IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 20 August 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140012267
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 also states that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was removed and he stills suffers from the effects of being deployed to Iraq, from sleep problems to mood swings.
4. 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 separation determination.
2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in diagnosis of the applicant's MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES) pilot program. The evidence of the available records shows the diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were rendered during DES processing.
3. The SRP agreed there was no change in diagnoses and, therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project. The SRP also considered whether the MH conditions were unfitting for continued military service, regardless of specific diagnosis. The SRP agreed that the evidence of record reflected minimal MH-related symptoms.
4. The SRP reviewed the applicants record of evidence and found that the applicant was never hospitalized psychiatrically, never reported suicidal or homicidal thoughts, never seen in the emergency room for MH concerns, and there were no reported issues of domestic violence. Additionally, there was no clinical evidence that either condition caused significant impairment in social or occupational functioning. The applicant's MH conditions were never profiled.
5. After due deliberation in consideration of the evidence, the SRP concluded that 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 service 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 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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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140012267
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