IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 28 July 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150010485 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 a 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 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 of the applicant’s disability and retirement determination. 2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in diagnosis of the MH condition during processing through the Disability Evaluation System (DES). The available records show that the diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood was the only diagnosis rendered during that process. Therefore, the SRP concluded no diagnosis was changed or eliminated to the applicant’s possible disadvantage. The SRP determined the criteria for the Terms of Reference for the MH Review Project was not met. The SRP also considered whether the MH conditions were unfitting for continued military service regardless of specific diagnosis. 3. The SRP agreed that evidence of the record reflected minimal MH related symptoms during 2009 leading into the time of the Medical Evaluation Board. The mental status examinations in the record in evidence including the Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam were normal with the exception of depressed mood and affect. There was no evidence of acute symptom exacerbation with visits to the emergency room, no report of panic attacks, active suicidality, and no hospitalizations. The applicant attributed the majority of her psychological symptoms to her physical condition that was acknowledged throughout the record and 10 months later at the Department of Veterans Affairs C&P mental examination. The commander’s functional statement did not implicate an MH issue, and there was no evidence that an MH condition interfered with the duty performance, and no MH condition was ever profiled. 4. The SRP acknowledged the C&P examiner’s assessment and diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD); however, the examiner indicated the condition was not present at the time of separation. The SRP agreed there was insufficient clinical evidence to support that Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), diagnostic criteria for MDD were fully met at any time prior to medical retirement. 5. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP therefore concluded there was insufficient evidence that any MH condition rose to the level of being unfitting at the time of separation and therefore none were subject to disability rating. 6. 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) AR20150010485 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1