RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

 

NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX CASE: PD1201711 

BRANCH OF SERVICE: ARMY BOARD DATE: 20130227 

SEPARATION DATE: 20020709 

 

 

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this 
covered individual (CI) was a Reserve PFC/E-3 (37F10/Psychological Operations Specialist) 
medically separated for stress fracture of the inferior pubic ramus. Thirty days after beginning 
basic training she developed pain in the left side of her lower back and right side of her pelvis 
and was diagnosed with an inferior pubic ramus stress fracture. The condition could not be 
adequately rehabilitated to meet the physical requirements of her Military Occupational 
Specialty (MOS) or satisfy physical fitness standards. She was issued a permanent L3 profile 
and referred for a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). The left inferior pubic ramus fracture, 
mechanical lower back pain and left retropatellar pain syndrome conditions were forwarded to 
the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) IAW AR 40-501. The PEB adjudicated the stress fracture of 
the inferior pubic ramus as unfitting, rated 0% and the remaining conditions were determined 
to be not unfitting and therefore not ratable. The CI made no appeals, and was medically 
separated with a 0% disability rating. 

 

 

CI CONTENTION: The CI elaborated no specific contention in her application. 

 

 

SCOPE OF REVIEW: The Board’s scope of review is defined in DoDI 6040.44, Enclosure 3, 
paragraph 5.e.(2). It is limited to those conditions determined by the PEB to be unfitting for 
continued military service and those conditions identified, but not determined to be unfitting 
by the PEB when specifically requested by the CI. The rating for the unfitting stress fracture of 
the inferior pubic ramus condition is addressed below; and, no additional conditions are within 
the DoDI 6040.44 defined purview of the Board. 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 of Correction of Military Records. 

 

 

RATING COMPARISON: 

 

Service IPEB – Dated 20020613 

VA - (3 Mos. Post-Separation) 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Exam 

Stress Fx of Inferior Pubic Ramus 

5099-
5022 

0% 

Residuals Stress Fx of Lt Pubis 

5099-
5022 

0% 

20021011 

Mechanical Low Back Pain 

Not Unfitting 

Lumbosacral Strain 

5295 

0%* 

20021011 

Lt Retropatellar Pain Syndrome 

Not Unfitting 

Patellofemoral Syndrome Lt Knee 

5260 

0%* 

20021011 

No Additional MEB/PEB Entries 

Other x 0 

20021011 

Combined: 0% 

Combined: 0% 



 

 

ANALYSIS SUMMARY: The Disability Evaluation System (DES) is responsible for maintaining a fit 
and vital fighting force. While the DES considers all of the member's medical conditions, 
compensation can only be offered for those medical conditions that cut short a member’s 
career, and then only to the degree of severity present at the time of final disposition. The DES 
has neither the role nor the authority to compensate members for anticipated future severity 


or potential complications of conditions resulting in medical separation nor for conditions 
determined to be service-connected by the VA but not determined to be unfitting by the PEB. 

 

Stress Fracture of Inferior Pubic Ramus Condition. The CI developed pain in the lower right 
pelvis area during basic training. Initial X-rays revealed no pathology. After continued pain 
with activity, a bone scan was obtained revealing a stress fracture of the right inferior pelvic 
ramus (sitting bone). The CI was appropriately treated with a 5 month trial of decreased 
activity with unsustained improvement. At the MEB/narrative summary (NARSUM) evaluation 
on 8 April 2002, 3 months prior to separation, the CI reported continued pelvic pain while 
running. She noted no bowel or bladder difficulties. On physical examination mild tenderness 
to palpation was present in right pelvic ramus area. Range-of-motion (ROM) of the hip and 
right leg was full with slight pain at extremes of motion. Motor strength was normal. At the VA 
Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluation on 11 October 2002, 3 months after separation, 
the CI reported the ability to function normally without restriction and to be working full time 
and attending college. On physical examination there was no tenderness over the pelvic bones. 
Gait, to include squatting, was normal. The examiner noted “no residuals of the pelvic fracture 
on today’s examination.” The Board directs attention to its rating recommendation based on 
the above evidence. The PEB and VA both rated the pelvic fracture condition 0% coded 5022, 
Periostitis. Rating level under this code is determined by limitation of motion. The Board 
considered rating under hip codes 5251, 5252, 5253 and 5254, but was unable to recommend a 
higher rating given the record in evidence. The Board unanimously agreed the condition did 
not rise to the level of minimal compensation under VASRD §4.59. 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 pelvic stress fracture 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 pelvic stress fracture condition and IAW VASRD §4.71a, 
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 

Stress Fracture of Inferior Pubic Ramus 

5099-5022 

0% 

COMBINED 

0% 



 

 


The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

Exhibit A. DD Form 294, dated 20120717, w/atchs 

Exhibit B. Service Treatment Record 

Exhibit C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Treatment Record 

 

 

 

 

 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, 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 
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, AR20130005522 (PD201201711) 

 

 

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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 

 Deputy Assistant Secretary 

 (Army Review Boards)