BOARD DATE: 10 September 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140013529
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 the extent of his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was not fully addressed.
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 Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) entry disability 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. The evidence of the available records shows the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) diagnoses of anxiety disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) diagnoses of dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, and PTSD were rendered during the Integrated DES process.
3. The SRP agreed there were no inappropriate changes in diagnosis and therefore, determined that the MH diagnoses were not changed to the applicants possible disadvantage in the disability evaluation. Therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project.
4. The SRP agreed that Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) adjudication of unfitting PTSD with co-morbid anxiety disorder and dysthymic disorder was supported by the evidence and the provisions of VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) section 4.129 were appropriately applied at TDRL entry. The SRP also considered if there was evidence of a VASRD section 4.130 rating higher than 50 percent at time of placement on the TDRL. The higher 70 percent rating is for Occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas.
5. The SRP considered the record in evidence and determined that there was insufficient evidence for recommending a 70 percent TDRL entry rating and the evidence best supported the 50 percent disability rating.
6. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of evidence, the SRP concluded that there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication of the applicants TDRL rating for the MH conditions.
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) AR20140013529
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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
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