NMRTC Bremerton’s Med Board Supervisor Honored in Landmark DoD Visit

When the Navy Medicine Readiness Training Command Bremerton hosted the Honorable Shawn G. Skelly on August 28, 2024, the visit’s first stop was the Medical Board department. Skelly, Performing the Duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, was there to familiarize himself with the military treatment facility and its critical functions.

April Dinucci, the Medical Board department supervisor, welcomed Skelly. Dinucci oversees a substantial workload as the department’s leader and physical evaluation board liaison officer. Her role is pivotal in assisting servicemembers dealing with serious injuries and illnesses.

“Our Medical Evaluation Board staff aids all Wounded Warriors throughout the entirety of medically related processes,” commented Dinucci. “We handle the administrative nuances of both physical and mental health cases from beginning to end. My staff is here to assist from the onset of Limited Duty until the member transitions from service.”

Dinucci and her team collaborate with various entities, including the Navy Wounded Warrior program, the Disability Evaluation System Counsel Program, VA military service coordinators, and several command structures. Dinucci is also a disability counselor and subject matter expert in the Disability Evaluation System, Limited Duty, and Temporary Disability Retirement programs.

The Medical Board department functions as a main point of contact for all inquiries regarding case status, benefits, and personal inquiries. In Fiscal Year 2023, the department managed 712 LIMDU cases and approximately 250 Disability Evaluation System cases, resulting in an average of nearly 560 open cases on any given day.

Dinucci highlighted the challenge of managing time and expectations for servicemembers and their families. “When someone is placed in a Medical Evaluation Board, the expectation might be that their case concludes in 90 days. The reality is that timelines can exceed nine months,” she explained.

The department organizes assistance and training across the five-state region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Responsibilities are divided among several roles:

– **Medical Case Managers:** Assist with medical needs, discharge planning, and specialty services.
– **Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers:** Advise personnel on fitness for duty and handle the necessary documentation.
– **Limited Duty Coordinators:** Manage LIMDU placements, re-evaluations, and monthly case reviews.
– **Fleet Liaisons:** Manage personnel casualty reports, decedent affairs, and hospitalizations.

During his visit, Hon. Skelly also met with Mental Health staff and Urgent Care Clinic personnel.

Story originally posted on DVIDS: NMRTC Bremerton Med Board Supervisor recognized during high ranking DoD visit