RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

BRANCH OF SERVICE:  ARMY 
SEPARATION DATE:  20080404 

 
NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
CASE NUMBER:  PD1201218 
BOARD DATE:  20130118 
 
 
SUMMARY  OF  CASE:    Data  extracted  from  the  available  evidence  of  record  reflects  that  this 
covered individual (CI) was an active duty SPC/E-4 (11B/Infantryman), medically separated for 
right shoulder pain.  The CI began experiencing right shoulder pain after he was thrown away 
from a blast due to an role-playing game (RPG) that hit the back of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle.  
The CI’s 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 U3 profile and referred for a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB).  The MEB forwarded 
osteoarthrosis right shoulder condition for Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) adjudication.  The 
MEB also forwarded anxiety; hypermobility syndrome; bunion, right foot; fractured mandible; 
and sprained wrist, right conditions to the PEB.  However, all these conditions met retention 
standards.  The PEB adjudicated the right shoulder pain condition as unfitting, rated 10%, with 
application of the Veteran’s Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD).  The CI made no 
appeals, and was medically separated with a 10% disability rating. 
 
 
CI CONTENTION:  The CI elaborated no specific contention in his application. 
 
 
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 service Board for Correction of Military Records. 
 
 
RATING COMPARISON:   
 

*Additional conditions added and overall combined rating increased to 60% effective 20091110 (see 20110427 DROD) 
 
 

 

Service Revised PEB – Dated 20080426 
Condition 

Code 

Right Shoulder Pain 

5099-5003 

Rating 
10% 

↓No Additional MEB/PEB Entries↓ 

Combined:  10% 

VA (1 Mo. Post-Separation) – All Effective Date 20080405 

Condition 

Rt Shoulder Impingement Syndrome 
Residuals, Bunionectomy, Right Foot 

Code 
5203 
5280 
0% X 4 / Not Service-Connected x 1 

Rating 
10% 
10% 

Exam 

20080509 
20080509 
20080509 

Combined:  20%* 

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:   
 
Right  (Dominant)  Shoulder  Pain  Condition.    There  were  two  goniometric  range-of-motion 
(ROM)  evaluations  in  evidence,  with  documentation  of  additional  ratable  criteria,  which  the 
Board weighed in arriving at its rating recommendation; as summarized in the chart below.   
 

Right Shoulder ROM 

MEB ~7 Mos. Pre-Sep 

VA C&P ~1 Mo. Post-Sep 

(Degrees) 

Flexion (180 normal) 

Abduction (180) 

(20070917)  

180 
180 

Comments 

Pain 

(20080509)  

180 
180 
+ Apprehension test. 
+ Impingement signs. 
+ Painful motion 

§4.71a Rating 

10% 

10% 

 
The MEB narrative summary (NARSUM), completed 7 months prior to separation, notes the CI 
had  a  right  shoulder  injury  in  September  2004  while  deployed  to  Iraq.    He  experienced 
continuing pain with wearing full gear, but finished his deployment.  Physical therapy (PT) and 
injections  were  not  effective.    Surgical  consultation  did  not  provide  a  surgical  option.    He 
reported pain throughout 75% of the day, precipitated by running more than a mile and lifting 
more than 15 pounds.  Physical exam found no abnormalities and ROM with pain noted in the 
chart.  The NARSUM also noted an orthopedic consultation diagnosing a genetic hyper mobility 
syndrome.    At  the  VA  Compensation  and  Pension  (C&P)  exam,  performed  a  month  after 
separation,  the  CI  reported  a  progressively  worse  shoulder  condition.    Examination  revealed 
increased  pain  after  three  repetitive  normal  ROM  summarized  in  chart  above,  and  positive 
apprehension and impingement tests.   
 
The Board directs attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The 
Board agreed a 10% rating for painful motion or functional impairment was supported by the 
evidence of the record.  The right shoulder ROM in both examinations was non-compensable 
under the code for limitation of arm motion (5201).  There was no clinical and/or radiologic 
evidence  that  suggested  ankylosis,  loss  of  the  humeral  head,  nonunion,  malunion,  fibrous 
union,  deformity,  nonunion  or  dislocation  of  the  scapula,  or  recurrent  dislocations  of  the 
humerus  that  would  have  justified  any  alternate  shoulder  code  with  higher  rating  potential.  
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 right (dominant) shoulder 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.    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 right (dominant) shoulder pain 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:   
 
 

VASRD CODE  RATING 
5099-5003 
COMBINED 

10% 
10% 

           XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, DAF 
           Acting Director 
           Physical Disability Board of Review 

Right (Dominant) Shoulder Pain 

UNFITTING CONDITION 

 
 
The following documentary evidence was considered: 
 
Exhibit A.  DD Form 294, dated 20120710, w/atchs 
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record 
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans’ Affairs Treatment Record 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 

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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, AR20130003770 (PD201201218) 
 
 
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 
 
 
 

     XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
     Deputy Assistant Secretary 
         (Army Review Boards)