Which type of condition is not eligible for referral to the DES?

• A. Unsuiting
• B. Duty limitation
• C. Duty restriction
• D. Unfit

Answer: (C)

The key idea is how the DES handles medical conditions in terms of referral for formal evaluation. The DES focuses on conditions that prevent a service member from performing duties in a meaningful way and require a formal medical review for potential separation or retirement.

A duty restriction describes limits on what tasks you can perform, often managed with accommodations or reassignment within the unit. Because it is about adjusting duties rather than evaluating overall fitness for service, it typically does not go to the DES for a formal medical evaluation.

In contrast, unsuiting and unfit refer to conditions that make a member not suitable or not fit for continued military service, which are precisely the kinds of cases the DES reviews. A duty limitation also signals a significant impact on ability to perform duties and usually prompts DES consideration.

So, the type that isn’t eligible for referral to the DES is the one that’s strictly about restricting tasks within the current role, not about evaluating broader fitness for duty.