IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 29 January 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130021417
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 applicants 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 applicants case, the SRP determined by unanimous vote that there be no change of the applicant's disability and medical retirement determination.
2. The SRP considered whether changes in the applicants mental health (MH) diagnoses, or Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) fitness determinations had occurred and, if unfitting, whether the provisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) §4.129 were applicable, with disability rating recommendation in accordance with VASRD §4.130. As noted, the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) submitted "adjustment disorder" as medically acceptable to the PEB which adjudicated the condition as not unfitting.
3. The SRP reviewed the criteria of the Terms of Reference (TOR) applied. The SRP agreed that the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the TOR of the MH Review Project. The SRP noted that anxiety and depression were mentioned intermittently in the record but were related to the impact of decreased physical activity from medical issues or concerns about future occupation and finances.
4. The SRP unanimously agreed that a diagnosis of adjustment disorder was supported by the record in evidence and that no change in the MH diagnosis, in disadvantage to the applicant, had occurred. The MH condition was not profiled, did not result in hospitalizations, emergency room or unscheduled clinic visits for treatment, and was not judged to fail retention standards by the MEB/narrative summary (NARSUM) psychiatrist or the MEB. Additionally, there was no indication from the record that any MH condition significantly interfered with satisfactory duty performance.
5. 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 PEB fitness determination for the adjustment disorder condition.
6. The available evidence shows the SRPs 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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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130021417
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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
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