Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL)

If you’re a servicemember found unfit for duty because of a lasting medical condition, you may be placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) as part of medical retirement (also known as military disability or DoD disability). This status provides you with military retirement pay and full access to TRICARE and other retiree benefits.

What Is the PDRL?

The PDRL is part of the Disability Evaluation System (DES), which the military uses to decide if you are fit to continue serving with your condition. If your condition is stable and rated at 30% or higher, and you’re found unfit for duty, the military may retire you permanently due to disability.

If you’re placed on the PDRL, the military expects your condition to not improve. That also means you won’t need future medical evaluations to keep your status.

Getting Placed on the Permanent Disabled Retired List 

To be placed on the PDRL, the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) will evaluate your condition. From there, the boards will determine the severity of your condition. If that rating is 30% or more, the PEB will recommend you for the PDRL, which would result in your retirement from the military. At that point, you’ll receive an official retirement order and will be eligible to receive retirement pay. 

Note: If you joined the military with this condition and your service makes it worse or aggravates it, you may not be eligible to receive a medical disability. 

PDRL Benefits

When you’re placed on the PDRL, you will receive access to the following:

• Retirement pay based on your rank, years of service, and disability rating
• Access to TRICARE health care for you and your family
• Commissary and exchange privileges
• Eligibility for other military retiree benefits

PDRL Military Disability Pay

The Department of Defense calculates your disability retirement pay by either using the High-3 method or Final Pay method based on when you entered the service. From there, the department uses one of two formulas:

1. Disability Percentage Method (Method A): Multiply your retired base pay by your disability rating percentage (minimum 30%, capped at 75%).

1. Years of Service Method (Method B): Multiply your retirement base pay by 2.5% times your years of service.

The military will use the method that gives you the higher payment.

Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL) vs. Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL)

The main difference is the stability of your condition. When you’re evaluated, if it’s determined your condition is severe enough (30% or higher) and permanent, you’ll be recommended for the PDRL. 

If you’re condition could improve, you’ll be placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL)

Can you also receive VA disability pay while on the PDRL?

Short and simple answer, yes. The more complex answer is that if you’re on the PDRL, the military retirement pay you receive will be offset dollar-to-dollar by any VA disability compensation you may also receive. It’s commonly referred to as the VA offset. There are two cases where you’ll be able to receive both military retirement pay and VA disability pay. 

The two programs are:

• Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)
• Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)

These programs remove or reduce the offset, depending on your eligibility. Each program has different requirements of eligibility, compensation methods and tax-implications so you should look over each of them thoroughly. 

Final Thoughts

If your condition ends your military career, the PDRL ensures you and your family are supported with retirement pay and benefits. It’s a recognition of your service and sacrifice. If you’re unsure where you stand, reach out to a Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) or a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) for guidance.

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