Daily AncestorSurgeon's certificate
A surgeon's certificate is the medical examination report in a pension file, in which a pension examining surgeon described a claimant's disability.
From 1862, invalid pensioners had to be examined, usually every two years, by a doctor chosen by the commissioner of pensions, and special examinations could be ordered. The examiner recorded his findings on the front and back of the certificate and rated the disability, from one-fourth up to total. From 1882 and 1883, boards of three physicians examined claimants jointly.
A file may hold several certificates over many years. Do not confuse it with the certificate of disability, which discharged a soldier during the war.
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Daily Ancestor. "Surgeon's certificate." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/military/surgeons-certificate. Last checked 2026-10-12.