RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

 

NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXX BRANCH OF SERVICE: ARMY 

CASE NUMBER: PD1200974 SEPARATION DATE: 20030121 

BOARD DATE: 20130213 

 

 

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this 
covered individual (CI) was an active duty SPC/E-4 (13B10/Cannoneer/Assistant Gunner) 
medically separated for Diabetes Mellitus (DM). He was treated, but was not able to fully 
perform his military duties. He was issued a permanent P3 profile and underwent a Medical 
Evaluation Board (MEB). The MEB found the DM condition medically unacceptable, and 
referred him to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). No other conditions were listed on DA Form 
3947. The PEB found the DM condition unfitting, and rated it 20% IAW the Veterans Affairs 
Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). The CI made no appeals, and was medically separated 
with 20% disability. 

 

 

CI’s CONTENTION: “I have type 1 diabetes which has more complications than type 2 diabetes. 
I also have hypertension due to my diabetes. I am not overweight. I have had some 
complications as are written in VA records. I take insulin.” 

 

 

SCOPE OF REVIEW: The Board’s scope of review as defined in DoDI 6040.44 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 unfitting diabetes condition meets the criteria prescribed in DoDI 
6040.44, and is accordingly addressed below. No other conditions are within the Board’s 
purview. Any condition outside the Board’s defined scope of review may be eligible for future 
consideration by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. 

 

 

RATING COMPARISON: 

 

Army PEB – dated 200211001 

VA (3 mos. Pre-Separation) – Effective 20030122 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Exam 

Diabetes Mellitus 

7913 

20% 

Diabetes Mellitus 

7913 

20% 

20021028 

.No Additional MEB/PEB Entries. 

0% x 1/Not Service Connected x 1 

20021028 

Combined: 20% 

Combined: 20% 



 

 

ANALYSIS SUMMARY: The Board acknowledges the sentiment expressed by the CI regarding 
the impairment with which his conditions continue to burden him, and the significant impact 
they have had on his quality of life. It is noted for the record that the Board is subject to the 
same laws for disability entitlements as those under which the military Disability Evaluation 
System (DES) operates. The DES has neither the role nor the authority to compensate the CI for 
future severity or potential complications of conditions. That role and authority is granted to 
the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The Board evaluates DVA evidence in arriving at its 
recommendations, but its authority resides in evaluating the fairness of DES fitness and rating 


determinations at the time of separation. Compensation can only be granted for the degree of 
severity present at separation. The DVA, however, is empowered to re-evaluate a CI’s 
conditions for the purpose of adjusting the disability rating should the degree of impairment 
change over time. 

 

Diabetes mellitus (DM). In April 2002, the CI presented with malaise, polyuria, polydipsia, and 
anorexia. He was found to have elevated blood sugar and was diagnosed with DM. He was 
started on insulin and restricted diet. In May 2002, he was referred for an MEB. His MEB 
clinical evaluation was on 18 July 2002. At that time, the CI’s physical exam (PE) was normal. 
Blood pressure was 140/70. A recent laboratory evaluation had shown that hemoglobin A1C 
was reduced from 17.3% to 7.2%. His treatment plan included Insulin, restricted diet, and 
exercise. There was no mention of medically prescribed regulation of activities. In October 
2002, the CI had a VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. He reported that his symptoms 
had “settled” except for occasional chest pains and palpitations. The PE was normal. 
Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed frequent premature atrial contractions. Chest X-ray was 
normal. Stress test was normal, with 16.3 METs of exercise. Hemoglobin A1C was 6.2%. Once 
again, there was no mention of medically prescribed regulation of activities. 

 

The Board carefully examined all evidentiary information available, and directs attention to its 
rating recommendation based on the above evidence. The PEB and VA both chose the same 
coding and rating options for the DM condition. IAW VASRD §4.119, a rating of 20% is 
appropriate for DM requiring insulin and restricted diet. A higher rating of 40% would require 
medically prescribed regulation of activities (ROA). Regulation of activities is when a licensed 
healthcare provider prescribes or recommends that a diabetic patient avoid strenuous 
occupational or recreational activities. In the CI’s treatment record, there was not sufficient 
evidence that this was the case. After due deliberation, considering all of the evidence and 
mindful of VASRD §4.3 (Resolution of reasonable doubt), the Board concluded that there was 
insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the diabetes 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 DM condition and IAW VASRD §4.119, 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 

Diabetes Mellitus 

7913 

20% 

COMBINED 

20% 



 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

Exhibit A. DD Form 294, dated 20120606, w/atchs 

Exhibit B. Service Treatment Record 

Exhibit C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Treatment Record 

 

 

 

 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, DAF 

 Acting Director 

 Physical Disability Board of Review 

 


SFMR-RB 


 

 

MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, US Army Physical Disability Agency 

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

 

SUBJECT: Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation for 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, AR20130004069 (PD201200974) 

 

 

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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

 Deputy Assistant Secretary 

 (Army Review Boards)