RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2015-01375
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Air Force	SEPARATION DATE:  20050412

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E3, Nuclear Weapons Apprentice, medically separated for “asthma” with a disability rating of 10%.

CI CONTENTION:  The CI contends his asthma condition should be reviewed.  The 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 upon a 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 - 20050223	VARD - 20050801	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Asthma	6602	10%	Asthma	6602	0%	20050623	
COMBINED RATING: 10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  0%	

Asthma.  According to service treatment records (STR) and the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s asthma began in April 2004 with shortness of breath.  Three pulmonary function tests (PFT) from 29 April 2004 to 22 October 2004 ranged from predicted FEV1 75% to 102% to FEV1/FVC:  79% to 109%; with the least or poorest readings taken 6 months before separation.  At the 22 October 2004 MEB NARSUM examination, 3 months prior to separation, the CI complained of occasional shortness of breath with activities, occasional night-time cough but none within the last 2 months.  He stated he utilized Albuterol (inhalational therapy) once or twice a month.  The CI was prescribed Albuterol as needed.  The physical examination noted clear bilateral lungs.  The 23 June 2005 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) General evaluation, performed 2 months after separation, documented the CI utilizing Albuterol an average of once a week but most recently daily.  The VA PFT performed on 6 July 2005, 3 months after separation, revealed FEV1 100%; and FEV1/FVC 95%.  
The Board directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the asthma condition 10%, coded 6602 (asthma), citing application of DODI and VASRD guidelines.  The VA rated the asthma condition 0%, also coded 6602, based on the C&P examination 2 months after separation, citing FEV-1 at 100% of predicted.  A 30% rating stipulates “FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication.”  While a 10% rating requires “FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy.”  The Board noted that one STR PFT documented a FEV1 of 75% which supports a 10% rating.  The Board next considered that inhalational therapy (Albuterol) was prescribed during the time leading up to separation and was utilized on an intermittent basis to support a 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 asthma condition.

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the asthma condition and IAW VASRD §4.96, 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, undated, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans Affairs Treatment Record

SAF/MRB

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX:

Reference your application submitted under the provisions of DoDI 6040.44 (Section 1554, 10 USC), PDBR Case Number PD-2015-01375.

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.

Sincerely,

Attachment:
Record of Proceedings