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-2017-05860
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 helicopter mechanic, medically separated for “bilateral fifth metatarsal head metatarsalgia” with a disability rating of 20% which the PEB combined at 10% each foot and coded 5279 (metatarsalgia, anterior, (Morton’s disease) unilateral or bilateral). The PEB additionally listed “bilateral fifth metatarsal head moderate malunion of the heads in plantarally displaced position” condition as related diagnoses (Category II) contributing to the disability in this case. The Category II diagnoses were not separate conditions which could be reasonably justified as separately unfitting; nor would separate ratings be achievable without violation of VASRD §4.14 (avoidance of pyramiding). The VA also rated each foot separately at 10% for a combined rating of 20%, coded 5280, based on the Compensation & Pension examination, citing hallux valgus following surgical resection. Panel members agreed that the VASRD code of 5279 as used by the PEB was clinically most appropriate in this case. The impairment rating under 5279 allows for a single rating of 10% applied either unilaterally or bilaterally. Both the pre-separation MEB examination as well as the post-separation VA examination did not reveal evidence of adverse clinical findings that would support a positive impairment rating.  Therefore, 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’s adjudication for the bilateral foot condition.

Sincerely,

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
SECRETARY OF TifE NAW COUNCIL OF REVIEW BOARDS 720 KENNON STREET SE STE 309
WASHINGTON NAW 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:	XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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.