A Medical Board is convened to evaluate the medical condition of a serviceman and to:

1) Review his PES grade;

2) Recommend a change of vocation or restriction of duties on medical grounds;

3) Endorse his extended-period medical certificate; or

4) Determine permanent disability if he has sustained service-related injuries.

A serviceman is required to undergo a Medical Review prior to a Medical Board. This allows the unit Medical Officer to gather sufficient information (e.g. specialist medical reports, investigation results) so that the Medical Board can make a decision on PES grading. Depending on the complexity of the serviceman's condition, more than one review may be required.

Medical Boards cannot be booked using eHealth. Medical Board appointments can only be made by a Medical Officer when a serviceman's medical information is complete, and all investigation results are back. Servicemen have the option to be present or absent at their medical board.

For convenience and in clear-cut cases, servicemen may be given the option of not being present for their medical board (i.e. having a Board in Absentia. In such instances, servicemen may still choose to be present during their Medical Board. However, for complicated cases, servicemen must attend their medical board (i.e. Board in Presence).