IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 18 June 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140007705
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 applicants 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 should be no change to the applicant's disability and retirement determination.
2. The SRP considered the appropriateness of changes in the MH diagnoses, whether the provisions of Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) section 4.129 were applicable, and whether a disability rating recommendation in accordance with VASRD section 4.130.
3. The SRP noted that no MH diagnosis was profiled, though the narrative summary mentioned a mood disorder with final diagnosis of adjustment disorder. The Disability Evaluation System physical, Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), and Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) adjudicated the anxiety diagnosis. Therefore, the applicant did meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project.
4. The SRP also noted that no specific MH diagnosis was made until the MEB, and prior to separation VA psychiatrists evaluated the applicant as he neared separation. Additionally, there was no evidence of preceding service treatment record to support the presence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or to exclude a diagnosis of adjustment disorder. The SRP agreed a preponderance of evidence was not found to support a recommendation for changing either MH diagnosis as adjudicated by the service.
5. The SRP next considered whether PTSD was fairly adjudicated as not unfitting by the service. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded there was insufficient cause to recommend any unfitting MH condition for 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 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
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140007705
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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
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