Deferral from mobilization due to health reasons: conditions, list of diseases, and application procedure

During martial law, the issue of mobilization affects almost every family, and a health-based deferment is one of the most common—and at the same time the most “procedural”—grounds. In practice, people often confuse a deferment with full unfitness, rely only on doctors’ notes, or look for a “list of diagnoses,” although what is decisive is the decision of the MMB (Military Medical Commission) and the degree of functional impairment.

In this article, we explain what exactly is considered a health-based deferment, which legal norms it relies on, who is entitled to such a deferment, and how to obtain it step by step—from preparing medical documents and passing the MMB to submitting an application via the TCC or CNAP. We also cover validity periods, common mistakes, and options in case of refusal.

What is a mobilization deferment for health reasons

A deferment for health reasons is a lawful mechanism that allows a reservist to be temporarily exempt from conscription during mobilization if their current health condition does not allow them to serve. The key word here is “temporarily”: in most cases, the deferment is time-limited and requires a repeat medical examination.

In practice, a health-based deferment always rests on a medical assessment made by the Military Medical Commission (MMB) under the rules of military medical expertise. It is the MMB that determines fitness status, and then the TCC & SP formalizes the deferment under the established procedure.

Legal definition of a deferment during mobilization

The regulatory framework is primarily set out in Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine “On Mobilization Training and Mobilization.” In health-related cases, it matters because it directly defines the categories of reservists who are not subject to call-up or who have the right to a deferment, including on health grounds. For example, the law provides that persons with disabilities are not subject to conscription during mobilization, as well as reservists whom the MMB has found temporarily unfit for military service for a specified period with a subsequent re-examination.

Difference between temporary unfitness and full unfitness

It is important not to confuse two different MMB decisions—both the paperwork and the next steps depend on which one applies:

Temporary unfitness: the health condition does not allow service at the moment, but there are grounds to expect change (treatment, rehabilitation, recovery). In such cases, the MMB specifies the period of temporary unfitness (commonly 6–12 months) and schedules a repeat exam.

Full unfitness: the condition or disease has consequences that make military service impossible under the criteria of the “Schedule of Diseases.” The decision is tied not to the “name of the diagnosis,” but to the degree of functional impairment and objective medical indicators.

Legislative basis for the deferment

Key provisions of the Law “On Mobilization Training and Mobilization”

The Law sets out the general rules of mobilization: who is a reservist, what grounds for deferment exist, and which authority implements these norms in practice. For citizens, this boils down to a simple point: the right to a deferment must be expressly provided by law, and the supporting evidence must meet the procedural requirements.

Article 23 and its key aspects

In health-related contexts, Article 23 typically involves three practical “nodes.” The first is disability, which is a legal ground not to be called up during mobilization. The second is temporary unfitness, when the MMB sets a period and requires a re-examination. The third includes grounds related to caring for a seriously ill person or a person with a disability, where what matters is not your diagnosis but the documented condition of the close person and the proven need for care.

Who is entitled to a health-based deferment

Persons found temporarily unfit for military service

This is the most common situation, where a person objectively cannot serve at the time of the examination, but the condition may change. It is critical to understand: to formalize a deferment, a “doctor’s note” alone is not enough—you need a MMB ruling that records temporary unfitness and the period for which it is set.

Persons with disabilities (Groups I–III)

Persons with disabilities have a legal ground not to be called up during mobilization. In practice, this is implemented by submitting documents confirming disability and formalizing a deferment/mark in the records in the prescribed manner (offline or online, depending on available tools).

Persons caring for a seriously ill person or a person with a disability

Care-based grounds always come down to evidence. Typically, you must show (1) the relevant legal/family relationship, (2) medical documents confirming the person’s condition, and (3) the actual need for care (and, depending on the specific ground in Article 23, sometimes that there are no other persons who can provide such care).

List of diseases and conditions that may qualify

One important clarification: the law does not provide a short “list of diagnoses.” MMB decisions are made on the basis of the Regulation on Military Medical Expertise and the Schedule of Diseases, which define fitness criteria linked to functional impairment.

General categories of diseases

Questions of deferment most often arise in conditions that cause pronounced or persistent functional limitations. These may include cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases with insufficiency, consequences of injuries or diseases of the nervous system, musculoskeletal disorders after injuries or surgeries, severe systemic and oncological diseases, and endocrine disorders with complications. Significant vision/hearing impairments and mental disorders are assessed separately—but always through confirmed severity and their impact on functioning.

Examples of diseases with severe functional impairments

The Schedule of Diseases follows this logic: the same diagnosis may lead to different MMB outcomes depending on whether there are significant, moderate, or minor functional impairments (based on tests, complications, the frequency of exacerbations, and laboratory/instrumental indicators, etc.). That is why the phrase “with functional impairment” in medical records, supported by objective data, is often decisive.

Why the degree of severity matters more than the diagnosis itself

A diagnosis is a label, while the MMB assesses capacity and functionality. For example, a “chronic disease” may be in remission and barely affect daily life, or it may be accompanied by decompensation, complications, frequent hospitalizations, and risks. That is why the strongest argument is not “I was given a diagnosis,” but “here are documents confirming the degree of functional impairment and the treatment course over time.”

How to obtain a deferment

Undergoing the Military Medical Commission (MMB)

The MMB operates under the Regulation on Military Medical Expertise. In practice, the process usually looks like this:

1. Receiving a referral/summons and preparing medical records;
2. Seeing specialists, undergoing tests, and documenting results;
3. The MMB meeting and issuance of a ruling on fitness/unfitness.

