DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON DC

Office of the Assistant Secretary

SAF/MRBD (PDBR)
3351 Celmers Lane
JBA NAF Washington, MD 20762-6435

MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, MANPOWER
AND RESERVE AFFAIRS

SUBJECT: Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation on Case Number PD-2017-02476

In accordance with Title 10 § 1554a and in compliance with DoDI 6040.44, the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) adjudicated the disability rating accompanying the medical separation of the covered individual from the United States Navy. After carefully reviewing the application and medical separation case file, the PDBR recommended no re-characterization of the separation or modification of the disability rating previously assigned. I recommend you accept this proposed decision.

The covered individual (CI) was an active duty E5, Military Investigator, medically separated for “bilateral medial compartment osteoarthritis” each rated 10%, with a combined disability rating of 20%. The PEB analogously coded the knee condition as 5299-5003 (degenerative arthritis). The VA rated each knee 10%, coded 5003, based on the Compensation and Pension examination, citing painful or limited motion of a major joint for each knee. There was no evidence of painful motion with functional loss supporting a 10% rating (based on §§4.59, 4.40 and 4.45). There likewise was no limitation of motion which attained a 10% rating under the diagnostic codes for limitation of flexion or extension (5260, 5261). However, the 5259 code (cartilage, semilunar, removal of, symptomatic) was applicable for both knees, but the maximum 10% rating under that code provided no benefit to the CI. The panel considered other VASRD knee and analogous codes, but all were less applicable and/or not advantageous for rating. After due deliberation, considering all the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the panel concluded there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudications for the right and left knee conditions.

Sincerely,

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
SECRETARY OF TIIE NAVY COUNCIL OF REVIEW BOARDS 720 KENNON STREET SE STE 309
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DC 20374-5023

IN REPLY REFER TO,
1850
CORB: 003
10 Sep20

From: Director, Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards To:	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Subj: PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW (PDBR) Ref:	(a) DoDI 6040.44
1.	Pursuant to reference (a), the PDBR reviewed your case and forwarded its recommendation to
the Department of the Navy on 13 Aug 2020 for appropriate action.

2.	On 27 August 2020, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) accepted the recommendation of the PDBR ofno change to your characterization of separation or disability rating assigned by the Department of the Navy's Physical Evaluation Board.

3.	The Secretary's decision on your PDBR application is final and is not subject to appeal or additional review by the Board for Correction of Naval Records.