BOARD DATE: 15 October 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140015804 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 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 should be no change of the applicant’s fitness determination. 2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in the diagnosis of any MH condition during processing through the military disability evaluation system (DES). 3. The evidence of the available records show the diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was recorded in the medical evaluation board (MEB) physical examination without reference to symptoms. The record in evidence noted specifically that the diagnostic criteria was not met for PTSD or any other MH diagnosis. No diagnosis was recorded in the MEB and none considered by the physical evaluation board (PEB). The applicant was found Fit for Duty (FFD) and concurred with that determination. The applicant had a remote history of PTSD recorded while in Germany; however, there was insufficient evidence the diagnosis was warranted beyond the time in Germany. The SRP therefore concluded that the diagnosis of PTSD was eliminated during processing through the DES and the applicant did appear to meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project. 4. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded there was no unfitting MH condition at any time prior to and at the time of retirement 5. 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 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140015804 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1