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
	Case Number PD-2020-00005

	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 was an active duty E4, Fuels Journeyman, medically separated for “asthma” with a disability rating of 10%, coded 6602 (asthma, bronchial), citing “the member testified he is only taking albuterol about once per month [and]…that he has not used the inhaled steroids and allergy medications in the past eleven months.”  The VA assigned the same code and rating based on the Compensation & Pension examination.  Panel members agreed that the 10% rating was justified by the intermittent use of inhaled bronchodilator therapy.  There was no pulmonary function testing evidence to support the next higher 30% rating.  Likewise, a 30% rating was not justified in the absence of daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or inhalational anti-inflammatory medication.  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 asthma.  

In regards to the PEB’s fitness determination for the contended PEB conditions of allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, the panel noted that neither of the conditions were profiled or implicated in the commander’s statement, and neither failed retention standards.  There was no performance-based evidence from the record that either of the conditions significantly interfered with satisfactory duty performance at separation.  After due deliberation, the panel concluded there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB fitness determination for either of the contended conditions, so no additional disability ratings are recommended.   

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

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXX:

		Reference your application submitted under the provisions of DoDI 6040.44 (Section 1554, 10 USC), PDBR Case Number PD-2020-00005.

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.