Military medical board (ВЛК): fitness categories and how to appeal

What the ВЛК is

The military medical board (ВЛК) is the body that, after a medical examination, determines a person's degree of fitness for military service. It is attended both on referral from a territorial recruitment centre (ТЦК та СП) and by service members (before a contract, after a wound or illness, etc.).

Fitness categories (2026)

The "limited fitness" status was abolished on 4 May 2024 (Law No. 3621-IX). The board now issues one of these conclusions:

• fit for military service;
• fit for service in support, ТЦК та СП, training, medical or logistics units (this replaced the former "limited fitness");
• temporarily unfit — needs treatment or health leave (usually with re-examination in 6–12 months);
• unfit for military service, with removal from the military register.

If you hold an old conclusion ("unfit in peacetime, limited fitness in wartime") and have not been re-examined, you may be sent for a fresh examination to obtain a current conclusion.

How long a decision is valid

A ВЛК ruling is valid for 12 months from the date of examination. Decisions on those found unfit (or unfit with re-examination in 6–12 months) must be implemented promptly.

How to appeal: administrative (pre-court)

A complaint is filed with a higher board (up to the Central ВЛК) — generally within 30 days of receiving the conclusion. Attach a copy of the ВЛК decision, your medical documents and your military-registration document. The higher board reviews legality and may order a re-examination.

Important: an appeal does not suspend the conclusion — the previous decision loses force only once a new one is issued.

How to appeal: court

The decision can be challenged in an administrative court. The court does not assess the medical merits (that is outside its competence); it checks that the procedure was followed: whether the examination was complete, whether your medical documents were considered, whether the file and signatures were executed correctly under the ВЛК Regulation. If violations are found, the court annuls the decision and orders a re-examination.

Time limits: 3 months from service of the higher board's decision (if you used the pre-court route) or 6 months from the ВЛК ruling (without it) — art. 122 of the Code of Administrative Procedure.

Legal basis

• Law of Ukraine No. 3621-IX of 11.04.2024 (abolishing "limited fitness");
• Regulation on military medical assessment (Ministry of Defence Order No. 402);
• Code of Administrative Procedure of Ukraine, art. 122.