RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2017-02701
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  aRMY	SEPARATION DATE:  20031015

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E4, Unit Supply Specialist, medically separated from the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) for “asthma” with a disability rating of 10%.

CI CONTENTION:  Review of 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 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 Physical Evaluation Board (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 FPEB - 20050222	VARD - 20031222	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Asthma	6602	10%	Asthma	6602	30%	STR	
COMBINED RATING:  10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS:  30%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:

Asthma.  According to the service treatment record (STR) and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI was diagnosed with asthma in October 2002 after a short history of asthma exacerbations and allergic reaction to grassy landscape.  He was separated and placed on the TDRL on 16 October 2003.  During the 20 September 2004 TDRL revaluation, 6 months before TDRL removal, the CI reported his asthma was well-controlled with use of medications and strict control of exposure to the environment.  Physical examination of the respiratory systems was unremarkable, and pulmonary function testing on the same day showed FEV-1 of 73% of predicted and FEV-1/FVC of 84% post-bronchodilator.  Prescribed medications included albuterol (inhalational bronchodilator), Singulair (oral indirect-acting bronchodilator), Advair (inhalational steroid/bronchodilator combination) “and nebulizer with albuterol every 4 hours PRN exacerbation.”  The examiner diagnosed moderate and persistent asthma, and noted the condition appeared stable but not improved.  There was no VA examination in evidence.

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the asthma 10%, coded 6602 (asthma, bronchial), citing intermittent bronchodilator therapy based on the medication profile documentation.  The VA rated the asthma 30%, also coded 6602, based on the STR, citing, “use of medication, Advair, Singulair and albuterol and nebulizer machine with albuterol, on daily basis to control symptoms.”  Members agreed that the CI’s continued use of Advair and/or Singular met the criteria for a 30% rating, which stipulates “FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication.”  A higher 60% rating was not justified by the CI’s pulmonary function test results, at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic corticosteroids.  After due deliberation, considering all f the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the panel recommends a disability rating of 30% for the asthma, coded 6602.

BOARD FINDINGS:  In the matter of the asthma, the panel recommends a disability rating of 30%, coded 6602 IAW VASRD §4.97.  There are no other conditions within the panel’s scope of review for consideration.  

The panel recommends the CI’s prior determination be modified as follows; and, that the discharge with severance pay be re-characterized to reflect permanent disability retirement, effective the date of medical separation:

CONDITION	VASRD CODE	PERMANENT RATING	
Asthma	6602	30%	

The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 294, dated 20170323, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans Affairs Record

AR20190006834, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I accept the recommendation of the Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review (DoD PDBR) to re-characterize your separation as a disability retirement with the combined disability rating of 30% effective the date of your medical separation for disability with severance pay.  Enclosed is a copy of the Board’s recommendation and record of proceedings for your information.

	The re-characterization of your separation as a disability retirement will result in an adjustment to your pay providing retirement pay from the date of your original medical separation minus the amount of severance pay you were previously paid at separation.
 
	The accepted DoD PDBR recommendation has been forwarded to the Army Physical Disability Agency for required correction of records and then to the U.S. Defense Finance and Accounting Service to make the necessary adjustment to your pay and allowances.  These agencies will provide you with official notification by mail as soon as the directed corrections have been made and will provide information on your retirement benefits.  Due to the large number of cases in process, please be advised that it may be several months before you receive notification that the corrections are completed and pay adjusted.  Inquiry concerning your correction of records should be addressed to the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency, (AHRC-DO), 2900 Crystal Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA  22202-3557.

	A copy of this decision has also been provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs