IN THE CASE OF
BOARD DATE: 6 August 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140011798
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 in the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) adjudication of the applicants temporary retirement determination.
2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of changes in diagnosis of the MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System. The evidence of the available records shows a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was the sole diagnosis rendered during processing of the disability evaluation. The SRP determined that the MH diagnosis was not changed to the applicants disadvantage and, therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project.
3. The SRP agreed that PEB adjudication of unfitting PTSD was supported by the evidence. The applicant appeared to have fully met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV TR diagnostic criteria for PTSD; therefore, the diagnosis of PTSD was the appropriate diagnosis, and application of the provisions of Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) section 4.129 was correct at Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) entry.
4. The SRP considered if there was evidence for a VASRD section 4.130 rating higher than 50 percent at the time of placement on the TDRL. The next higher rating requires Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood. The SRP determined that there was insufficient evidence for recommending a higher TDRL entry rating and concluded that the record in evidence best supported the 50 percent rating for TDRL entry.
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 adjudication for the applicants MH conditions at TDRL entry.
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
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140011798
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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
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