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 XXXXXXXXXXX Case Number PD-2017-06085

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 E2, Basic Marine, medically separated for “primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome” with a disability rating of 10%. The PEB analogously coded 7199-7121 (post-phlebitis syndrome of any etiology) and also listed pulmonary embolism, and deep venous thrombosis as related Category II conditions that contributed to the primary unfitting condition but were not separately ratable. The impairment from the pulmonary embolism, and deep venous thrombosis were properly subsumed under the overall rating for the primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome IAW §4.14 (avoidance of pyramiding; more than one rating based on the same impairment is prohibited). The VA also rated the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome 10%, analogously coded 6399-6350 (systemic lupus erythematosus), based on the service treatment record, citing exacerbations once or twice a year, or a condition which was symptomatic during the past 2 years. The narrative summary noted there was occasional left arm pain, and that strength and movement had returned to normal. The panel noted there was no evidence of persistent edema and/or pigmentation of the skin to meet criteria for a higher rating than the 10% assigned by the PEB. 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 antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

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 Sep20

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 ofno 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.