BOARD DATE: 30 July 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140011045
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 disability and retirement determination.
2. The SRP reviewed the record for evidence of changes in diagnosis of the applicant's MH condition during processing through the military Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). The evidence of the available records shows the diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS) were rendered during processing through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). Anxiety disorder, NOS was referred into the IDES and remained unchanged, but the IDES Department of Veterans Affairs Compensation & Pension (VA C&P) examination rendered a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, the applicant met the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the MH Review Project.
3. The SRP reviewed the clinical documents to determine whether a diagnosis of PTSD met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 4th Edition (DSM-IV TR) diagnostic criteria. The psychiatric narrative summary (NARSUM) found no evidence that the applicant met full DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for PTSD.
4. The SRP acknowledged the PTSD diagnosis conferred proximate to deployment and again at the time of the Veterans Affairs IDES C&P examination, but there is no evidence in the clinical record to support DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for PTSD were fully met. Specifically, the applicant clearly did not meet Criterion C. Additionally, the SRP noted at the time of separation there was no evidence the applicant met Criterion C or F of DSM-IV TR diagnostic criteria. Therefore, the SRP concluded at the time of separation the applicant did not meet criteria for the diagnosis of PTSD.
5. The SRP concluded anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS) was the appropriate diagnosis at the time of separation. The SRP also considered whether the MH condition, regardless of specific diagnosis, was unfitting for continued military service. The SRP agreed that evidence reflected minimal MH-related symptoms and treatment. The SRP also concluded there was insufficient evidence that any MH condition was unfitting at the time of separation, so none were subject to service disability rating.
6. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the MH condition of anxiety disorder, NOS.
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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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140011045
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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
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