DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON DC

Office of the Assistant Secretary

SAF/MRBD (PDBR)
3351 Celmers Lane
JBA NAF Washington, MD 20762-6435

MEMORANDUM FOR THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, MANPOWER
AND RESERVE AFFAIRS

SUBJECT: Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation on Case Number PD-2017-05957
In accordance with Title 10 § 1554a and in compliance with DoDI 6040.44, the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) adjudicated the disability rating accompanying the medical separation of the covered individual from the United States Marine Corps. After carefully reviewing the application and medical separation case file, the PDBR recommended no re-characterization of the separation or modification of the disability rating previously assigned. I recommend you accept this proposed decision.
The covered individual (CI) was an active duty E5, Assault Amphibious Vehicle Repairer/Technician, medically separated for “right testicular pain” with a disability rating of 10% which the PEB coded 8630 (ilio-inguinal nerve neuritis). The PEB also listed status post bilateral testicular stripping and fixation and intermittent right testicular torsion as related Category II conditions that contributed to the primary unfitting condition but were not separately ratable. The impairment from these Category II conditions was properly subsumed under the overall rating for the right testicular pain IAW
§4.14 (avoidance of pyramiding; more than one rating based on the same impairment is prohibited). Utilizing the analogous code 7599-7523 (testis; atrophy complete), the VA rated the condition 0%. In the absence of any form of atrophy about the scrotum or testicle, VASRD code 7523 was not clinically accurate. When present, such chronic painful symptoms following scrotal or inguinal surgery is often from a neuropathic etiology involving the ilio-inguinal nerve which provides sensation to the areas of the groin, scrotum, and testicles. As such, utilizing a VASRD nerve code for impairment rating is quite appropriate. The panel agreed that the eventual return of the CI’s pain after surgical intervention only provided further evidence of the severity of the inciting condition and therefore, supported a ‘severe’ level of impairment equating to the maximum of 10% under 8630; equivalent to the PEB’s adjudication.
Therefore, considering all of the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the panel concluded there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB’s 10% adjudication for the right-sided testicular pain condition.

Sincerely,

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 Sep 20

From: Director, Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards To:	XXXXXXXXXXXX

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.