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-2017-04115

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 was an active duty E6, Mine-Hunting Sonar Set Maintenance Technician, medically separated for “right shoulder anterior instability status post motor vehicle accident” with a disability rating of 20%. The PEB coded the shoulder condition 5202 (humerus, other impairment). The Category II diagnosis of right shoulder adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) is intrinsic to the rated condition and a separate rating cannot be supported without pyramiding (VASRD §4.14); thus, it is appropriately subsumed under the same rating. The VA rated the right shoulder condition 10%, analogously coded 5099-5019 (bursitis), based on the Compensation and Pension examination, citing painful and limited motion. The panel agreed that the VASRD §4.71a threshold for rating range of motion (ROM) impairment (code 5201, arm limitation of motion) is “at shoulder level” (approximately 90 degrees from the side), and both the pre-separation family practice encounter and the post-separation VA ROM evidence did support a 20% rating. The panel also agreed there was no fibrous union or nonunion of the humerus (5202), or clavicle or scapula impairment (5203) to support a higher 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 adjudication for the right shoulder condition.

Sincerely,

Attachments:

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

IN REPLY REFE R TO ,
1850
CORB: 003
10 Sep 20

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

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 of no 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.