RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW 

BRANCH OF SERVICE:  ARMY  
SEPARATION DATE:  20011002 

 
NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
CASE NUMBER:  PD1201288 
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  (92A/Logistics  Management  Specialist), 
medically separated for a right foot heel condition (status post [s/p] excision of an exostosis 
calcaneus).  The residual impairments after surgery did not improve sufficiently with treatment 
to  meet  the  physical  requirements  of  her  Military  Occupational  Specialty  (MOS)  or  satisfy 
physical fitness standards.  She was issued a permanent L3 profile and referred for a Medical 
Evaluation Board (MEB).  Migraine headaches as identified in the rating chart below, was also 
identified and forwarded by the MEB as medically unacceptable.  The PEB adjudicated the s/p 
excision of an exotosis of right calcaneous condition as unfitting, rated 10% with application of 
the  US  Army  Physical  Disability  Agency  (USAPDA)  pain  policy.    Migraine  headaches  were 
determined to be not unfitting.  The CI made no appeals, and was medically separated with a 
10% disability rating.   
 
 
CI CONTENTION: The CI elaborated no specific contention in her 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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records. 
 
 
RATING COMPARISON:   
 

Service PEB – Dated 20070106 

VA 1 Mos. Post-Separation) – All Effective Date 20011003 

Code 

Rating 

Condition 

Code 

Rating 

Exam 

Condition 
S/P Excision  of an 
Exostosis Calcaneous  
Migraines 

7899-7804 

10% 

Not Unfitting 

↓No Additional MEB/PEB Entries↓ 

Combined:  10% 

* Increase to 30% effective 20090724 
 
 
ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  
 

 

R/Heel Haglund’s deformity S/P 
Excision 
 Plantar Fasciitis 
Migraine Headaches 
Low Back Strain  
Graves Disease  

5024-5271 
5299-5276 

5010-5237 

8100 

7900 

0% X 7 / Not Service-Connected x 3 

Combined:  30% 

0% 
0% 
10%* 
10% 
10% 

20010829 
20010829 
20010829 
20010829 
20010829 

 

Right Foot Heel Pain Condition.  The CI underwent surgery in March 2000 to remove a right heel 
bone spur (excision of an exostosis of the right calcaneus near insertion of Achilles tendon) due 
to  chronic  pain  preventing  performance  of  vigorous  duties.    Following  surgery  she  was  still 
unable  to  continue  the  physical  activity  required  from  an  active  service  member  (running, 
jumping, lifting).  In June 2001 she received an L3 profile and MEB was recommended.  At the 
time of the MEB NARSUM, 15 February 2001, 8 months before separation, the CI was working 
in  her  MOS  performing  the  technical  aspects  of  her  MOS  working,  but  she  could  not  wear 
combat  boots,  run,  march  or  do  facing  movements.    On  physical  exam  there  was  a  five 
centimeter hypertrophic scar lateral and parallel to the Achilles tendon on the posterior border 
of the calcaneus.  The heel was tender to palpation.  Ankle range of motion was equal right and 
left.  At the VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) examination, 29 August 2001, a month prior 
to separation, the CI reported continued heel pain.  On examination, the right Achilles tendon 
was tender to palpation (TTP) with no swelling of the region.  A healed three centimeter tender 
scar was observed.  Lower extremity strength and gait was normal.  The Board directs attention 
to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the CI condition 
10%  analogously  to  7899-7804,  painful  scar,  considering  the  residual  painful  scar.    A  higher 
rating under code 7899-7804 would be justified only by the presence of more than two scars.  
The  VA  rated  the  right  heel  Haglund’s  deformity  status  post  excision  0%  analogously  to 
tenosynovitis  and  ankle limitation  of  motion  (5024-5271).    Codes  5024-5271 used by  the VA 
rating consider limitation of motion for the ankles and based on all available evidence there is 
no impaired range of motion on either ankle. There is evidence of subjective pain with motion 
which could warrant a 10% rating under the 4.59 VASRD pain with motion policy.  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 status post-excision of an exostosis calcaneus 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 s/p 
excision of an exostosis calcaneus condition, 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 
7899-7804 
COMBINED 

10% 
10% 

UNFITTING CONDITION 
Status Post Excision  of an Exostosis Calcaneus 

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

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, DAF 
  Acting Director 
  Physical Disability Board of Review 

 
 
 

SFMR-RB 
 
 
 
 
MEMORANDUM FOR Commander, US Army Physical Disability Agency  
(TAPD-ZB / XXXXXXXXX), 2900 Crystal Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA  22202-3557 
 
SUBJECT:  Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review Recommendation 
for XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, AR20130003766 (PD201201288) 
 
 
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 
 
 
 
 

     XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 
     Deputy Assistant Secretary 
         (Army Review Boards)