RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW
NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE: PD-2017-05921
BRANCH OF SERVICE: NAVY	SEPARATION DATE: 20030425

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E5, Submarine LCAC Craft Engineer/Assistant Operator, medically separated for “recalcitrant [bilateral] hand and foot eczema” with a disability rating of 0%.

CI CONTENTION: “Review all conditions.” 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 - 20030321	VARD - 20040209	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Recalcitrant [Bilateral]
Hand and Foot Eczema	7806	0%	Dyshidrotic Eczema	7806	0%	20030811	
COMBINED RATING: 0%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS: 0%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:

Recalcitrant Hand and Foot Eczema. According to the service treatment record and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s eczema condition began approximately in April 2002 manifesting on the bilateral feet and was followed by bumps on the hands in May 2002. The CI reported this his feet and area around the great toes would break down and became severely painful and red with scaling and bleeding. Both CI’s hands were subsequently affected. Treatment included every topical cream, followed by oral prednisone in June and November 2002, which helped to some degree. The CI was also treated with oral antibiotics to no avail. Multiple scrapings were negative for fungal infection.

The 21 November 2002 MEB NARSUM examination, 5 months prior to separation, noted complaints of severe bilateral foot pain with discomfort, occasional bleeding, fissuring, and cracking. Physical examination showed all five toes of the CI’s right foot were macerated, red and irritated with scaling and appeared to be secondarily infected. There was also white pustules within and pustular psoriasis was considered. The hands showed dermatitis. There were fine

areas of hyperhidrosis, with small lesions about 1 millimeter, and small papules that broke open, became painful, and left residual scaling.

At the 11 August 2003 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination, 4 months after separation, the CI reported constant bilateral feet skin lesions and pruritus since September 2000 and similar intermittent bilateral hand-palm symptoms. The CI reported his skin treatment consisted of daily Aquaphor (skin care ointment) and/or “eladryl and hydrogen” soaks to prevent infection about once a week. The CI was employed full-time. The examiner found bilateral symmetric circular crusted lesions erosions not greater than 3mm round, medial “boarders” of the feet without infection or hyperhidrosis. Skin of the hands was currently unaffected. There were neither fungal elements nor disfigurement.

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence. The PEB and VA both rated the eczema condition 0%, 7806 (dermatitis or eczema). The VA rated based on the C&P examination, citing a noncompensable examination showing eczema less than 5 percent of exposed areas affected. The panel noted the CI was treated with oral prednisone (systemic therapy) within the past 12 months before separation to support a 10% rating under code 7806. The panel considered alternative VASRD skin or analogous codes, but all were less applicable. 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 recalcitrant eczema condition, coded 7806.

BOARD FINDINGS: In the matter of the eczema condition, the panel recommends a disability rating of 10%, coded 7806 IAW VASRD §4.118. 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	
Recalcitrant Hand and Feet Eczema	7806	10%	

2	PD-2017-05921

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 12 Oct 20

From: To:

Subj:

Ref:

Director, Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW (PDBR)
(a) DoDI 6040.44
(b)	PDBR ltr of 7 Feb 20
(b)	

1.	Pursuant to reference (a), the PDBR reviewed your case and forwarded its recommendation to the Department of the Navy for appropriate action.

2.	On 7 October 2020, the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) took action in your case by accepting the recommendation of the PDBR. Accordingly, your records will be corrected to reflect an increase in the disability rating awarded by the Department of the Navy Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) from 0% to 10% without re-characterization of your discharge.

3.	For your information, since all disability ratings from 0% to 20% qualify for disability severance pay, the above stated increase will not result in your entitlement to additional compensation.

4.	The Assistant Secretary's determination, which represents final action in your case by the Department of the Navy, has been forwarded to the Navy Personnel Command for appropriate changes to your personnel records and notification to you upon completion.