Separation history, physical exams now required Published May 27, 2015 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- All separating and retiring service members must now undergo a Separation History and Physical Examination upon leaving the service, 66th Medical Squadron officials recently announced. The change in policy that took effect earlier this year applies to all active duty, Reserve and National Guard members serving 180 or more consecutive days on active duty or 30 or more consecutive days in support of a contingency operation. "The goal of the program is to standardize separation and retirements across the Defense Department and incorporates the Veterans Affairs administration early in the process," said Maj. Ricardo De Jesus, Aerospace and Operational Medicine Flight commander. "These visits will ensure all service-related medical conditions that members may have are documented in Service Treatment Records with the VA." The process typically includes a hearing test and may include other tests based on your medical history, De Jesus added. Service members expected to separate or retire soon are encouraged to contact the Medical Standard Management Element as soon as possible to schedule an exam. At Hanscom AFB, the MSME is located in the Flight Medicine Clinic in Building 1900. Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The clinic is closed the first Friday of every month and federal holidays. "If a service member intends to make a VA claim, then they should elect to have the exam performed by the VA to expedite the claims process," De Jesus said. "This should be completed at least 30 days prior, but no more than 180 days prior, to an approved final-out date." He added that the earlier service members have the exam completed, the faster the VA can process benefits for eligibility. The VA generally requires 90 days to schedule an exam and ensure the results are added to a service treatment record prior to separation or retirement. Members will be provided instructions on how to enroll and request a SHPE on the VA's e-Benefits portal available at the following link: http://www.benefits.va.gov/predischarge/ "For those who do not plan to file a VA claim, or are unable to complete a SHPE with the VA, an appointment will be made at the nearest military treatment facility," De Jesus said. Any referral for potential claims or current medical conditions should be obtained prior to the SHPE appointment to ensure they are available in the service treatment record. Once the SHPE is validated as complete, the MSME will sign-off on the Medical Examination for Retirement or Separation memorandum for Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center and the Virtual Military Personnel Flight, or vMPF. Call 781-225-6340 or email at 66.mds.msme@us.af.mil for further information or to schedule an exam.