RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

 
NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX                                                              BRANCH OF SERVICE:  ARMY 
CASE NUMBER:  PD1200797                                                               SEPARATION DATE:  20030612 
BOARD DATE:  20130116  
 
 
SUMMARY  OF  CASE:    Data  extracted  from  the  available  evidence  of  record  reflects  that  this 
covered individual (CI) was an active duty Soldier, SPC/E-4(74B/Information Systems Operator 
and  Analyst),  medically  separated  for  asthma.    The  CI  first  noticed  breathing  problems  after 
completing  basic  and  technical  training.    Her  asthma  did  not  improve  adequately  with 
treatment to meet the physical requirements of her Military Occupational Specialty or satisfy 
physical fitness standards.  She was issued a permanent P3 profile and referred for a Medical 
Evaluation Board (MEB).  The MEB forwarded asthma as medically unacceptable IAW AR 40-
501.  Hypercholesterolemia,  mild,  identified  in  the  rating  chart  below,  was  identified  as  not 
disqualifying and forwarded by the MEB. The Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) adjudicated the 
asthma  as  unfitting,  rated  0%,  with  application  of  the  Veterans  Affairs  Schedule  for  Rating 
Disabilities  (VASRD).    The  hypercholesterolemia was  adjudicated  as not disqualifying.    The  CI 
made no appeals, and was medically separated with a 0% disability rating. 
 
 
CI CONTENTION:  The CI states: “My rating should be changed because the decision was based 
on incorrect information.  I have highlighted areas on pgs. 2 & 3 of my decision letter because 
they conflict with the evidence I am submitting.  According to my letter I never showed up for 
my x-rays, but I have the receipt from where they billed Tricare to prove I did.  Also on pg. 3 it 
says “according to the x-rays of my hand.”  If x-rays of my hand were taken then so were my 
chest x-rays.  Also upon being discharged when I did my final breathing test, I was never given 
the  methacholine  [sic]  as  in  my  first  test  in  2000.    Of  course  the  test  showed  nothing  I  was 
standing still when I took it.  My asthma is based on exerction.  [sic] If I am just sitting there of 
course the test would come back normal.  I also have 2 receipts from Tricare explaining the x-
rays of my chest and hand.”  
 
 
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  (asthma)  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 PEB – Dated 20030206 
Condition 
Asthma 
Hypercholesterolemia, Mild 
↓No Additional MEB/PEB Entries↓ 

Rating 
Code 
6602 
0% 
Not Disqualifying 

VA (2 Mos. Pre-Separation) – All Effective Date 20030613 
Condition 
Exam 
20030402 
Asthma 
 
No VA Entry 
0% X 0 / Not Service-Connected x 1 
20030402 

Rating 
10% 
 

Code 
6602 
 

Combined:  0% 

Combined: 10% 

 
 
ANALYSIS SUMMARY:   
 
Asthma.    The  MEB  narrative  summary  (NARSUM)  notes  the  CI  first  noticed  problems  with 
breathing after completing basic training.  Spirometry was normal in May 2000; however, she 
was diagnosed with asthma based on a positive methacholine bronchoprovocation test in  
June 2000.  The MEB allergy consult 2 October 2002, and the MEB NARSUM 7 November 2002, 
recorded  the  CI  was  using  daily  inhaled  bronchodilator  and  inhaled  anti-inflammatory 
medications;  however,  she  continued  to  have  respiratory  problems  and  respiratory  distress 
with  exertion.    No  repeat  spirometry  was  performed  at  the  time  of  the  MEB.    At  the  VA 
Compensation and Pension exam performed on 2 April 2003, 2 months before separation, the 
CI reported a history of exercise induced asthma diagnosed in 2000.  At that time the CI stated 
she  was  using  Advair  and  Singulair  daily  and  Albuterol  as  needed  before  running  (about  3 
times/week).  The pulmonary exam evidence good air entry in both lungs and no respiratory 
distress.  Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were also normal (FEV1 104% predicted, and FEV1/FVC 
ratio was 95%).   
 
The Board directs attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The 
PEB rated the asthma condition based on review of the pharmacy record indicating intermittent 
use  of  medications.    The  VA  rated  the  condition  10%  also  citing  normal  spirometry  with 
intermittent use of inhalatory medication.  In its deliberations, the Board devoted 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.    The  pharmacy  medication  profile  printed  by  the  PEB  on  25  February  2003 
documented the last refill of Advair, Albuterol, and Singulair was on 5 September 2002, almost 
6 months before.  Each prescription was for a one to 2 months’ supply.  The Board concluded 
this was convincing evidence the CI was not using inhaled medication on a daily basis.  Based on 
normal spirometry and intermittent use of inhaler medication, the Board agreed with the 10% 
rating  adjudicated  by  the  VA.    After  due  deliberation,  considering  all  of  the  evidence  and 
mindful  of  VASRD §4.3 (Resolution  of  reasonable  doubt), the  Board  recommends  a  disability 
rating of 10% for the asthma condition coded 6602. 
 
 
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 
asthma condition, the Board unanimously recommends a disability rating of 10%, coded 6602 
IAW  VASRD  §4.97.    There  were  no  other  conditions  within  the  Board’s  scope  of  review  for 
consideration.   
 
 
RECOMMENDATION:  The Board recommends that the CI’s prior determination be modified as 
follows, effective as of the date of her prior medical separation:   
 

UNFITTING CONDITION 
Asthma 

 

VASRD CODE  RATING 
6602 
COMBINED 

10% 
   10% 

 
 
 
 
 
The following documentary evidence was considered: 
 
Exhibit A.  DD Form 294, dated 20120603, w/attachments 
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record 
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans’ Affairs Treatment Record 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

           xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, DAF 
           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 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, AR20130002254 (PD201200797) 
 
 
1.  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 to modify the individual’s disability rating to 10% 
without recharacterization of the individual’s separation.  This decision is final.   
 
2.  I direct that all the Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be 
corrected accordingly no later than 120 days from the date of this memorandum.    
 
3.  I request that a copy of the corrections and any related correspondence be provided 
to the individual concerned, counsel (if any), any Members of Congress who have 
shown interest, and to the Army Review Boards Agency with a copy of this 
memorandum without enclosures. 
 
 BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: 
 
 
 
 
Encl 
 
 
 
 

     xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
     Deputy Assistant Secretary 
         (Army Review Boards)