RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2015-00782
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Marine Corps 	SEPARATION DATE:  20040229

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E2, General Service Marine, medically for “stress fracture right ilium,” with a disability rating of 10%.

CI CONTENTION:  The CI makes no contention.  The CI’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 based on 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 - 20040126	VARD - 20050316	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Stress Fracture Right Ilium	5299-5294	10%	Residuals, Right Ileum Stress Fracture	5255	0%	20050127	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  0%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Stress Fracture Right Ilium.  According to service treatment records (STR) and the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s right ilium condition began in September 2003 after during basic training.  The MEB forwarded stress fracture right ilium for PEB adjudication.  The MEB NARSUM examination on 24 December 2003, 2 months prior to separation, noted complaints of insidious onset of right pelvis pain that radiated to the right thigh.  The CI stated the right pelvis pain persists with running.  The CI was observed to ambulate with the use of crutches.  The CI had a slight antalgic gait without crutches.  Physical examination showed a positive Faber’s test on the right with associated tenderness at the right sacroiliac (SI) joint and a positive single leg stand on the right.  The CI demonstrated normal straight leg raises bilaterally and negative pain with booking of the pelvis in and out.  A bone scan performed on 18 September 2003 revealed a right ilium stress fracture.  Radiographs performed on 15 November 2003 and 17 December 2003 evidenced a right ilium stress fracture with a sclerotic line noting interval healing.  At the MEB examination (recorded on DD Forms 2807 and 2808) dated January 2004, 2 months prior to separation, the CI reported broken bone, ilium stress fracture.  Physical examination showed tenderness to palpation at the right anterior superior iliac crest, full range of motion (ROM), full strength, no edema, no ecchymosis and no erythema.  The examiner noted that the CI was taking Tylenol and Ultram for pain medication.  At the 27 January 2005 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluation, performed 11 months after separation, the CI reported no complaints.  She admitted she is on her feet most of the time at work.  Physical examination demonstrated full ROM without pain, crepitus or discomfort at the lower extremities.  The CI’s gait, stance and coordination were normal.  

The Board directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the right ilium condition 10%, coded 5299-5294 (analogous to Sacroiliac injury and weakness).  The VA rated the condition 0% coded 5255 (impairment of the femur), based on the VA C&P examination 11 months after separation, citing a full, non-compensable, ROM.  There was no evidence of hip limitation of motion, malunion, or nonunion for a higher than 10% rating.  After due deliberation, considering all of the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the Board concluded that there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the right ilium condition.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the stress fracture right ilium condition and IAW VASRD §4.71a, the Board unanimously recommends no change in the PEB adjudication.  There were no other conditions within the Board’s scope of review for consideration.  The Board, therefore, recommends that there be no re-characterization of the CI’s disability and separation determination.  

The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 294, dated 20150602, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans Affairs Treatment Record

MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY COUNCIL OF REVIEW
               BOARDS 

Subj:  PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW (PDBR) RECOMMENDATIONS
 
Ref:   (a) DoDI 6040.44
       (b) CORB ltr dtd 25 Apr 17

      In accordance with reference (a), I have reviewed the cases forwarded by reference (b), and, for the reasons provided in their forwarding memorandums, approve the recommendations of the PDBR that the following individual’s records not be corrected to reflect a change in either characterization of separation or in the disability rating previously assigned by the Department of the Navy’s Physical Evaluation Board:

		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC 
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN 
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN 
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC

						XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
	     				  	Assistant General Counsel
						(Manpower & Reserve Affairs)