RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW
NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE: PD-2017-05913
BRANCH OF SERVICE: ARMY	SEPARATION DATE: 20060417

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E5, Health Care Specialist, medically separated for “uveitis” with a disability rating of 10%.

CI CONTENTION: Review requested of additional conditions not identified by the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). 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 PEB to be unfitting for continued military service, and when specifically requested by the CI, those conditions identified by the 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 - 20060323	VARD - 20060812	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Uveitis	6000	10%	Uveitis, Bilateral	6000	10%	20060427	
COMBINED RATING: 10%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS: 20%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:

Uveitis. According to the service treatment record and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI began experiencing ocular pain, photosensitivity and decreased vision in February 2005, and had a similar episode in his left eye in March 2005. Laboratory evaluation showed he was positive for HLA-B27 (genetic marker associated with inflammatory systemic diseases). On 12 October 2005, an ophthalmologist noted 3 episodes of uveitis (internal eye inflammation) within the calendar year and a related anterior uveitis diagnosis. Treatment included multiple courses of ocular steroids and pain medication which relieved symptoms. At the 6 March 2006 MEB NARSUM examination, 1 month prior to separation, the CI reported a history of recurrent

episodes of bilateral eye pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. Physical examination of the eyes was normal. The 27 April 2006 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) eye examination, 10 days after separation, was also normal.

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence. The PEB rated the eye condition 10%, coded 6000 (choroidopathy, including uveitis), citing secondary to HLA-8 27 positive. The VA also rated the eye condition 10%, coded 6000, based on the C&P examination, citing continued active pathology. The evidence demonstrated multiple episodes of acute, severe uveitis with 2 episodes of incapacitation totaling 6 days of assigned quarters. Panel members agreed that the evidence did not support a 20% rating for incapacitation episodes of at least 2 weeks but less than 4 weeks during the 12-month period prior to separation. 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 uveitis.

BOARD FINDINGS: In the matter of the uveitis and IAW VASRD §4.79, 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.

		PD-2017-05913

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

	The Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review (DoD PDBR) reviewed your application and found your separation disability rating and your separation from the Army for disability with severance pay to be accurate.  I have reviewed the Board’s recommendation and record of proceedings (copy enclosed), and I accept its recommendation.  I regret to inform you that your application to the DoD PDBR is denied.  

	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.

2	PD-2017-05913