---
kind: "section"
citation: "10 U.S.C. § 12731b"
title: "10"
title_heading: "Armed Forces"
number: "12731b"
heading: "Special rule for members with physical disabilities not incurred in line of duty"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/10/12731b"
units:
  - "Subtitle E — Reserve Components"
  - "Part II — Personnel Generally"
  - "Chapter 1223 — Retired Pay for Non-Regular Service"
---

# §12731b. Special rule for members with physical disabilities not incurred in line of duty

- (a) In the case of a member of the Selected [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) of a [reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) component who no longer meets the qualifications for membership in the Selected [Reserve](/usc/10/101.md?p=c-6) solely because the member is unfit because of physical disability, the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-9) may, for purposes of [section 12731 of this title](/usc/10/12731.md), determine to treat the member as having met the service requirements of [subsection (a)(2)](/usc/10/12731.md?p=a-2) of that section and provide the member with the notification required by [subsection (d)](/usc/10/12731.md?p=d) of that section if the member has completed at least 15, and less than 20, years of service computed under [section 12732 of this title](/usc/10/12732.md).
- (b) Notification under [subsection (a)](#a) may not be made if—
  - (1) the disability was the result of the member’s intentional misconduct, willful neglect, or willful failure to comply with standards and qualifications for retention established by the [Secretary concerned](/usc/10/101.md?p=a-9); or
  - (2) the disability was incurred during a period of unauthorized absence.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VI, § 653(b)(1), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 666.)