RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW
NAME:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-	-	8
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  ARMY	SEPARATION DATE: 20070908
SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was a Reserve, E5, Signal Support Systems Specialist, medically separated for “chronic left wrist pain” with a disability rating of 0%.
CI CONTENTION: No specific contention was made. 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 - 20070810	VARD - NA	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Chronic Left Wrist Pain	5009-5003	0%	No VA Examination Proximate to Separation in Evidence	
COMBINED RATING: 0%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS: NA	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:

Chronic Left Wrist Pain. According to the service treatment record and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI fractured his dominant left wrist and underwent surgery for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) on 22 October 2004 during a previous period of active duty. The CI was also diagnosed with Reiter’s syndrome (joint pain in reaction to an infection) in May 2005 which caused pain in multiple joints. Since that time he continued to report constant left wrist pain. The CI separated from active duty in June 2005 and joined the Reserve. He was mobilized in January 2007 and complained of left wrist pain.

During the 4 May 2007 MEB examination (recorded on DD Forms 2807-1 and 2808), 4 months prior to separation, the physical examination showed healed scars on the top and bottom of the wrist. There was slight focal tenderness over the scars and limitation of motion in all planes of motion with painful flexion and extension. The MEB NARSUM examination exactly one month later noted complaints of left wrist pain aggravated by use and cold weather. Physical examination showed limitation of movement in all directions with pain, except during forearm supination and pronation. Physical therapy measured wrist and forearm range of motion for the MEB the next day and wrist extension was 71 degrees (normal 70) and flexion was 75 degrees

(normal 80) after repetition, with pain; forearm pronation and supination was normal after repetition with pain. 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 left wrist condition 0%, analogously coded 5099-5003 (degenerative arthritis), citing application of the US Army Physical Disability Agency pain policy. The panel noted there was no limitation of wrist (5215) or forearm motion (5213) that supported a rating under those codes. However, there was evidence of painful wrist motion for a 10% rating coded 5299-5215 (based on §§4.59, 4.40 and 4.45). There was no higher than a 10% rating supported for the wrist under any applicable VASRD code and there was no evidence of limited finger motion due to the wrist condition for additional rating. After due deliberation, considering all the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the panel recommends a disability rating of 10% for the left wrist condition, coded 5299-5215.

BOARD FINDINGS: In the matter of the left wrist condition, the panel recommends a disability rating of 10%, coded 5299-5215 IAW VASRD §4.71a. 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, effective the date of medical separation:

CONDITION	VASRD CODE	PERMANENT RATING	
Chronic Left Wrist Pain	5299-5215	10%	

The following documentary evidence was considered:

2	PD-2017-05378

AR20200004117,

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ARMY REVIEW BOARDS AGENCY 251 18TH STREET SOUTH, SUITE 385
ARLINGTON, VA 22202-3531

Dear	:

The Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review (DoD PDBR) reviewed your application and found that your disability rating should be modified but not to the degree that would justify changing your separation for disability with severance pay to a permanent retirement with disability. I have reviewed the Board’s recommendation and record of proceedings (copy enclosed) and I accept its recommendation. This will not result in any change to your separation document or the amount of severance pay. A copy of this decision will be filed with your Physical Evaluation Board records. I regret that the facts of the case did not provide you with the outcome you may have desired.

This decision is final. Recourse within the Department of Defense or the Department of the Army is exhausted; however, you have the option to seek relief by filing suit in a court of appropriate jurisdiction.

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

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