RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME: XXXXX		BRANCH OF SERVICE: air force
CASE NUMBER:  PD0900190 		COMPONENT: active
BOARD DATE: 20090625		SEPARATION DATE: 20030317

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SUMMARY OF CASE:  This covered individual (CI) was an Air Force Senior Airman Aircraft Maintenance Specialist medically separated in 2003 after four and a half years of active service.  He was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type I in April 2002.  With a diagnosis of diabetes he was not worldwide deployable and was referred for a fitness evaluation.  The Air Force Informal Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) found him unfit for continued service and he was separated with a 20% disability rating for 7913 Diabetes mellitus type I using the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Ratings Disabilities (VASRD) and applicable Air Force regulations.  Using an evaluation done prior to separation from the Air Force, the Veterans Administration (VA) rated this disability as 7913 Diabetes mellitus type I at 40% citing a single note in the CI’s service treatment record (STR) that stated he required insulin, regulation of diet, and regulation of activities.  The VA also rated 6260 Tinnitus at 10%, and 5299-5260 left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome each at 0% for a combined total of 50%.  The VA had initially rated 7913 at 20% but increased this to 40% when the CI asked them to consider a note of regulation of activities in his STR.  The CI noted the disparity between the Air Force and VA ratings for the diabetes and the fact that the VA also rated his tinnitus and requested a re-evaluation of his case. 

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BOARD FINDINGS:  IAW DoDI 6040.44, the Board used the Veteran’s Affairs Schedule of Rating Disabilities (VASRD) as the most favorable basis for rating.  After careful consideration of all available information, the Board concluded that the CI’s condition is appropriately rated at a 20% for 7913 Diabetes mellitus type I.  This rating is based on the requirement for insulin and regulation of diet but not regulation of activities. The board concluded there was insufficient evidence of a requirement to regulate activities.  The one note in the STR stating regulation of activities is required is dated 20021206.  It does not elaborate what activities need to be regulated and there is no mention of this anywhere else in the STR.  There are several progress notes specifying treatment plans for diabetes as well as diabetes education and follow-up evaluations in the STR both before and after December 2002 and not a single one of these mentions any regulation of activities. Also, the Narrative Summary reviewed by the PEB was written by the same provider who wrote the December 2002 note and it did not mention any requirement for regulation of activities.  The CI’s diabetes was in very good control with a hemoglobin A1C level of 5.7 in July 2002 and there was no evidence of any end organ damage at the time of separation.

The Board also examined the CI’s tinnitus and right and left patellofemoral syndromes and did not find any of these conditions to be unfitting at the time of separation.

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RECOMMENDATION: The Board recommends that there be no recharacterization of the CI’s separation.
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The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 294, dated 20090224, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record.
Exhibit C.  Department of Veteran's Affairs Treatment Record.

SAF/MRB
1535 Command Drive, Suite E-302
Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002

XXXXX

Dear XXXXX

	Reference your application submitted under the provisions of DoDI 6040.44 (Section 1554, 10 USC), PDBR Case Number PD-2009-00190.

	After careful consideration of your application and treatment records, the Physical Disability Board of Review determined that the rating assigned at the time of final disposition of your disability evaluation system processing was appropriate.  Accordingly, the Board recommended no recharacterization or modification of your separation with severance pay.

	I have carefully reviewed the evidence of record and the recommendation of the Board.  I concur with that finding and their conclusion that recharacterization of your separation is not warranted.  Accordingly, I accept their recommendation that your application be denied.

Attachment:
Record of Proceedings

cc:
SAF/MRBR