RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 	CASE:  PD-2015-00928
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Army 	SEPARATION DATE:  20080425

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was an Reserve E5, Military Police, medically separated for “chronic left groin pain,” with a disability rating of 10%.  

CI CONTENTION:  The CI contended that his disability was not properly adjudicated.  He requested that the Board review all of his conditions.    The complete submission is at Exhibit A.  

SCOPE OF REVIEW:  The panel’s scope of review is defined in DoDI 6040.44.  It is limited to review of disability ratings assigned 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 or non-compensable.  Any conditions outside the panel’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 panel’s authority is limited to assessing the fairness and accuracy of PEB rating determinations and recommending corrections, where appropriate.  The panel’s assessment of the PEB rating determination 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(s) at the time of separation.  The panel 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 panel 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 - 20080220	VARD – No Claim	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Chronic Left Groin Pain…	8599-8530	10%	No VA Examination in Evidence	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  NA	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Chronic Left Groin Pain.  According to service treatment records and the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s chronic left groin pain condition began in June 2006 after taking a physical fitness test.  He was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia and underwent surgical repair with mesh in August 2006.  Following surgery the CI continued to report left groin pain that radiated to the left testicle.  No significant urologic pathology or recurrent hernia was identified by multiple evaluations.  The CI was treated with multiple ilioinguinal nerve blocks, trigger point injections and pain medications without significant improvement in the pain. 

The MEB NARSUM examination on 3 December 2007, 5 months prior to separation, noted complaints of chronic left groin pain.  Physical examination showed a normal abdominal exam.  The inguinal surgical scar was well healed.  There was no evidence of recurrent hernia.  There was tenderness to palpation of the left groin that radiated to the left testicle.  Both testicles were descended and without masses.  The MEB NARSUM examiner indicated the CI’s functional status was that he was able to move about for a sedentary job, but was unable to perform vigorous physical activities due to the groin pain.  

There was no VA examination in evidence within the 12-month allowable window for adjudication.  

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the chronic left groin pain condition 10%, coded 8599-8520 (paralysis, incomplete paralysis of the ilioinguinal nerve), citing severe pain.  There was no evidence of a recurrent hernia for consideration of rating as inguinal hernia (7338).  IAW §4.114 (digestive system).  The PEB provided the highest rating available under 8530 for severe, incomplete or complete paralysis of the ilioinguinal nerve IAW VASRD 4.124a (neurological conditions).  There was no evidence of other urologic impairment for consideration of coding and rating IAW VASRD §4.115b (genitourinary system).  There was therefore no higher rating available than 10% as adjudicated by the PEB under any applicable VASRD code.  After due deliberation, considering all of the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the panel concluded that there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the left inguinal pain condition.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the chronic left groin pain condition and IAW VASRD §4.124a, the panel unanimously recommends no change in the PEB adjudication.  There were no other conditions within the panel’s scope of review for consideration.  The panel, 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 20150605, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record

AR20170007300, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX:

	The Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review (DoD PDBR) reviewed your application and found your separation disability rating and your separation from the Army for disability with severance pay to be accurate.  I have reviewed the Board’s recommendation and record of proceedings (copy enclosed), and I accept its recommendation.  I regret to inform you that your application to the DoD PDBR is denied.  

	This decision is final.  Recourse within the Department of Defense or the Department of the Army is exhausted; however, you have the option to seek relief by filing suit in a court of appropriate jurisdiction.

Sincerely,