RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

 

NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BRANCH OF SERVICE: ARMY 

CASE NUMBER: PD1200842 SEPARATION DATE: 20040203 

BOARD DATE: 20130219 

 

 

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this 
covered individual (CI) was an active duty SPC/E-4 (97B/CI Agent), medically separated for 
chronic left foot pain due to sprain of the 5th metatarsal cuboid and plantar fasciitis. Chronic 
left foot pain due to sprain of the 5th metatarsal cuboid and plantar fasciitis condition did not 
improve adequately with treatment to meet the physical requirements of his Military 
Occupational Specialty (MOS) or satisfy physical fitness standards. He was issued a permanent 
L3 profile and referred for a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). Dysthymic disorder condition, 
identified in the rating chart below, were also identified and forwarded by the MEB. The 
Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) adjudicated the chronic left foot pain due to sprain of the 5th 
metatarsal cuboid and plantar fasciitis conditions as unfitting, rated 10%. The remaining 
condition was determined to be not unfitting. The CI made no appeals, and was medically 
separated with a 10% disability rating. 

 

 

CI CONTENTION: “I was discharged from the Army due to an avoidable injury. I was unable to 
serve effectively due to the negligent decisions of others. After being discharged I was unable 
to find employment for almost 3 years. I believe the PEB should have provided more. What the 
Army rate at 10% the VA has rated at 30%.” 

 

 

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 20031105 

VA (2 Mos. Pre-Separation) – All Effective Date 20040204 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Exam 

Chronic Left Foot Pain due to 
Sprain 5th Metatarsal Cuboid 
and Plantar Fasciitis 

5299-5279 

10% 

Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis 

5299-5276 

10% 

20031216 

Dysthymic Disorder 

Not Unfitting 

Dysthymic Disorder 

9433 

10% 

20031204 

.No Additional MEB/PEB Entries. 

0% X 1 / Not Service-Connected x 2 

 

Combined: 10% 

Combined: 20% 



Based on initial VARD. Rating for plantar fasciitis increased to 30% per VARD 20041025 with same effective date based on C&P 
examination 20040819. 

 

 

 


ANALYSIS SUMMARY: 

 

Chronic Left Foot Pain due to Sprain of the 5th Metatarsal Cuboid and Plantar Fasciitis 
Condition. Review of the service treatment record (STR) reflects care for left foot pain 
beginning in January 2002. The CI passed the two mile run on 4 June 2002. Subsequently 
increased left foot pain interfered with performance of duties including running. The left foot 
pain involved predominantly the lateral aspect of the foot and plantar fascia. X-rays were 
unremarkable (no fracture, spurring or malalignment) and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 
11 December 2002 was normal. Conservative treatment including medication, injections and 
shoe inserts was not effective in alleviating the pain and eventually the CI received a permanent 
profile in March 2003 and was referred to the PEB. The MEB narrative summary (NARSUM) 
physical examination, dated 11 July 2003 and updated NARSUM dated 15 October 2003, noted 
tenderness of the lateral base of the left 5th metatarsal and dorsal cuboid of the left foot as 
well as over the central one third of the medial left plantar fascia. No motor, vascular or skin 
abnormalities were noted. No pain was noted with rotation of the left metatarsal joint. Ankle 
range of motion (ROM) was normal without pain or crepitus. The CI was given a diagnosis of 
chronic sprain of the 5th metatarsal cuboid region and plantar fasciitis of the left foot. At the 
VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination, 16 December 2003, 6 weeks prior to 
separation, the CI reported continued pain with activity. The CI reported recent onset of right 
foot pain as well as left foot pain. On examination, there was tenderness of the arch and with 
metatarsal compression, but otherwise there was no pain on manipulation of the ankles or 
feet. The examiner stated there was no painful motion, edema, weakness or instability. The 
gait and station were normal. The CI was able to walk on toes and heels. Examination of shoes 
and gait without shoes on revealed no evidence of abnormal weight bearing. The Achilles 
tendons were midline. X-ray exam of the feet 16 December 2003 reported normal findings. 
Based on this examination, the VA rated bilateral plantar fasciitis condition 10%. A C&P 
examination for increased rating, 5 months post separation recorded increased symptoms and 
formed the basis for the increased VA rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis effective the day after 
separation. 

 

The Board directs attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence. The 
PEB rated the chronic left foot condition 10% analogously using the code 5279 for 
metatarsalgia. The VA rated bilateral plantar fasciitis 10% analogously under code 5276, 
acquired pes planus. The Board noted that only the left foot was unfitting. Review of the STR 
indicates only the left foot interfered with duties. A 21 November 2002 podiatry evaluation 
noted orthotics provided relief of right foot symptoms. STRs after that time were silent for 
right foot symptoms. Therefore, the Board only considered the left foot in its rating 
recommendation. The 5279 code chosen by the PEB provides for a maximum rating of 10%. 
There is not a specific code for plantar fasciitis. The rating criteria for acquired pes planus 
(5276) more nearly describes the CI’s condition of plantar fasciitis due to pes planus than the 
code selected by the PEB. Board members agreed that the CI’s condition did not approach the 
20% rating for unilateral severe as described in the criteria under VASRD 5276 and more nearly 
approximated the mild (0%) than the moderate level (10%). There was no evidence of 
abnormal weight bearing, characteristic callosities, abnormal alignment, or deformities. X-rays 
and MRI were normal. Although there was report of tenderness, gait was normal including toe 
and heel walking. 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 chronic left foot pain 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 
chronic left foot pain due to chronic sprain of the 5th metatarsal cuboid and plantar fasciitis 
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 

Chronic Left Foot Pain due to Chronic Sprain of the 5th metatarsal 
Cuboid and Plantar Fasciitis 

5299-5279 

10% 

COMBINED 

10% 



 

 

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 

 

 

 

 

 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, 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 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, AR20130005082 (PD2021200842) 

 

 

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 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 

 Deputy Assistant Secretary 

 (Army Review Boards)