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

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR, ARMY REVIEW BOARDS AGENCY

SUBJECT:  Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation on XXXXXXXXX
	Case Number PD-2017-06057

	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 Army.  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 was an active duty E-4, Cannon Crewmember, medically separated for “chronic left knee pain” with a disability rating of 10%, analogously coded 5099-5003 (degenerative arthritis), citing “some loss of joint motion.”  The VA also rated the left knee condition 10%, dual coded 5260-5024 (limitation of leg flexion due to tenosynovitis), based on the Compensation & Pension examination, citing “painful and limited motion of the left knee.”  There was no limitation of motion which supported a rating higher than 0% under the diagnostic codes for limitation of flexion or extension (5260, 5261).  However, there was evidence of painful motion with functional loss supporting a 10% rating IAW VASRD §§4.59, 4.40 and 4.45.  Other knee and analogous codes were less applicable or not advantageous to rating.  Therefore, there was no VASRD §4.71a rating higher than the 10% adjudicated by the PEB.  After due deliberation, considering all the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3, the panel concluded there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the left knee condition.  

In regards to the PEB’s fitness decision for the contended pes planus and right knee pain, the panel noted that neither condition was profiled, implicated in the commander’s statement or judged to fail retention standards.  There was no performance-based evidence from the record that either of the conditions significantly interfered with satisfactory duty performance at separation.  After due deliberation, the panel concluded there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB fitness determination for either of the contended conditions, so no additional disability ratings are recommended.     

AR20200004660,

	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.