RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXX		CASE: PD-2017-04670 BRANCH OF SERVICE: AIR FORCE	SEPARATION DATE: 20051003

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E3, Vehicle Operations Apprentice, medically separated for “diabetes mellitus, type I” with a disability rating of 20%.

CI CONTENTION: “Condition rendered me unfit for duty as well as unfit to pursue similar civilian career.”  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 – 20050812	VARD - 20060223	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Diabetes Mellitus, Type I	7913	20%	Diabetes Mellitus, Type I	7913	20%	20060117	
COMBINED RATING: 20%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS: 40%	
	
ANALYSIS SUMMARY:

Diabetes Mellitus, Type I. According to the service treatment record (STR) and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s diabetic symptoms began in November 2004 with increased frequency of urination, appetite, thirst, fatigue and trouble focusing. Lab work was completed and he was diagnosed with new onset diabetes and prescribed insulin. Following initiation of treatment, the STR showed no episodes of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia requiring hospitalizations or frequent visits to a diabetic care provider (twice a month or more frequently). There was no evidence of diabetic complications.

The 16 May 2005 MEB NARSUM examination, 5 months prior to separation, noted improvement of symptoms with medication, and sugar levels between 40 and 120 with good control. The CI was no longer having symptoms and the examiner did not restrict activities.

At the 17 January 2006 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination, 3 months after separation, the examiner stated the CI had no specific restriction of activities related to his diabetes. He was followed regularly and well-regulated without complications. Novolin insulin without oral diabetic medications was noted.

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence. The PEB rated the diabetes mellitus 20%, coded 7913 (diabetes mellitus). The VA also rated the diabetes mellitus condition 20%, coded 7913, based on the C&P examination, citing a requirement for insulin and restricted diet, or oral hypoglycemic agent and restricted diet. Members agreed that the requirement for treatment with insulin and restricted diet justified a 20% rating. Because there was no evidence of medically-prescribed regulation of activities, the next higher 40% rating was not justified. 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 diabetes mellitus.

BOARD FINDINGS: In the matter of the diabetes mellitus and IAW VASRD §4.119, 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:

XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXX
Dear XXXXXXXXX
Reference your application submitted under the provisions of DoDI 6040.44 (Section 1554, 10 USC), PDBR Case Number PD-2017-04670.
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.