RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW
NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE: PD-2017-04857
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  NAVY	SEPARATION DATE: 20060503

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E6, Machinist’s Mate, medically separated for “chronic right groin pain” with a disability rating of 10%.

CI CONTENTION: Review of all conditions requested. 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 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 - 20060125	VARD - NA	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Chronic Right Groin Pain	7599-7525	10%	No VA Examination Proximate to Separation in Evidence	
COMBINED RATING: 10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS: NA	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:

Chronic Right Groin Pain. According to the service treatment record (STR) and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s right groin condition began in 2003 during a physical readiness test. He was evaluated by multiple consultants, including urology, general surgery, neurology, and orthopedics.   Multiple MRIs  of  the hips  and  a CT  kidney  stone  survey  were  normal.   The   9 November 2005 MEB NARSUM examination, 6 months prior to separation, noted complaints of chronic right groin pain worsened by activity. He lacked mobility and could not lift heavy objects. He was placed in a relatively sedentary work environment but was still having problems with groin pain in the inguinal canal. Medications, a hernia truss, and physical therapy did not relieve the pain. Physical examination was unremarkable and he had full strength and motion  of the bilateral hips. Palpation of the right inguinal canal elicited mild tenderness. Sensation was normal throughout the lower extremities.

The 5 December 2005 MEB examination (recorded on DD Forms 2807-1 and 2808), 5 months prior to separation, was unchanged from the NARSUM. Problems with the hip prevented him from moving around or standing for long periods due to severe pain, but he was otherwise able

to perform his duties satisfactorily. 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 rated the right groin condition 10% analogously coded 7599-7525 (chronic epididymo- orchitis). According to the VASRD, a disability rated under the 7525 code is rated as a urinary tract infection. The CI was non-responsive to a variety of interventions, but there was only evidence of mild tenderness in the right inguinal canal. Although the CI could not engage in strenuous activity, he was able to work in a sedentary environment. There was no STR evidence of recurrent symptomatic infections requiring drainage, frequent hospitalization, and/or requirement for continuous intensive management, to warrant a 30% disability 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 groin condition.

BOARD FINDINGS: In the matter of the right groin condition and IAW VASRD §4.115b, 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:

2	PD-2017-04857

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
SECRETARY OF THE 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:	

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.