RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW
NAME:	CASE:  PD-2017-0546	2
BRANCH OF SERVICE: MARINE CORPS	SEPARATION DATE: 20060415
SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E3, Rifleman, medically separated for “ulcerative colitis, pancolitis” with a disability rating of 10%.
CI CONTENTION: “The VA determined I was 30% disabled” and the condition has worsened. 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 - 20060222	VARD - NA	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Ulcerative Colitis, Pancolitis	7323	10%	No VA Examination Proximate to Separation in Evidence	
COMBINED RATING: 10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS: NA	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:

Ulcerative Colitis, Pancolitis. According to the service treatment record and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s colitis began in February 2005 with an insidious onset. The CI was hospitalized due to a 15-day history of bloody diarrhea and eight loose bowel movements daily associated with abdominal cramps. Gastroenterology work-up revealed positive fecal occult blood and fecal leukocyte tests. Colonoscopy showed mucosal lesions suggestive of ulcerative colitis, pancolitis. At the 9 March 2005 gastroenterology clinic visit the CI was about 85% back to baseline. Treatment included Asacol and Prednisone. Stools were five times a day, formed but slightly loose with a scant amount of blood. Overall, he felt much better. The CI reported to the emergency room 4 April due to persistent bloody stools following the March colonscopy.

The 2 September 2005 MEB NARSUM examination, 7 months prior to separation, noted complaints of approximately three bowel movements per day, which were loose but there was no diarrhea and no blood in the stool. Weight loss was intentional. The CI was taking Asacol daily. Colon biopsies showed marked acute and chronic inflammation. Physical examination showed a normal abdomen. The examiner noted that pancolitis was a chronic disease with an

unpredictable course and unpredictable flares. 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 colitis condition 10%, coded 7323 (ulcerative colitis). Under this code a 10% rating is assigned for moderate severity with infrequent exacerbations. A 30% rating requires the condition to be moderately severe with frequent exacerbations. At the time of the NARSUM, bowel movements had decreased to three movements a day, the CI was tapered off prednisone and the Asacol dosage was reduced from 1200 milligrams three times a day to 800 milligrams three times a day. The panel felt the disability picture more nearly approximated moderate severity with infrequent exacerbations. 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 ulcerative colitis condition.

BOARD FINDINGS: In the matter of the ulcerative colitis, pancolitis, and IAW VASRD §4.114, 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-2017-05462

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

IN 1!.EFLY l!.El'ER 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.