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-2018-00017

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 (CI) 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 CI was an active duty E5, Ground Communications Organizational Repairer, medically separated for “right ilioinguinal nerve injury” with a disability rating of 10%.	The PEB rated the nerve injury 10%, coded 8530 (paralysis of the ilioinguinal nerve). The VA rated the nerve injury 0%, coded 8530, based on the Compensation and Pension examination, citing pain and otherwise normal right testicle. The VA also assigned a 10% rating for the thoracolumbar spine (related to the right back/groin pain), coded 5237 (lumbosacral strain), citing pain at the end of normal range of motion (ROM). A 10% rating is the highest available under code 8530, and although other VASRD nerve codes were considered, all were less applicable and/or not advantageous for rating. A 10% rating was alternatively warranted for painful thoracolumbar spine motion (related to the ilioinguinal nerve symptoms), but there was no evidence limitation of motion, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour for higher rating under a spine code. 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 ilioinguinal nerve condition.

DEPARlMENT OF THE NAVY
SECRETARY OF 'rnE 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:

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.