What documents are needed to confirm health status

Below is a practical set of documents typically used to substantiate a health-based deferment (without unnecessary “minutiae”):

• hospital discharge summaries (epicrises) and treatment records;
• opinions from relevant specialists describing the condition and functional limitations;
• instrumental/lab test results (MRI/CT/ultrasound, ECG/Holter, X-ray, lab tests, etc., as relevant);
• documents on surgeries, rehabilitation, and prescriptions;
• where applicable—documents confirming disability status.

Submitting documents via CNAP or TCC

From 1 November 2025, a deferment application is submitted either online in the Reserve+ app or offline via CNAP. CNAP receives documents, scans/digitizes them, and forwards them to the TCC commission, but the decision is made by the commission at the TCC & SP. After 01.11.2025, direct submission to the TCC by citizens is, in most cases, no longer used.

If procedural issues arise or you disagree with the commission’s decision, it may be worth involving professional lawyers to properly prepare the document package or initiate an appeal.

MMB decision and next steps

After the MMB issues its ruling, the logic is straightforward: if temporary unfitness is established for a defined period, you formalize the deferment for that period through the available channel (Reserve+ or CNAP). For Reserve+, it is important that the MMB ruling/data be entered into the electronic registries; if the status does not sync, apply via CNAP. If the decision is different (or you disagree with the assessment), you should immediately consider the appeal mechanism and gather additional medical evidence.

Validity periods of a deferment and their review

Set periods: 6–12 months

For temporary unfitness, the MMB sets a specific period, and in practice/under the legal framework it is commonly 6–12 months with a subsequent re-examination. In other words, a health-based deferment is usually not indefinite; it applies within the timeframe set by the MMB.

Review and extension of the deferment

Extension essentially means repeating the key element—a MMB re-examination. If the condition persists, the MMB may again establish temporary unfitness and set a new period; then the data are updated through the applicable channel (online/offline).

What happens after the period ends

After the deferment period ends, a repeat examination is usually required. If health has improved, the decision may shift toward fitness. If the grounds persist or worsen, the MMB issues a ruling in line with the Schedule of Diseases criteria.

Common mistakes and procedural nuances

Insufficient medical documentation

The most typical mistake is coming with general notes but without a solid “evidence backbone”: no discharge summaries, no test results, and no documented treatment course. For the MMB, this often means that the degree of functional impairment is not properly substantiated.

Incorrectly prepared MMB findings

Sometimes the problem is not the health condition but formalities: important documents are not considered, key test results are missing, or medical opinions contradict each other. In such situations, it is important to ensure that all relevant materials are included in the file and considered within the procedure.

What can lead to refusal

Refusals most often occur because there is no applicable legal ground for your case, or because the submitted documents do not prove the specific ground you rely on. Another common reason is procedural issues: an incomplete document package, non-compliance with form/requirements, or the absence of a MMB ruling where it is mandatory. In such cases, advice on military law may help.

Practical tips for reservists

How to prepare documents

Prepare a short “medical timeline”: diagnosis date → exacerbations/hospitalizations → tests → treatment → current status. If the diagnosis is complex, it is especially helpful to have a specialist’s opinion describing functional limitations (what exactly you cannot do, what the risks are, and which complications are present).

Recommendations for passing the MMB

• Bring originals and copies so the copies can be added to the file;
• Make sure key documents are actually included in the case file;
• Emphasize not the name of the diagnosis, but objective indicators and the impact on functioning.

What to do after obtaining a deferment

Keep the MMB ruling and the deferment confirmation, note the end date, and plan the re-examination in advance. Check that the deferment is reflected in your military registration record (in Reserve+ or via paper confirmation). If you applied via CNAP, keep a copy of the application and the proof of acceptance.

FAQ

Who exactly is entitled to a deferment from mobilization for health reasons?

Most often—reservists whom the MMB has found temporarily unfit for a specified period with re-examination, as well as persons with disabilities (as a legal ground not to be called up during mobilization).

Which diseases can be grounds for a deferment?

The ground is not the “name of the diagnosis,” but the criteria of the Schedule of Diseases and the degree of functional impairment confirmed by medical documents and the MMB ruling.

How to obtain a deferment from mobilization via CNAP?

You submit an application and documents to CNAP (as the intake channel). CNAP digitizes the documents and forwards them to the commission at the TCC & SP, which makes the decision (CNAP does not decide). The submission procedure via CNAP applies within the updated rules effective from 01.11.2025.

How long does a health-based deferment from mobilization last?

If the ground is temporary unfitness, the period is set by the MMB and, in practice/under the legal framework, is typically 6–12 months with a subsequent re-examination.

Can a refusal to grant a deferment be appealed?

Yes, but it is important to understand what exactly is being appealed. If the issue is the medical assessment, this concerns appealing the MMB decision (based on additional medical evidence and the rules of military medical expertise). If the refusal concerns an administrative decision on the deferment, then the standard mechanisms for appealing government decisions apply, including in court.

Conclusion

A deferment from mobilization for health reasons is not a “list of diagnoses,” but a combination of a legal ground under Article 23 and proper medical confirmation through the MMB. The best strategy for a reservist is to prepare a strong medical evidence base, focus on functional impairments, pass the MMB without gaps in documentation, and correctly submit the application through the available channel (Reserve+ or CNAP).