric
disorders/psychopathic personality.

H5 - Hearing acuity below E3 stds.

A5 - Severe derangement of functional efficiency.
P5 - Gross limitations in physical capacity and stamina
E5 - Visual acuity below E-3 grade, Bilateral aphakia

Note : Some terminologies used in the above schedule are amplified below :-

(a) “Hilly Terrain”- Denotes such areas where a person has to climb up and down
the heights, which is likely to aggravate or put to difficulty persons with cardiac,
respiratory, arthritic or such disabilities.

(b) “Extreme Cold Climate”-Where temp remains below 7° for 6 months or more.

(c) “Cold Climate”-Climate like that prevailing in Punjab or other areas in Western
Command, where an individual in category ‘2’ or ‘3’ should normally be able to
work.

8. The following should be taken as a guide for medical categorisation of individual for
disability caused by loss of teeth which will be categorised under ‘P’ factor :-

“1”-When efficient mastication of food is possible

“2”-When partial mastication of food is possible
“3”-When no mastication of food is possible
“4”-When patient is undergoing treatment of fractured jaws while the jaws are
immobilized.

Note : Presence of well fitting dentures will be taken into account while assessing the
effectiveness of the masticatory apparatus.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEDICAL BOARDS/AMAs

REGARDING CATEGORISATION OF JCOs/OR

9. The medical category of an individual can be downgraded only by a duly constituted

medical board. However, in the case of individual placed in temporary low medical category,
upgradation of category or continuation of award of existing temporary low medical category,
either or a temporary or a permanent basis, can be done by the officer-in-medical-charge of
troops(AMA) on the basis of opinion of concerned specialist.

10. A temporary low medical category will be awarded to an individual only for 6 month in
the first instance, after which he will be reviewed. An individual cannot be kept in the same
temporary low medical category for more than six months. If, at the end of six months, his
category remains unchanged, that category should be awarded to him on a permanent basis.
However he can be reviewed periodically by the concerned specialist if required. In exceptional
cases and where the specialist feels that the medical category of the individual is likely to be
upgraded after one year, the period of temporary medical category may be extended to one year.

11. Persons placed in temporary low medical categories will be referred to concerned
specialist by AMA on expiry of the period for which temporary category was awarded. Persons
placed in permanent low medical categories will appear before medical boards every two years
for review/recategorisation. However, if the AMA considers at any time that the existing
permanent low medical category of an individual needs further down gradation, he will arrange
to bring him before a medical board immediately, irrespective of the time completed by the
individual in the existing medical category.

12. Record of medical categorisation of personnel, will be completed on form AFMSF-

15/15A in duplicate by medical board/AMA. The board proceedings will be perused by OC
hospitals/SEMO. One copy of this form will be sent to the individual’s unit and the other copy
to his Records Office, by the authority examining/categorising the individual.

13. When a JCO/OR, who is in permanent low medical category ‘2’ or ‘3’, in any SHAPE
factor, reports to hospital for medical board, consequent to issue of orders for his discharge/
release from service, in accordance with the prescribed policy, the medical board will ensure
that the individual is examined for release purpose only and his existing medical category is not
changed.

14. In cases of temporary low medical category personnel reporting for release medical
board/medical examination consequent to issue of release order, if his clinical condition is
stable and the disease has regressed/recovered completely, such cases should be considered for
upgradation. In case the individual can not be upgraded, he will be placed in appropriate
permanent LMC and released in the same category.

15. While placing a JCO/OR in a low medical category, the medical board will ensure
compliance with the following requirements :-

(a) They must clearly state in the board proceedings whether or not the
disease/disability of the individual is attributable to service. They will also bring out
aggravation, if any. In formulating opinion, about attributability or non-attributability,
all medial officers comprising the medical boards and the approving/perusing
authorities must follow the guide-lines given by the Government in the publication
”GUIDE TO MEDICAL OFFICERS MILITARY PENSIONS 1980’.

Note: Details of any disability or defects of locomotion will be invariably recorded in the HRC
for reference in case of future pension claims. This record is of utmost importance both to the
individual and the state.

(b) They must record in clear and precise terms, their recommendations, in part II
of AFMSF-15, regarding restrictions to be observed in the employment of the individual
owing to his disease/disability, for the guidance of OC Unit. The employment
restrictions will also be entered in HRC of the individual by the MO who has handled
the case.