LESSON 3
LINE OF DUTY (LD)
Section I. LINE OF DUTY DETERMINATIONS
3-1.
MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE
a. Meaning. At one time, when a member of the uniformed services became ill,
injured, or killed, a determination was made about whether or not he was actually on duty at
the time of the illness, injury, or death. This finding was called a "line of duty
determination." A "line of duty determination" no longer has the same meaning because
whether the member was actually on duty is not the determining factor in awarding
compensation or taking administrative action. An active duty service member is entitled to
receive care in an Army facility whether or not the care is for a disease or injury incurred in
the performance of duty. Likewise, a survivor is entitled to a gratuity upon the death of an
active duty member regardless of whether the disease or injury was incurred while the
member was on duty. There are a few exceptions. A gratuity is not paid when a death
occurs as punishment for a crime, when death or injury results from a military offense not
inflicted by a hostile force with whom the United States is engaged in armed conflict, or
when death or injury occurs while a member is in a desertion status. As used today, the
term "line of duty determination" refers to a finding about the circumstances under which a
disease, injury, or death has occurred. This finding is significant because it can affect
subsequent actions taken against or in behalf of the service member.
b. Significance. Proper determination of line of duty is important to both the
Government and to the individual since it affects rights as well as entitlement to benefits.
The course of administrative action taken by the Government depends on a service
member's line of duty (LD) status at the time of disease, injury, or death. For example, Title
10 U.S.C. requires that an enlisted member with an unfavorable LD must make up lost time
("Bad time") while hospitalized or away from duty. Under certain circumstances, the
enlisted member must forfeit pay. Officers, also, may be required to forfeit pay.
Unfavorable LD findings affect enlisted promotions and posthumous appointments as well
as entitlement to benefits provided members or survivors by the Secretary of the Army, the
Veteran's Administration, and other government agencies. The implications are
far-reaching.
MD0755
3-2