Altman v. United States

168 Ct. Cl. 312, 1964 U.S. Ct. Cl. LEXIS 171, 1964 WL 8630
CourtUnited States Court of Claims
DecidedDecember 11, 1964
DocketNo. 221-69
StatusPublished

This text of 168 Ct. Cl. 312 (Altman v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering United States Court of Claims primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Altman v. United States, 168 Ct. Cl. 312, 1964 U.S. Ct. Cl. LEXIS 171, 1964 WL 8630 (cc 1964).

Opinion

Laramore, Judge,

delivered the opinion of the court:

In this action plaintiff, the widow of Colonel Altman, who died March 19, 1962, seeks in lieu of retirement pay-based on age and length of service, disability retired pay commencing July 1, 1955. The petition was originally filed by Colonel Altman, and his widow, Florence, Altman, was [314]*314subsequently substituted as party plaintiff. For convenience, the opinion will refer to Colonel Altman as plaintiff.

The claim for entitlement to be retired for disability, as set forth in the petition, is based upon the allegation that sometime prior to June 30, 1955, plaintiff became permanently incapacitated from performing any duties of an Army officer of his grade and that the cause of such incapacity was hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease incurred in line of duty.

There is no dispute as to the facts as shown by joint exhibits stipulated for admission into evidence, and in pertinent part they are as follows:

Plaintiff had served approximately 17years on active duty in the Army when, on June 30, 1955, he was relieved from active duty by reason of reaching age 60 with at least 20 years of satisfactory Federal service. From July 1, 1955, until his death on March 19, 1962, plaintiff received retired pay under the provisions of Title III, Public Law 810, 80th Congress.

The medical service records of plaintiff describe the relevant facts as follows: The electrocardiogram taken April 4, 1955, in contemplation of plaintiff’s separation by reason of age, was reported as “Within Normal Limits.” The foregoing evaluation was reported on Standard Form 520 to which were attached the tracings of the EKG.

Plaintiff’s final-type physical examination for separation was conducted May 6, 1955. The Report of Medical Examination, recorded on Standard Form 88, reflects medical findings of blood pressure measurements of 159/96 sitting, 158/92 recumbent, and 160/96 standing. The examining physician noted that plaintiff’s heart was not enlarged, that “A2” was slightly accentuated, and that “CTR. is 13.6/31.5. There is some elongation of the aorta” and that the examinee was qualified for retirement with a Profile of 1111 3 1 and a Physical Category of “C”.

The Report of Medical History, recorded on Standard Form 89, dated May 6, 1955, reflects that plaintiff told the examining physician, Dr. Jacob Behr Shapiro, that he had not had and did not have shortness of breath, pain or pressure [315]*315in the chest, palpitation or pounding heart, or high or low blood pressure. Plaintiff also denied other ailments listed on the form, except scarlet fever, whooping cough, and eye trouble.

On May 3,1955, Dr. Shapiro had directed a request to the Heart Station, Valley Forge Army Hospital, for a cardiac consultation relating to plaintiff, stating that an EKG and ' chest plate accompanies the patient.

The cardiac consultation was undertaken, and reported by Captain Edward Hale, M. C., on Standard Form 513, dated May 9,1955, in these words:

* * * Patient had generally been asymptomatic, however, he has noted easy fatigue and mild dyspnea on exertion for several years. Patient feels drowsy in the mid-day and particularly at night. Patient is on a low degree of activity and experiences discomfort “tired” feelings after spading the garden for 45 minutes. He has occasional twinges of left apical and left arm discomfort but no real angina. These symptoms come on regardless of activity. He denies cyanosis, paraxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, edema or previous heart disease. His previous blood pressure has been 110-130 mins systolic. However, during the past year his blood pressure has been recorded as 150-180 mms systolic upon occasion. He feels he has a good deal of nervous energy but also drowsy at times. His weight has steadily been gaining to a peak of 181 lbs. at the present time. He eats two light meals and one heavy evening meal.
Physical Examination: Blood pressure 134/90 with small cuff, 130-120/80-86 with the large cuff. The patient is active, alert and obviously obese, mostly in the chest and abdominal areas. Heart tones are good, no murmurs heard, PMI is not palpable. There is slight questionable enlargement to the left. The lungs fields are dear. The abdomen is soft and obese. Extremities — several prominent anterior tibial veins. There are small lipomas simulating varicose venous pools of the lower extremities. Posterior tibial arteries are quite palpable. Fundu-scopic examination is normal. Fluoroscopic examination reveals a normal size heart and configuration to all chambers. Barium swallow is normal. Aortic knob is prominent without calcification. There is no uncoiling of the arota [sic]. X-ray conforms above findings, how[316]*316ever, it reveals a slight more prominence of the left ventricle probably due to incomplete deep inspiration. EKG is normal one week ago and at the present time.
Diagnostic Impression:
1. No clinical cardiovascular disease.
2. Obesity, simple, exogenous.
Therapy:
1. A thousand calorie diet low in fat content.
2. [Regulative exercise.
3. Patient is qualified for longevity separation.

Prior to June 30,1955, the effective date of plaintiff’s separation, his service medical records, as reflected by the foregoing Standard Forms 520, 88, 89 and 513, were forwarded by the Adjutant General to the Surgeon General for review for the purpose of determining plaintiff’s physical qualification for separation. On 'May 27,1955, the Surgeon General found plaintiff physically qualified for separation by reason of age.

On August 19,1957, following plaintiff’s application to the Army Board for Correction of Military [Records for retirement for disability, the Correction Board forwarded plaintiff’s medical records to the 'Surgeon General, together with plaintiff’s application and attachments, for comment and opinion. The Adjutant General asked for detailed comment and opinion as to whether the evidence of record is sufficient to have warranted plaintiff’s retirement on June 30,1955, by reason of physical disability, under the laws, rules, regulations and policies in effect at that time. The Surgeon General’s response, dated September 11,1957, was as follow's:

1. Records in the case of Julius Altman, 0-166805, have been carefully reviewed in this office.
2. Report of physical examination performed at time of retirement, including a careful cardiac consultation, indicates clearly that applicant’s physical condition at that time was such as to qualify him for further military service under the standards current at that time. It is pointed out that blood pressure measurements were performed at least six (6) times during the examination, as well as funduscopic and electrocardiographic evaluations and all were found to be well within normal limits.
3. It is the opinion of this office that the record fails to indicate evidence which would have warranted separa[317]*317tion on a medical basis under the laws, rules, regulations, and policies in effect at that time.

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168 Ct. Cl. 312, 1964 U.S. Ct. Cl. LEXIS 171, 1964 WL 8630, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/altman-v-united-states-cc-1964.