RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2016-00021
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Navy	SEPARATION DATE:  20031024

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E4, Interior Communications Electrician, medically separated for “paroxysmal atrial fibrillation” with a disability rating of 10%.

CI CONTENTION:  Current condition supports a higher rating.  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 - 20030902	VARD – 20040227	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation	7010	10%	Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation	7010	0%	20040102	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  0%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:

Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.  According to the service treatment record (STR) and the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s heart condition began in November 2002 with an episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) that was converted to sinus rhythm (normal heart rate) with medication only.  The CI had a reported second episode in January 2003.  The CI reported additional episodes that were not captured on electrocardiogram (ECG) but he reported that they limited his physical activity and ability to perform his military specialty.

The 5 June 2003 MEB NARSUM examination, 5 months prior to separation, noted complaints of ongoing episodes of palpitation with near syncope.  Physical examination showed a normal cardiac examination with a heart rate of 64 beats per minute.  ECG showed normal sinus rhythm.

At the 2 January 2004 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluation, performed 2 months after separation, the CI reported a history of atrial fibrillation with shortness of breath.  Physical examination showed a normal cardiac examination with heart rate of 54 (normal 60-100).

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the heart condition 10%, coded 7010 (supraventricular arrhythmias).  The VA rated the heart condition 0%, also coded 7010, based on the C&P examination 2 months after separation, citing “absence of evidence showing permanent atrial fibrillation or one to four episodes per year of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or other supraventricular tachycardia documented by ECG or Holter monitor.”

The panel noted that in the months prior to separation the CI indicated he had two episodes of palpitations with lightheadedness.  Only one of those episodes was demonstrated on an ECG to be atrial fibrillation.  There was evidence of one to four episodes of atrial fibrillation per year proximate to separation to validate a 10% rating under code 7010.  There was not greater than 4 episodes per year documented by ECG or Holter monitor to satisfy the requirements for a 30% rating per the VASRD.  There were no other applicable codes for rating.  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 paroxysmal atrial fibrillation condition.

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation condition and IAW VASRD §4.104, the panel unanimously recommends no change in the PEB adjudication.  There are 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 20151230, 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

      In accordance with reference (a), I have reviewed the cases listed below and 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 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 USMC

		
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	     				  Acting