RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2017-01738
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Army 	SEPARATION DATE:  20061223

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

CI CONTENTION:  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 - 20061109	VARD - 20070710	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Contact Dermatitis	7806	10%	Contact Dermatitis	7806	10%	STR	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  10%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Contact Dermatitis.  According to the service treatment record (STR) and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s contact dermatitis condition began in basic training while wearing MOPP (mission oriented protective posture) gear.  She was subsequently found to have a contact dermatitis to multiple materials and treated with avoidance, topical steroids, and antihistamines.  She was able to deploy, but her condition progressed to where she was unable to fulfill all duty requirements for her MOS and could not wear all uniform items.  She was then entered into the MEB process.  

At the 20 October 2006 MEB NARSUM examination, 2 months prior to separation, the CI reported an ongoing rash despite treatment and avoidance of sensitizing materials.  On examination she was found to have scaling of the hands and feet, overlying a background of erythematous (red), eczematous patches which extended to the trunk and covered 10% of the total body surface area.  The panel found no evidence of the use of systemic corticosteroids or immunosuppressant medications for a duration of over 6 weeks in the 12 months prior to separation.  There was no VA examination proximate to separation in evidence.  

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB and VA both rated the contact dermatitis condition 10%, coded 7806 (dermatitis or eczema), citing approximately 10% of total body surface area.  The VA also rated the contact dermatitis based on the STR.  The panel found no better coding option or route to a higher rating.  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 contact dermatitis condition.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the contact dermatitis 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 20170220, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans Affairs Record 

AR20180005842, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX:

	The Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review (DoD PDBR) reviewed your application and found your separation disability rating and your separation from the Army for disability with severance pay to be accurate.  I have reviewed the Board’s recommendation and record of proceedings (copy enclosed), and I accept its recommendation.  I regret to inform you that your application to the DoD PDBR is denied.  

	This decision is final.  Recourse within the Department of Defense or the Department of the Army is exhausted; however, you have the option to seek relief by filing suit in a court of appropriate jurisdiction.

Sincerely,					      
Enclosure