RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

 

NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BRANCH OF SERVICE: ARMY 

CASE NUMBER: PD1200799 SEPARATION DATE: 20011114 

BOARD DATE: 20130305 

 

 

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this 
covered individual (CI) was an active duty, E1/PVT, Initial Entry Trainee, medically separated for 
exertional rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria with renal failure and coagulopathy. The CI 
developed an episode of rhabdomylosis during her first week of training. Although she 
recovered, the condition was disqualifying for continued military service due to the risk for 
recurrence. She was issued a permanent P3/L2 profile and referred for a Medical Evaluation 
Board (MEB). The MEB forwarded no other conditions for Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) 
adjudication. The PEB adjudicated the exertional rhabdomyolysis with myogolbinuria with 
renal failure and coagulopathy condition(s) as unfitting, rated 0% with application of the 
Veteran’s Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)/Department of Defense Instruction 
(DoDI) 1332.39. The CI made no appeals, and was medically separated with a 0% disability 
rating. 

 

 

CI CONTENTION: “These conditions were a result of active duty and retirement should be 
warranted.” 

 

 

SCOPE OF REVIEW: The Board wishes to clarify that the scope of its review as defined in DoDI 
6040.44, Enclosure 3, paragraph 5.e.(2) is limited to those conditions which were determined 
by the PEB to be specifically unfitting for continued military service; or, when requested by the 
CI, those condition(s) “identified but not determined to be unfitting by the PEB.” The ratings 
for unfitting conditions will be reviewed in all cases. Any conditions or contention not 
requested in this application, or otherwise outside the Board’s defined scope of review, remain 
eligible for future consideration by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. 

 

 

RATING COMPARISON: 

 

Service IPEB – Dated 20010904 

VA (25 Mos. Post-Separation) – NSC 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Exam 

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis 
w/myoglobinuria w/renal 
failure and coagulopathy 

5099-5021 

0% 

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis 
w/myoglobinuria w/renal 
failure and coagulopathy 

7599-7502 

NSC 

20031215 

.No Additional MEB/PEB Entries. 

0% X 0 / Not Service-Connected x 1 

 

Combined: 0% 

Combined: NSC 



 

 

 


ANALYSIS SUMMARY: 

 

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis with Myoglobinuria with Renal failure and Coagulopathy. The MEB 
narrative summary (NARSUM) dated 14 August 2001 noted that on 25 June 2001 the CI 
collapsed after performing strenuous activity (sit-ups, push-ups and running). The MEB 
NARSUM noted there was a pre-service history of difficulty tolerating physical activity; 
“overheats” and needs a time out. Laboratory testing immediately in the emergency room 
evidenced rhabdomyolysis, the abnormal breakdown of muscle tissue causing myoglobinuria 
(muscle protein in the urine), acute renal failure and coagulopathy. She was hospitalized for 
treatment. The CI responded well to the treatment and was discharged a few days later in a 
stable condition with the recommendation to follow up regularly with her civilian physician. 
Although the CI’s medical condition completely resolved and there were no complications or 
residuals such as coagulopathy or compartment syndrome, a permanent profile and 
subsequent MEB evaluation were recommended. The MEB exam dictated 11 July 2001 noted a 
normal physical exam with normal blood pressure, and no edema. There was minimal 
tenderness of the quadriceps muscle, but without any evidence of muscle complications. Full 
recovery without sequelae was anticipated. At the VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam 
performed on 15 December 2003, 2 years after separation, complete resolution of the episode 
of rhabdomyolysis was recorded, physical examination and laboratory testing was normal. 

 

The Board directs attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence. The 
PEB rated the condition 0% analogously to code 5021 (myositis). The VA adjudicated a coding 
analogously to 7502 (chronic nephritis) but denied service-connection citing a condition that 
completely resolved. The Board considered the episode of exertional rhabdomyolysis with 
myoglobinuria with renal failure and coagulopathy as well as short term and long term 
consequences of it. However, it was an isolated episode that resolved completely with 
adequate medical care and no residual disability was demonstrated. In July 2001, 4 months 
prior to separation both the physical exam and laboratory work returned to normal and the CI 
continued to maintain a healthy state 2 years after separation, when the C&P exam was 
performed. No rating could be assigned under either codes 5021 or 7502 chosen by the PEB 
and respectively VA given the fact that patient did not have edema, high blood pressure or 
abnormal laboratory results, included in the rating criteria. No other rating options could be 
considered as the CI recovered without impairment. After due deliberation, considering all of 
the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the Board concluded that there 
was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the exertional 
rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria with renal failure and coagulopathy condition. 

 

 

BOARD FINDINGS: IAW DoDI 6040.44, provisions of DoD or Military Department regulations or 
guidelines relied upon by the PEB will not be considered by the Board to the extent they were 
inconsistent with the VASRD in effect at the time of the adjudication. The Board did not 
surmise from the record or PEB ruling in this case that any prerogatives outside the VASRD 
were exercised. In the matter of the exertional rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria with renal 
failure and coagulopathy condition and IAW VASRD §4.115b, the Board unanimously 
recommends no change in the PEB adjudication. There were no other conditions within the 
Board’s scope of review for consideration. 

 


RECOMMENDATION: The Board, therefore, recommends that there be no recharacterization of 
the CI’s disability and separation determination, as follows: 

 

UNFITTING CONDITION 

VASRD CODE 

RATING 

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis with Myoglobinuria with Renal Failure 
and Coagulopathy 

5099-5021 

0% 

Rating 

0% 



 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

Exhibit A. DD Form 294, dated 20120617, w/atchs 

Exhibit B. Service Treatment Record 

Exhibit C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Treatment Record 

 

 

 

 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, DAF 

 Acting Director 

 Physical Disability Board of Review 

 


SFMR-RB 


 

 

MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, US Army Physical Disability Agency 

(TAPD-ZB / XXXXXXXXXX), 2900 Crystal Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22202-3557 

 

SUBJECT: Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation 
for XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, AR20130005089 (PD201200799) 

 

 

I have reviewed the enclosed Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of 
Review (DoD PDBR) recommendation and record of proceedings pertaining to the 
subject individual. Under the authority of Title 10, United States Code, section 1554a, 
I accept the Board’s recommendation and hereby deny the individual’s application. 

This decision is final. The individual concerned, counsel (if any), and any Members of 
Congress who have shown interest in this application have been notified of this decision 
by mail. 

 

 BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: 

 

 

 

 

Encl XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

 Deputy Assistant Secretary 

 (Army Review Boards)