RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2015-01623
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Air Force 	SEPARATION DATE:  20020607

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E5, Maintenance Scheduling Craftsman, medically separated for “open angle glaucoma,” with a disability rating of 10%.

CI CONTENTION:  The CI requested a review of all conditions.  The CI’s 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 panel 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 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 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 - 20020412	VARD - 20021213	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Open Angle Glaucoma…	6013	10%	Glaucoma with Amblyopia	6013	10%	STR	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  10%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Open Angle Glaucoma. According to service treatment records (STR) and the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s open angle glaucoma condition was first diagnosed in 1997.  At that time, she did show some visual field loss but minimal difficulty with sight.  She was treated with Timoptic, Xalatan and Alphagan ophthalmic solutions achieving good control of her eye pressures.  Despite treatment, the open angle glaucoma condition could not be adequately rehabilitated to meet the physical requirements of the CI’s military specialty and the CI was referred for MEB.  The MEB forwarded “open angle glaucoma” for PEB adjudication.  

At the MEPS examination (recorded on DD Forms 2807 and 2808) dated 21 September 1993, 8 years and 3 months prior to separation, the CI’s right eye vision was recorded as 20/200 near and far and her left eye was 20/20 near and far.  The MEB NARSUM examination on 8 March 2002, 3 months prior to separation, noted complaints of increasing difficulty seeing, especially at night.  Physical examination revealed that her right visual field true was 20/400 and her left visual field was 20/30 true.  There was no VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluation in evidence.  

The Board directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the open angle glaucoma condition 10%, coded 6013 (open-angle glaucoma), citing right eye 20/400, left eye 20/30 with active disease.  The VA also rated the open angle glaucoma condition 10% coded 6013 (open angle glaucoma), based on review of the CI’s STR.  The Board agreed that the CI’s open angle glaucoma justified a 10% rating.  There is no higher rating available under the 6013 code.  The CI did not have evidence of episodes of angle closure to justify a higher rating under 6012.  She did not have vision 20/200 or worse in one eye and 20/40 in the other eye that would rate 20% under 6066.  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 open angle glaucoma condition.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the open angle glaucoma 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 20150626, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record

SAF/MRB
1500 West Perimeter Road, Suite 3700
Joint Base Andrews, MD  20762

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX:

Reference your application submitted under the provisions of DoDI 6040.44 (Section 1554, 10 USC), PDBR Case Number PD-2015-01623.

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,

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency

Attachment:
Record of Proceedings