RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

 

NAME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX BRANCH OF SERVICE: ARMY 

CASE NUMBER: PD1201315 SEPARATION DATE: 20010927 

BOARD DATE: 20130212 

 

 

SUMMARY OF CASE: Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this 
covered individual (CI) was an active duty PFC/E-3 (11B/Airborne Infantry) medically separated 
for Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP). He was treated, but was not able to fully perform his military 
duties. The CI was issued a permanent P3 profile and underwent a Medical Evaluation Board 
(MEB). The MEB found the RP condition medically unacceptable IAW AR 40-501, and referred 
him to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). No other conditions were listed on DA Form 3947. 
The PEB found the RP condition unfitting, and rated it 10% IAW the Veterans’ Administration 
Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). The CI made no appeals, and was medically separated 
with 10% disability. 

 

 

CI CONTENTION: “I have been evaluated and enlisted in the Department of VA Vocational 
Rehab program. My disability is worse than originally thought.” 

 

 

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 RP 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 20010810 

VA (6 mos. Post-Separation) – Effective 20020318 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Exam 

Raynaud’s Phenomenon 

7117 

10% 

Raynaud’s Phenomenon 

7122 

0% 

20020102 

Combined: 10% 

Combined: 0% 



 

 

ANALYSIS SUMMARY: The Board acknowledges the sentiment expressed by the CI regarding 
the impairment with which his RP condition continues to burden him, and the significant impact 
it has 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 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. 

 


Raynaud’s Phenomenon (RP). The CI presented in January 2001 complaining that since moving 
to Alaska, his distal extremities would turn purple after exposure to cold. In addition to color 
change, he reported pain and paresthesia. Symptoms were worst in the left hand. As noted 
above, the CI underwent a MEB. His MEB narrative summary (NARSUM) was dictated on 
20 July 2001, and was based on two previous physical examinations. 

 

At his 27 February 2001 Internal Medicine (IM) visit, the CI reported classic tricolor changes. He 
was in the “red phase,” with an outside temperature of 42 degrees Fahrenheit. There was 
marked erythema of the hands, with sparing of the thumbs. Pulses were diminished (one out 
of four) bilaterally. The remainder of exam was essentially normal. There was no clinical or 
laboratory evidence of a secondary etiology for the RP. The IM physician stated, “Do not feel 
medications will make a significant difference...Do not expect resolution of this problem.” The 
CI was medically separated from the Army on 27 September 2001, due to his unfitting RP 
condition. After separation, he filed a claim with the VA but failed to report for a 
Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam scheduled on 14 February 2002. The VA granted 
service-connection for the RP, but assigned a rating of 0% due to lack of current clinical 
findings. 

 

The Board carefully reviewed all evidentiary information available, and directs attention to its 
rating recommendation based on the above evidence. The Army PEB coded the RP condition as 
7117 (Raynaud’s syndrome) and rated it 10%, based on characteristic attacks occurring one to 
three times weekly. The next higher rating of 20% would require characteristic attacks 
occurring four to six times a week. The Board could not find sufficient evidence in the 
treatment record to justify the higher rating of 20%. The Board was unable to find a pathway to 
a higher rating using any other applicable VASRD code. 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 RP 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 RP condition and IAW VASRD §4.104, 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 re-characterization 
of the CI’s disability and separation determination, as follows: 

 

UNFITTING CONDITION 

VASRD CODE 

RATING 

Raynaud’s phenomenon 

7117 

10% 

COMBINED 

10% 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

Exhibit A. DD Form 294, dated 20120626, w/atchs 

Exhibit B. Service Treatment Record 

Exhibit C. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Treatment Record 

 

 

 

 

 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, DAF 

 Acting Director 

 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 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, AR20130007466 (PD201201315) 

 

 

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)