RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2015-02051
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Marine Corps 	SEPARATION DATE:  20060731

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E4, Motor Transport Dispatcher, medically separated for “scrotal and groin pain,” with a disability rating of 0%.

CI CONTENTION:  “Review all conditions.”  The CI’s 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 - 20060526	VARD - 20070323	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Scrotal and Groin Pain	8730	0%	Bilateral Epididymitis	7599-7525	0%	20061218	
COMBINED RATING:  0%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  20%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Scrotal and Groin Pain.  According to service treatment records (STR) and the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s bilateral groin pain, right greater than left began in approximately April 2004 after a hernia repair on the right side in October 2003.  An ultrasound of the testes in March 2005 demonstrated bilateral hydroceles (fluid in the tissue that surrounds the testes and spermatic cord) without additional pathology.  A second ultrasound performed in September 2005, demonstrated trace bilateral hydrocele and bilateral epididymal cysts right greater than left.  Despite treatment with anti-inflammatory medications and cord blocks the CI continued to report bilateral groin and testicular pain.  The MEB forwarded “unspecified disorder of male genital organs” for PEB adjudication.  The MEB NARSUM examination on 25 April 2006, 3 months prior to separation, noted complaints of bilateral groin pain, right greater than left.  The CI admitted to being treated by pain management with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications as well as had cord blocks, desensitizing injections.  The CI stated that the cord blocks had minimal effect for approximately 6 hours.  The CI refused to have cord stripping due to the risk of infertility.  Physical examination showed tenderness at the right superficial inguinal ring, bilateral scrotal and epididymal tenderness to palpation (right greater than left) and some laxity in the left inguinal canal.  At the 10 March 2007 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluation, performed 7 months after separation, the CI stated he had chronic pain that worsens when he lifts heavy objects.  Physical examination found the testes were tender to palpation, especially over the epididymis.  The examiner noted that there were not any anatomical or pathological abnormalities visualized.  The examiner stated that there was not any evidence of urinary frequency, incontinence, long term drug therapy, one or two hospitalizations per year for intermittent management.  

The Board directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the scrotal and groin condition 0%, coded 8730 (neuralgia, ilio-inguinal nerve).  The VA  also rated the bilateral epididymitis condition 0% coded 7599-7525 (epididymo-orchitis, chronic only), based on the VA C&P examination 7 months after separation, citing no evidence of urinary frequency or incontinence.  The Board noted that IAW VASRD 4.124 the maximum rating for neuralgia is equal to moderate incomplete paralysis; which for 8730 is a 0% rating.   There evidence did not support a rating for long term drug therapy, hospitalizations or intermittent intensive management for a 10% rating analogous to 7525.  The Board considered whether the evidence supported an unfitting scar rating; however, the CI reported did not report inguinal pain at the site of the surgical scar and the scar was noted as well healed and non-tender.  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 scrotal and groin pain condition.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the scrotal and groin pain condition and IAW VASRD §4.124a, 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 20150722, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans Affairs Treatment Record

MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY COUNCIL OF REVIEW
               BOARDS 

Subj:  PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW (PDBR) RECOMMENDATIONS
 
Ref:   (a) DoDI 6040.44
       (b) CORB ltr dtd 25 Apr 17

      In accordance with reference (a), I have reviewed the cases forwarded by reference (b), and, for the reasons provided in their forwarding memorandums, approve the recommendations of the PDBR that the following individual’s records not be corrected to reflect a change in either characterization of separation or in the disability rating previously assigned by the Department of the Navy’s Physical Evaluation Board:

		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC 
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN 
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN 
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USN
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC
		- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, former USMC

						  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
	     				  Assistant General Counsel
						  (Manpower & Reserve Affairs)