BOARD DATE:	  24 September 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140014485 


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 (MH) 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 MH diagnosis was changed during that process.

3.  The applicant submitted an application through the Department of Defense (DOD) Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) MH 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 an MH condition during processing through the military disability system.

2.  The DOD memorandum, dated 27 February 2013, directed the Service Secretaries to conduct a review of MH diagnoses for service members completing a disability evaluation process between 11 September 2001 and 30 April 2012, 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 should be no change to the applicant's Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) entry disability determination.

2.  The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in diagnosis of the applicant's MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES).  The evidence of the available records shows the diagnoses of mood disorder not otherwise specified (NOS), anxiety disorder NOS, and bipolar II disorder were rendered during processing through the DES. 

3.  The SRP agreed there were no inappropriate changes in diagnoses and, therefore, determined that the MH diagnoses were not changed to the applicant’s possible disadvantage in the disability evaluation.  Therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project.

4.  The SRP noted that the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) adjudicated anxiety disorder NOS with bipolar II disorder as unfitting with application of Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) section 4.129 for a temporary MH rating of 50 percent.  The SRP agreed that the PEB adjudication of unfitting anxiety disorder NOS with bipolar II disorder was supported by the evidence and application of the provisions of VASRD section 4.129 was correct at TDRL entry.

5.  The SRP considered if there was evidence for a VASRD section 4.130 rating higher than 50 percent at time of placement on the TDRL.  The higher 70 percent rating is for “Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.”  

6.  After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded  that there was insufficient evidence for recommending a 70 percent TDRL entry rating and that the record in evidence best supported the 50 percent rating for TDRL entry.

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 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)                                  AR20140014485



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