RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	    CASE:  PD-2014-01060
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Army	    SEPARATION DATE:  20061111

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was an active duty, E6, Information Systems Operator-Analyst, medically separated for “right trochanteric bursitis,” with a disability rating of 0%.  

CI CONTENTION:  The applicant makes no specific contention in their application.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.  

SCOPE OF REVIEW:  The Board’s scope of review is defined in DoDI 6040.44.  It is limited to those conditions determined by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) to be unfitting for continued military service and when specifically requested by the CI, those conditions identified by the PEB, but determined to be not unfitting.  Any conditions outside the Board’s defined scope of review and any contention not requested in this application may remain eligible for future consideration by the Board for Correction of Military Records.  Furthermore, the Board’s authority is limited to assessing the fairness and accuracy of PEB rating determinations and recommending corrections, where appropriate.  The Board’s assessment of the PEB rating determinations is confined to review of medical records and all available evidence for application of the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) standards to the unfitting medical condition at the time of separation.  The Board has neither the role nor the authority to compensate for post-separation progression or complications of service-connected conditions.  That role and authority is granted by Congress to the Department of Veterans Affairs, operating under a different set of laws.  The Board gives consideration to VA evidence, particularly within 12 months of separation, but only to the extent that it reasonably reflects the severity of the disability at the time of separation.  

RATING COMPARISON:  

SERVICE PEB - 20060927	VARD - 20070510	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Right Trochanteric Bursitis…	5019	0%	Right Trochanteric Bursitis	5252-5019	10%	20070320	
COMBINED RATING:  0%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  30%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Right Trochanteric Bursitis.  According to service treatment records and the Medical Evaluation Board narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s left hip condition began in 2001 after a motor vehicle accident.  A primary care note dated 10 January 2002 documented a diagnosis of right hip (greater trochanteric) bursitis.  The CI underwent physical therapy and steroid injections without significant pain relief.  Radiographic studies were normal.  An orthopedic note dated 17 February 2005 recommended non-operative treatment including a permanent profile and a trial change in duty.  There was no surgical indication.  The NARSUM dated 6 September 2006, noted full range-of-motion with tenderness to palpation over the right trochanteric bursa.  
At the VA Compensation and Pension examination performed 4 months after separation, the CI reported right hip pain with continued use of Celebrex.  On physical examination there was full, but moderately painful right hip range-of-motion.  

The Board directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the right hip condition 0%, coded 5019 (Bursitis), citing no limitation of motion.  The VA rated the right hip condition 10%, coded 5252-5019 (thigh limitation of flexion-bursitis), citing objective painful motion.  There was no limitation of motion which attains a minimum rating under the diagnostic codes for limitation of flexion or extension, and neither the Service nor VA evidence indicated the presence of femur malunion, hip ankylosis, or flail joint.  However, there was evidence of painful motion with functional loss supporting a 10% rating (based on §4.59, §4.40 and §4.45).  After due deliberation, considering all of the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the Board recommends a disability rating of 10% for the right hip bursitis condition.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the right hip bursitis condition, the Board unanimously recommends a disability rating of 10%, coded 5019 IAW VASRD §4.71a.  There were no other conditions within the Board’s scope of review for consideration.  The Board recommends that the CI’s prior determination be modified as follows, effective as of the date of her prior medical separation:  

CONDITION	VASRD CODE	RATING	
Right Trochanteric Bursitis	5019	10%	
RATING	10%	

The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 294, dated 20140102, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans Affairs Treatment Record

SAMR-RB										

MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, US Army Physical Disability Agency 
(AHRC-DO), 2900 Crystal Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA  22202-3557 

SUBJECT:  Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation for XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, AR20160005601 (PD201401060)

1.  I have reviewed the enclosed Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review (DoD PDBR) recommendation and record of proceedings pertaining to the subject individual.  Under the authority of Title 10, United States Code, section 1554a, accept the Board’s recommendation to modify the individual’s disability rating to 10% without re-characterization of the individual’s separation.  This decision is final.  

2.  I direct that all the Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected accordingly no later than 120 days from the date of this memorandum.   

3.  I request that a copy of the corrections and any related correspondence be provided to the individual concerned, counsel (if any), any Members of Congress who have shown interest, and to the Army Review Boards Agency with a copy of this memorandum without enclosures.

 BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

CF: 
(  ) DoD PDBR
(  ) DVA