RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2017-00475
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Air Force	SEPARATION DATE:  20080602

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E4, Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Journeyman, medically separated for “dermatitis” with a disability rating of 10%.  

CI CONTENTION:  “Because of the fact that the condition was not limited to my hands.  The contact dermatitis effects my entire body.”  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 Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), but determined by the PEB 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.  The panel’s authority is limited to assessing the fairness and accuracy of PEB rating determinations and recommending corrections when appropriate.  The panel’s assessment of the PEB rating determination is based on review of medical records and all available evidence relevant to application of the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) standards for 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, which operates 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 disability at the time of separation.   

RATING COMPARISON:  

SERVICE PEB - 20080411	VARD - NA	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Contact Dermatitis 	7806	10%	No VA Examination in Evidence	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  NA	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Contact Dermatitis to Hydraulic Fluid.  According to the service treatment record (STR) and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s skin condition began in 2004 when his hands became red, itchy and painful.  After some investigation, it was determined that hydraulic fluid was causing the allergic reaction.  None of the clinical notes in the STR indicate systemic therapy was prescribed within 2 years prior to separation.  The 14 January 2008 MEB NARSUM examination, 5 months prior to separation, noted the skin at that time was normal.  There was no mention of the use of oral or topical medication usage in the 2 years prior to separation.  There are no other examinations in the STR.    

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the skin condition 10%, coded 7806 (dermatitis or eczema).  The panel noted that at the time of the NARSUM, the skin was recorded as normal, indicating no chronic dermatitis existed.  The panel concluded there was no evidence to support a rating higher than that adjudicated by the PEB.  After due deliberation, considering all of the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the panel concluded there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the skin condition.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the skin condition and IAW VASRD §4.118, the panel recommends no change in the PEB adjudication.  There are no other conditions within the panel’s scope of review for consideration.  Therefore, the panel recommends no modification or re-characterization of the CI’s disability and separation determination.  

The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 294, dated 20170214, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record

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

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX:

		Reference your application submitted under the provisions of DoDI 6040.44 (Section 1554, 10 USC), PDBR Case Number PD-2017-00475.

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,

		

								XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
								Director
								Air Force Review Boards Agency

Attachment:
Record of Proceedings