My interpretation would be this:
Case #1: You have your medical and then you have a heart attack, or go blind, or something. In that case you would LOSE your medical.
Case #2: You get a DUI. Your medical is revoked/suspended pending treatment or whatever therapy they want. Or you develop cancer...your medical is suspended pending treatment and/or getting yourself healthy. The FAA informs you your medical is SUSPENDED.
Case #3: You apply for a medical with a situation such as yours that the AME cannot alone decide. A deferral is usually issued instead of a denial or approval. The AME either needs more information or needs to forward the specifics of your case up the chain at the FAA for the board decision on whether to grant you a certificate, grant it through Special Issuance, deny it, or request more information or tests. I believe the deferral is good for a finite time period - if the required information isn't satisfactorily presented to the FAA in that period, they can deny the application.
That's my understanding. Check with AOPA or your AME.
Last edited by WhisperJet; 05-20-2015 at 04:25 AM.