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

MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR, AIR FORCE REVIEW BOARDS AGENCY

SUBJECT:  Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation on XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
	Case Number PD-2018-00162

	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 Air Force.  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 E3, Services Journeyman, medically separated for “chronic bilateral knee pain associated with chondromalacia patellae” with a combined disability rating of 10% which the PEB coded 5003-5299, a VASRD- compliant rating under 5003.  There was no VA examination proximate to separation in evidence. The panel first considered whether each knee condition, having been de-coupled from the combined PEB adjudication, remained separately unfitting.  Duty limitations recommended by the 13 May 2004 profile included no standing longer than one hour without 30 minutes rest, no running or climbing, and no exercising.  The CI was also restricted from running, cycling, pushups, sit-ups, and unit physical training.  According to the commander’s statement, the CI‘s condition caused her to be undeployable and unable to complete wartime training.  The narrative summary implicated both knees, and the MEB listed chronic bilateral knee pain.  The panel concluded there was not a preponderance of evidence in the service records which overcame the panel’s presumption that the unbundled left knee and right knee conditions were reasonably considered separately unfitting.  With regards to a rating recommendation for the unfitting left and right knee conditions at the time of separation, there was no limitation of motion which supported a rating under the diagnostic codes for limitation of flexion or extension (5260, 5261) for either knee.  Panel consensus was that there was insufficient evidence of painful motion with functional loss to support a 10% rating for either knee (based on §§4.59, 4.40 and 4.45).  The panel considered alternative VASRD knee and analogous codes, but all were less applicable and/or not advantageous to rating.  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 bilateral knee condition.  

SAF/MRB
3351 Celmers Lane
JBA NAF Washington, MD 20762-6435

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXX:

		Reference your application submitted under the provisions of DoDI 6040.44 (Section 1554, 10 USC), PDBR Case Number PD-2018-00162.

After careful consideration of your application and treatment records, the Physical Disability Board of Review determined that the rating assigned at the time of final disposition of your disability evaluation system processing was appropriate.  Accordingly, the Board recommended no rating modification or re-characterization of your separation.

I have carefully reviewed the evidence of record and the recommendation of the Board.  I concur with that finding and their conclusion that modification of your disability rating or characterization of your separation is not warranted.  Accordingly, I accept the recommendation that your application be denied.