RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

 

NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX CASE: PD1201917 

BRANCH OF SERVICE: ARMY BOARD DATE: 20130411 

SEPARATION DATE: 20030815 

 

 

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this 
covered individual (CI) was an active duty SPC/E-4 (92A/Automated Logistics Specialist) 
medically separated for asthma. The CI began having symptoms of shortness of breath in 2002 
and was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. He was treated with medication therapy but 
his condition could not be adequately rehabilitated to meet the physical requirements of his 
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or satisfy physical fitness standards. He was issued a 
permanent P3 profile and referred for a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). The asthma 
condition, characterized as “exercise induced asthma” was forwarded to the Physical Evaluation 
Board (PEB) IAW AR 40-501. No other conditions were submitted by the MEB. The PEB 
adjudicated “exercise induced asthma with normal spirometry” as unfitting, rated 10% with 
likely application of the Veteran’s Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). The CI made 
no appeals, and was medically separated with a 10% combined disability rating. 

 

 

CI CONTENTION: The CI elaborated no specific contention in his 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 asthma 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 Board for 
Correction of Military Records. 

 

 

RATING COMPARISON: 

 

Service IPEB – Dated 20030513 

VA - (1 Mos. Pre Separation) 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Exam 

Exercise Induced Asthma 

6602 

10% 

Asthma 

6602 

10% 

20030715 

No Additional MEB/PEB Entries 

Other x 5 

20030715 

Combined: 10% 

Combined: 30% 



Derived from VA Rating Decision (VARD) dated 20030818 (most proximate to date of separation [DOS]). 

 

 

ANALYSIS SUMMARY: 

 

Asthma. The narrative summary (NARSUM) of March 2003 notes the CI was diagnosed with 
exercise induced asthma with little symptom improvement on medications. The CI had been a 
positive intradermal purified protein derivative (IPPD) converter and had completed medication 
(INH) treatment. At the MEB exam, the CI reported shortness of breath (SOB) with any 
significant exertion. The MEB physical exam, exam 5 months prior to separation, noted a 
normal lung exam and pulmonary function testing (PFT) documented FEV-1 of 88% predicted 
and FEV-1/FVC of 105% predicted with a history of a positive Methacholine challenge test 


(MCT). Restrictions were no Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) training (unable to 
wear protective mask), and unlimited walking with all other aerobic conditioning exercises at 
own pace. Current medications were listed as “Advair, Singular and Albuterol p.r.n.” Chest 
radiograph in May 2002 was normal. 

 

Three months prior to separation, the PEB disability description stated: “Exercise induced 
asthma, with normal spirometry. On intermittent Inhalational bronchodilator therapy. (MEBD 
DIAG 1 AND NARSUM) The NARSUM states soldier is taking Singulair and using an Advair 
inhaler daily, with Albuterol as needed. The medication profile shows that he received 60 
Singulair tablets on 16 September 2002 and two Advair inhalers on 13 September 2002. 
Neither medication is adequate for daily therapy for 8 months.” 

 

Treatment note dated 16 December 2002 indicated in the automated “Current Medication:” 
area that Advair Diskus inhaler was last filled 30 September 2002 with 2 refills and the last 
Singulair filled was 16 October 2002. At the VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam 
performed a month prior to separation, the CI reported being treated with Albuterol which 
helped, and stated “he gets flare-ups only with strenuous activity or exercise.” Exam showed 
normal lungs and the diagnosis was exercise induced asthma. 

 

The Board directs attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence. In its 
deliberations the members devoted ample attention to the issue of whether the requirement 
for daily bronchodilator and/or anti-inflammatory therapy was met in this case, as that is the 
pivotal criteria between a 10% or 30% rating IAW VASRD §4.97 in this case given the normal 
PFTs. Although there was some question on the exact amounts and timing of medication 
prescription and use, the PEB disability determination of intermittent medication use was 
matched by the VA exam history and rating determination of intermittent medication usage. 
Members agreed that there was not adequate reasonable doubt favoring the CI in support of 
daily medication use to support a rating recommendation higher than 10% IAW the criteria 
defined in VASRD §4.97. 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 asthma condition. The Board concluded 
therefore that this condition could not be recommended for additional disability rating. 

 

 

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 asthma condition and IAW VASRD §4.97, 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 

Exercise Induced Asthma 

6602 

10% 

COMBINED 

10% 



 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

Exhibit A. DD Form 294, dated 20120624, w/atchs 

Exhibit B. Service Treatment Record 

Exhibit C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Treatment Record 

 

 

 

 

 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, DAF 

 Director of Operations 

 Physical Disability Board of Review 

 


SFMR-RB 


 

 

MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, US Army Physical Disability Agency 

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

 

SUBJECT: Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation for 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, AR20130009565 (PD201201917) 

 

 

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 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

 Deputy Assistant Secretary 

 (Army Review Boards)