The Wounded Servicemember's Path

What the path of a wounded servicemember should look like — advice for servicemembers of the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Police

In this material, Azov.Care, together with the "Principle" Servicemembers' Human Rights Center, explains step by step how the path of a wounded servicemember should proceed and what to pay attention to at each stage of recovery.

Stage 1. Evacuation

Battlefield — Stabilization Point — Evacuation to a Medical Facility

The wounded servicemember's weapon, ammunition, and equipment are confiscated. Confirm the fate of the confiscated items with your commander to avoid problems upon discharge.

Stage 2. Treatment and Rehabilitation

This may take place at a military hospital or a civilian facility in Ukraine or abroad. You have the right to receive treatment at facilities belonging to any military formation (not only the Ministry of Internal Affairs) and, if you wish, at private facilities.

Important: Notify your commander of your admission and discharge, and keep all treatment documentation.

Stage 3. Military Medical Commission

The Military Medical Commission (VLK) is conducted either on a territorial basis (near your unit) or at your place of treatment/temporary duty/leave. Doctors review the medical records in order to:

• confirm that the injury was sustained while defending the homeland;
• determine medical needs: treatment, leave, rehabilitation, prosthetics, etc.;
• determine further fitness for service.
  

Documents required for the Military Medical Commission:

• referral;
• military registration documents (military ID, Combat Participant Certificate [UBD]);
• documentation of the injury (certificate on the circumstances of the injury, accident investigation report);
• current medical records;
• service and medical performance evaluation.

If you disagree with the commission's decision, it can be appealed to a higher commission, and after that, to an administrative court.

Important: Notify your commander of the start and completion of the Military Medical Commission.

Stage 4. Expert Commission on Assessment of a Person's Functional State (EKOPFO)

The doctor and patient choose the form of examination (in-person, remote/written, teleconsultation, or on-site visit) and the facility.

The examination is needed in order to:

• determine the percentage of loss of working capacity/disability group;
• determine the need for prosthetics, orthotics, and other assistive rehabilitation devices;
• receive recommendations for an individual rehabilitation program;
• obtain medical clearance for the right to receive a vehicle with hand controls or an adapted vehicle;
• establish the need for permanent care.
  

Important information about EKOPFO:

• An electronic referral for the examination can be issued by the head of the Military Medical Commission based on examination results, by the treating physician, or by a family doctor.
• The facility will contact the servicemember and inform them of the time and date of the examination.
• A representative (by power of attorney) may be involved in the examination, and the process may be recorded.
• For servicemembers who, as a result of combat participation, sustained a disability due to the irreversible loss of a limb, organ, or its function, the disability group is established permanently and one degree higher than the general criteria (but not higher than the first group).
• The decision can be appealed to the Center for Assessment of a Person's Functional State, and after that, to an administrative court.

Stage 5. Discharge Due to Health Condition

The right to discharge due to health condition applies to servicemembers who:

• have been deemed unfit for military service, or temporarily unfit, subject to reassessment after 6–12 months, by decision of the Military Medical Commission;
• have been assigned any disability group, regardless of its cause, by decision of the EKOPFO/MSEC.