# 2023-104 Releases, Medical Employment Limitation, Release - Compulsory, Release - Medical

Case summary

F&R Date: 2025-08-19

The grievor disputed the Medical Employment Limitations (MELs) he was assigned and his subsequent release as a result. The grievor claimed that he had not received an official and permanent diagnosis and had he received an assessment from an external specialist, he would not have received MELs in breach of the Universality of Service (U of S) principle. As redress, the grievor requested a review of his medical file and to be allowed to continue his Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) career. 

The Director General Military Careers, acting as Initial Authority (IA) denied the grievance. The IA, in consultation with the Director Medical Policy, explained that the grievor had already received three separate medical assessments resulting in concurring diagnoses. As such, the IA found that there was no uncertainty in the grievor's m edical fitness and granting additional medical assessments or additional time was unjustified. The IA concluded that the grievor's MELs put him in breach of the Minimum Operational Standards and the U of S, and he could not be retained in the CAF.  

The Committee found that the assignment of permanent MELs was based on a personalized assessment of the grievor's medical condition, that it complied with policy and were coherent with the available medical information on the file. As such, the Committee found that the grievor could not be retained and his release under item 3(b) was the most appropriate release item. The Committee recommended that the Final Authority does not afford the grievor redress.