scope:

This Instruction establishes procedures for the documentation and administrative management of Airmen with injuries or illnesses that may impact their ability to perform their military duty. These procedures have been developed to ensure maximum utilization and readiness of personnel, while preserving their health and minimizing risk of further injury or illness. This Instruction and AFI 41-210, TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration Functions, describe appropriate courses of action for Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) pre-screening disposition when individuals have medical conditions potentially affecting their continued retention for military service or deployability in the Air Force (AF), as outlined by the standards per AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.

This Instruction provides a method to communicate medical recommendations to Commanders. This will allow optimum utilization of Airmen in their charge within the guidelines of the medical recommendations and ensure timely return to duty following medical evaluations related to potentially unfitting conditions.

Commanders may consult with the medical unit's Senior Profiling Officer (SPO) to maximize use of personnel with Duty Limiting Conditions (DLCs). An assessment based on operational risk of personnel assigned to a unit is critical to maintaining unit readiness at the highest degree possible.

Purpose of AF Form 422, Duty Limiting Condition Report. The AF Form 469 is used to describe physical limitations and recommend duty restrictions (DR) to the Commander when there is a potential risk to an Airman's health, safety and well-being, the safety of the mission, or the ability of the Airman to effectively accomplish the mission. Additionally, the AF Form 469 is used to convey limitations related to the AF Fitness Program (FP) as well as Fitness Assessment Exemptions (FAE). In general, the AF Form 469 will describe an Airman's limitations and Fitness Assessment Clearance/Exemptions.

Purpose of AF Form 422, Notification of Air Force Member's Qualification Status. The AF Form 422 is used for initial qualification, qualification for retirement or separation, military retraining, Permanent Change of Station (PCS), Professional Military Education (PME), and similar functions as directed in this or other guidance. The AF Form 422 describes what an Airman is qualified to do based on medical assessment (unless specifically directed otherwise, as in paragraph 3.3.2.1 of this Instruction).