RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2015-01089
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Army	SEPARATION DATE:  20080327

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E3, Food Service Specialist, medically separated for “right greater trochanteric bursitis,” with a disability rating of 10%.  

CI CONTENTION:  The CI’s conditions continue to worsen and negatively affect daily activities.  Her 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 - 20080312	VARD - 20081024	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Right Greater Trochanteric Bursitis	5019	10%	Right Greater Trochanteric Bursitis	5019	10%	20080304	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  0%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Right Greater Trochanteric Bursitis (Right Hip).  According to service treatment records and the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s right hip condition began during basic training when she jumped out of a truck during a live fire exercise.  Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI, and bone scan) were all within normal limits.  Despite treatment, the right hip condition could not be adequately rehabilitated to meet the physical requirements of the CI’s military specialty and she was referred for an MEB.  The MEB forwarded “right greater trochanteric bursitis” for PEB adjudication.  

The MEB NARSUM examination dated 7 January 2008, 3 months prior to separation, noted complaints of throbbing pain exacerbated by prolonged standing and walking greater than ½ to 1 mile.  
Physical examination showed hip tenderness, normal (5/5) motor strength and a range of motion (ROM) flexion of 110 degrees (normal 125), extension 15 (normal 20) and abduction 25 (normal 45).  Tenderness and painful motion were documented, along with an antalgic gait, on the NARSUM-referenced MEB examination (DD Form 2808) dated 13 November 2007.  

At the 4 March 2008 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluation, performed less than 1 month before separation, the CI reported constant dull ache of the right hip with increased pain with prolonged standing walking, running and sitting.  Physical examination showed hip tenderness with ROM flexion of 125 degrees, extension 30, external rotation 60 (normal 45), abduction 45 and adduction 25 (normal 45) with painful motion.  

The Board directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB and VA both rated the right hip condition 10%, coded 5019 (bursitis), citing painful motion.  There was sufficient objective evidence of painful motion supporting a 10% rating (based on §4.59, §4.40 and §4.45) as adjudicated by the PEB and VA.  There was no fracture, non-union, or malunion of the femur to support consideration under the respective codes for hip impairment related to long bone conditions (5255) and no examinations documented limitations of hip motion to warrant any rating higher than that awarded by the PEB.  

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 hip condition.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the right greater trochanteric bursitis 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 20150608, with attachments
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

08 MAR 2017

SUBJECT:  Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation for 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, AR20170002604 (PD201501089)

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, I accept the Board’s recommendation and hereby deny the individual’s application. This decision is final. The individual concerned, counsel (if any), and any Members of Congress who have shown interest in this application have been notified of this decision by mail.

 BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

Enclosure

CF: 
(  ) DoD PDBR
(  ) DVA