RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2017-00711
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  AIR FORCE 	SEPARATION DATE:  20050328

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E3, Instrument and Flight Control Apprentice, medically separated for “ulcerative colitis” with a disability rating of 10%.  

CI CONTENTION:  “Please review all conditions.”  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 - 20050204	VARD - 20060308	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Ulcerative Colitis	7323	10%	Ulcerative Colitis	7323	10%	20060222	
Adjustment Disorder	Cat III	No VA placement	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  40% 	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Ulcerative Colitis.  According to the service treatment record and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s ulcerative colitis was diagnosed in August 2004 after a colonoscopy as a result of 6 months of cramping and blood with bowel movements.  The CI was treated with an oral steroid burst and long-term gastrointestinal anti-inflammatory medication with good results.  The 10 January 2005 MEB NARSUM examination, 3 months prior to separation, showed a normal abdominal evaluation.  

At the 22 February 2006 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluation, 11 months after separation, the CI reported using steroids three times in the previous year and had no more blood in the stool, but still had occasional abdominal cramping with occasional diarrhea and constipation.  His weight was stable.  Physical examination showed a normal abdominal evaluation and normal rectal examination with no active bleeding at that time.  

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the ulcerative colitis 10%, coded 7323 (colitis, ulcerative).  The VA also rated the ulcerative colitis 10%, coded 7323, citing infrequent exacerbations.  The panel noted continuous treatment of a confirmed diagnosis of ulcerative colitis.  There was no evidence, at the time of separation, of moderately severe disease with frequent exacerbations to justify the next higher 30% rating.  There are no other applicable codes.  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 ulcerative colitis.  

Contended PEB Condition:  Adjustment Disorder.  Adjustment disorder is not a condition that constitutes a disability.  After due deliberation, the panel concluded that there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB fitness determination for the contended condition and so no additional disability rating is recommended.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the ulcerative colitis and IAW VASRD §4.114, the panel recommends no change in the PEB adjudication.  In the matter of the contended adjustment disorder, the panel unanimously recommends no change from the PEB determination as not unfitting.  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 20170220, w/attachments
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans Affairs 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-2017-00711.

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