IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE:	    29 January 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20130020160 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests a review of the military disability evaluation pertaining to a mental health condition.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, the case file should be reviewed in accordance with the Secretary of Defense directive for a comprehensive review of members who were referred for a disability evaluation between 11 September 2001 and 
30 April 2012 and whose mental health diagnosis was changed during that process.

3.  The applicant submitted an application through the DOD Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) Mental Health Special Review Panel (SRP).

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The PDBR SRP conducted a comprehensive review of the applicant’s submissions and records for evidence of inappropriate changes in the diagnosis of a mental health condition during processing through the military disability system.

2.  The Department of Defense memorandum, dated 27 February 2013, directed the Service Secretaries to conduct a review of mental health diagnoses for service members completing a disability evaluation process between 11 September 2001 and 30 April 2012 in order to determine if service members were disadvantaged by a changed diagnosis over the course of their physical disability process.
3.  In the processing of this case, an advisory opinion was obtained from the PDBR SRP and the applicant was provided a copy.

4.  The applicant did not respond to the advisory opinion.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  After a comprehensive review of the applicant’s case, the SRP determined by unanimous vote that there be no change to her disability and separation determination.

2.  The SRP considered the appropriateness of changes in mental health (MH) diagnoses, Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) fitness determination; and if unfitting, whether the provisions of Veterans Affair Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) §4.129 were applicable, and a disability rating recommendation in accordance with VASRD §4.130.

3.  The SRP addressed the question of diagnosis, noting the diagnostic variance between the Service findings of major depression, single episode, in remission; and the VA Compensation and Pension exam diagnosis of dysthymic disorder versus MDD, recurrent.

4.  The SRP reviewed the records for evidence and determined the mental health diagnoses was not changed during the Disability Evaluation System (DES) process; thus determined that no mental health diagnoses were changed to the applicant's possible disadvantage in the disability evaluation process.  Therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the Mental Health Review Project.

5.  The SRP determined there was no indication from the applicant’s record that the mental health condition significantly interfered with satisfactory duty performance.

6.  After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded that there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) adjudication of the applicant’s mental health conditions.

7.  The available evidence shows the SRP’s assessment should be accepted.


BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X___  ___X____  ___X____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      _________X_____________
       	   CHAIRPERSON	
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20040003532



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                  AR20130020160



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