RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2015-00977
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Air Force 	SEPARATION DATE:  20040517

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E5, Security Forces, medically separated for “irritable bowel syndrome,” with a disability rating of 10%.

CI CONTENTION:  The CI contends his unfitting condition continues to negatively impact his life to this day.  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 - 20040224	VARD – No Rating	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
IBS	7319	10%	No VA Examination in Evidence	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  NA	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  According to service treatment records and the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) condition began in 2002 after return from a deployment.  The CI developed bloody diarrhea and he underwent evaluation by gastroenterology and was diagnosed with IBS.  The CI was treated with an oral opiate containing medication which was effective, but caused some sedation.  He was therefore restricted from bearing arms.    

The MEB NARSUM examination on 2 February 2004, 3 months prior to separation, noted complaints of ongoing crampy diarrhea, controlled with medication with some sedation side effect.  Physical examination showed a soft abdomen without masses, but with tenderness on the left.  The commander’s statement dated 9 February 2004 indicated that the CI had missed minimal time due to the IBS for appointments and treatment, and had not lost any total days of work.  The commander noted that the initial side effect of drowsiness with use of the IBS medication was no longer present and he had requested that the CI be reconsidered for use of firearms prior to receiving notice of the medical board.  However, the commander also noted that the CI had no desire to be cross trained in another filed.

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 IBS condition 10%, coded 7319 (irritable colon syndrome).  The PEB assigned a 10% rating for the IBS and the panel reviewed to see if a higher rating was supported.  However, there was no evidence to support the next higher rating of 30%, specified as “severe; diarrhea, or alternating diarrhea and constipation, with more or less constant abdominal distress.  The panel agreed that the 7319 was the appropriate VASRD code in this case and therefore, did not consider other GI codes or analogous codes.  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 IBS condition.  

PANEL FINDINGS:  In the matter of the irritable bowel syndrome condition and IAW VASRD §4.114, 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 20150607, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans Affairs Treatment Record

SAF/MRB

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Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Reference your application submitted under the provisions of DoDI 6040.44 (Section 1554, 10 USC), PDBR Case Number PD-2015-00977.

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 re-characterization or modification of your separation.

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