RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW
NAME:	CASE:  PD-	-	6
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  ARMY	SEPARATION DATE: 20070202
SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects this covered individual (CI) was an active duty E5, Network Switching Systems Operator/Maintainer, medically separated for “hypertension” with a disability rating of 0%.
CI CONTENTION: The CI requested review of additional conditions not identified by the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). The complete submission is at Exhibit A.
SCOPE OF REVIEW: The panel’s scope of review is defined in DoDI 6040.44. It is limited to review of disability ratings assigned to those conditions determined by the PEB to be unfitting for continued military service, and when specifically requested by the CI, those conditions identified by the MEB, but determined by the PEB to be not unfitting or non-compensable. Any conditions outside the panel’s defined scope of review, and any contention not requested in this application, may remain eligible for future consideration by the Board for Correction of Military Records. The panel’s authority is limited to assessing the fairness and accuracy of PEB rating determinations and recommending corrections when appropriate. The panel gives consideration to VA evidence, particularly within 12 months of separation, but only to the extent that it reasonably reflects the severity of disability at the time of separation.

RATING COMPARISON:

SERVICE PEB - 20070103	VARD - 20070904	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Hypertension	7101	0%	Hypertension	7101	10%	20070427	
COMBINED RATING: 0%	COMBINED RATING OF ALL VA CONDITIONS: 40%	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:

Hypertension. According to the service treatment record (STR) and MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s hypertension condition began in August 2006 after being air evacuated for difficult to control hypertension. She had several medication trials but her blood pressure remained difficult to control. During the 19 October 2006 MEB examination (recorded on DD Forms 2807-1 and 2808), 4 months prior to separation, the CI reported having chest pain issues, especially while  exercising.   Physical examination revealed blood pressure of 149/101.   The     8 December 2006 MEB NARSUM examination, 3 months prior to separation, noted complaints of poorly controlled/difficult to control hypertension. The CI had a full and thorough evaluation for secondary causes of hypertension all of which were negative. The echocardiogram in 2004 showed mild left ventricular hypertrophy and mild mitral regurgitation. Physical examination showed the CI was overweight, but otherwise unremarkable. The examiner reported blood pressure range from August to November 2006, was anywhere in between 138-177 over 86-103.

At the 27 April 2007 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination, 2 months after separation, the CI reported headaches and dizziness intermittently.   She denied any signs of

angina, dyspnea, or excessive sweating. Physical examination revealed blood pressure readings of 153/101, 148/98, and 160/110.

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence. The PEB rated the hypertension condition 0%, coded 7101 (hypertensive vascular disease), citing average blood pressure of 144/94 while on medication. The VA rated the hypertension condition 10%, coded 7101 (hypertensive vascular disease) based on the C&P examination, citing diastolic pressures predominantly 100 or more, which is treated with daily, oral medications. The 10% rating under the 7101 code is for diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or; systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or; minimum evaluation for an individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more who requires continuous medication for control. Panel members agreed, a 10% rating was justified based on a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, requiring continuous medication for control. After due deliberation, considering all the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the panel recommends a disability rating of 10% for the hypertension, coded 7101.

BOARD FINDINGS: In the matter of the hypertension condition, the panel recommends a disability rating of 10%, coded 7101 IAW VASRD §4.104. There are no other conditions within the panel’s scope of review for consideration.

The panel recommends the CI’s prior determination be modified as follows, effective the date of medical separation:

CONDITION	VASRD CODE	PERMANENT RATING	
Hypertension	7101	10%	

The following documentary evidence was considered:

2	PD-2018-00126

AR20200004706,

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ARMY REVIEW BOARDS AGENCY 251 18TH STREET SOUTH, SUITE 385
ARLINGTON, VA 22202-3531

Dear

The Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review (DoD PDBR)
reviewed your application and found that your disability rating should be modified but not to the degree that would justify changing your separation for disability with severance pay to a permanent retirement with disability. I have reviewed the Board’s recommendation and record of proceedings (copy enclosed) and I accept its recommendation. This will not result in any change to your separation document or the amount of severance pay. A copy of this decision will be filed with your Physical Evaluation Board records. I regret that the facts of the case did not provide you with the outcome you may have desired.

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.

A copy of this decision has also been provided to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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