RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

 

NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BRANCH OF SERVICE: ARMY 

CASE NUMBER: PD1201036 SEPARATION DATE: 20021118 

BOARD DATE: 20130219 

 

 

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this 
covered individual (CI) was an active duty SGT/E-5 (11B2P/Infantryman Rifle Team Leader), 
medically separated for Type I diabetes mellitus (DM) with Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of 7.5. The 
CI’s condition could not be adequately rehabilitated to meet the physical requirements of his 
Military Occupational Specialty. He was consequently issued a permanent P3 profile and 
referred for a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). The Type I DM condition was referred to the 
Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) as medically unacceptable IAW AR 40-510, 3-11b. No other 
conditions were submitted by the MEB. The PEB adjudicated the Type I DM condition as 
unfitting, rated 20%, with application of the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities 
(VASRD). The CI made no appeals, and was medically separated with that disability rating. 

 

 

CI CONTENTION: "I’m getting a bit older, and my injuries/disease are (sic) getting worse.” 

 

 

SCOPE OF REVIEW: The Board wishes to clarify that the scope of its review as defined in 
Department of Defense Instruction (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 rating for the unfitting Type I DM condition is 
addressed below. Any other conditions intended in request for Board consideration, or any 
condition or contention 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 20020726 

VA (~2.5 Mo. Post-Separation) – Effective 20021119 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Exam 

Type I Diabetes Mellitus 
With HgbA1C of 7.5 

7913 

20% 

Diabetes Mellitus, Type I 

7913 

20%* 

20030204 

.No Additional MEB/PEB Entries. 

Tinnitus, Bilateral 

6260 

10% 

20030204 

Hypertension Associated With 
Diabetes Mellitus, Type I 

7101 

10% 

20030204 

Not Service Connected x 1 

20030204 

Combined: 20% 

Combined: 40% 



*Note: Type I Diabetes Mellitus, 7913, increased to 40% effective 20050526 (combined 50%). 

 

 

ANALYSIS SUMMARY: The Board acknowledges the CI’s contention regarding the significant 
impairment with which his service-connected condition continues to burden him and has 
worsened; but, must emphasize that the Disability Evaluation System has neither the role nor 
the authority to compensate members for anticipated future severity or potential 
complications of conditions resulting in medical separation. That role and authority is granted 
by Congress to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), operating under a different set of 


laws. The Board considers DVA evidence proximate to separation in arriving at its 
recommendations; and, DoDI 6040.44 defines a 12-month interval for special consideration to 
post-separation evidence. Post-separation evidence is probative to the Board’s 
recommendations only to the extent that it reasonably reflects the disability at the time of 
separation. 

 

Type I Diabetes Mellitus. The CI presented to the battalion aid station on 13 February 2002 
with complaints of general malaise, frequent urination, and headache. Blood and urine 
samples were taken and glucose was 883 (normal less than 110) with an elevated glycosylated 
hemoglobin (HbA1c; indicator of long-term blood glucose control) of 12.1%. He was 
hospitalized briefly for initial blood glucose control and diagnosed with DM Type 1 (requiring 
insulin). The CI was managed with Insulin and dietary restrictions with good results. After 
stabilization on treatment there was no evidence of ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia requiring 
hospitalizations. His HbA1c decreased to 7.5% with normal fasting blood glucose in April 2002 
which was considered to fall within the target range of desired values. The commander’s 
statement, 7 months prior to separation recommended retention and reclassification and 
indicated that the CI “scores a maximum of 300 on every Armed Forces Physical Readiness Test 
and can perform any recruiter related task to a high standard.” Three months after his 
diagnosis (6 months prior to separation) the CI was issued a permanent P3 profile that 
restricted his duty assignments so as to assure his access to medications, refrigeration, and 
appropriate medical care. The block three assignment limitations included “No airborne 
operations, all physical activity at own pace and duration,” while blocks five and seven had no 
restrictions, and the physical fitness test of the two mile run, push-ups and sit-ups were 
permitted. At the time of the MEB narrative summary, 5 months prior to separation, the CI was 
asymptomatic and doing well. There was no clinical evidence of diabetes associated conditions 
such as diabetic retinopathy, cardiopulmonary abnormalities, peripheral vascular abnormalities, 
or evidence of peripheral neuropathy. 

 

At the VA Compensation and Pension exam, 2 months after separation, the CI reported no 
symptoms and no restrictions. He was attempting to become a body builder and was working 
out 1-2 hours per day. The VA Rating Decision (VARD) of June 2005 indicated a civilian medical 
report indicating fluctuating blood sugars, increased insulin requirements and required 
regulation of activities due to diabetes. The VA increased their rating to 40% effective May 
2005 (30 months after separation) based on that evidence. 

 

The Board directs attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence. The 
PEB rated the condition at 20% coded 7913 (DM) and the VA rated the condition at 20% coded 
7913 proximate to separation. The 2005 VA rating increase was adjudged as post-separation 
worsening and not indicative of the CI’s condition proximate to separation. The Board 
adjudged that the profile restrictions and permissions, did not met the VASRD 7913 criteria for 
regulation of activities (avoidance of strenuous occupational and recreational activities). Upon 
deliberation it was agreed that the 40% rating criteria were not reasonably supported by the 
evidence at hand. There were no hospitalizations after initial stabilization for diabetes related 
problems prior to separation and there were no regulation of activity. Thus none of the 40%, 
60% or 100% criteria were met at the time of separation. 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 of 
the Type I DM 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. In the matter of the DM 


Type 1 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 Type 1 

7913 

20% 

COMBINED 

20% 



 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

Exhibit A. DD Form 294, dated 20120508, w/atchs. 

Exhibit B. Service Treatment Record. 

Exhibit C. Department of Veterans Affairs Treatment Record. 

 

 

 

 

 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, DAF 

 Acting Director 

 Physical Disability Board of Review 

 


SFMR-RB 


 

 

MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, US Army Physical Disability Agency 

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

 

SUBJECT: Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation 
for XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, AR20130004070 (PD201201036) 

 

 

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)