IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 14 April 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150003891
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 separation determination.
2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of changes in diagnosis of the applicant's MH condition during processing through the Disability Evaluation System (DES). The evidence of the available records shows diagnoses of adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood and chronic adjustment disorder related to ongoing occupational stress were rendered during the Integrated DES processing. The diagnostic variance supported the diagnosis of adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood. The SRP agreed there were no changes in diagnoses. Therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project.
3. The SRP members agreed the diagnosis of adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood was the correct diagnosis since the applicant presented primarily with symptoms of anxiety and reported a depressed mood. The SRP also considered whether any MH conditions were unfitting for continued military service, regardless of specific diagnosis. The adjustment disorder is not a physical disability and is not ratable.
4. The applicant related his anxiety symptoms began during his first deployment in 2006; his back pain also began in 2006. He re-deployed in 2007 and did not seek MH treatment until 2009, at which time he reported significant marital conflict and back pain issues. The SRP agreed that evidence of the record reflected minimal - MH related symptoms.
5. 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 disability rating.
6. 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 Physical Evaluation Board adjudication for the applicants 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
3
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150003891
2
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140014415
The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in the diagnosis of the applicant's MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES). The SRP noted that the available records show no changes to an MH diagnosis to the applicant's possible disadvantage during the DES process. The SRP agreed with the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) determination that symptoms of depression and anxiety were present.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140011771
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. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in diagnosis of the MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES). The evidence of the available records shows the diagnosis of adjustment disorder, not otherwise...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150009961
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. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of changes in diagnosis of the MH condition during processing through the military Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). Although the applicant endorsed more symptoms at the VA than recorded in the military record, the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140014429
The PDBR SRP conducted a comprehensive review of the applicant's submissions and the FSM's records for evidence of inappropriate changes in the diagnosis of an MH condition during processing through the military disability system. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of changes in diagnosis of the FSM's MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES). The SRP concluded there was insufficient evidence to support an unfit determination for any MH...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140010712
The applicant submitted an application through the DOD Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) MH Special Review Panel (SRP). 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. In the service treatment record notes and at the VA C&P MH exam the applicant reported his main stressor during deployment was separation from...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140004230
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. After a comprehensive review of the applicants case, the SRP determined by unanimous vote that there should be no change to the physical evaluation board (PEB)s determination that an adjustment disorder was the correct diagnosis and that it was not compensable; and...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140015740
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. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in diagnosis of any MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES). No MH diagnosis was recorded in the MEB and none considered by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB).
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140010511
The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in diagnosis of the MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES). The SRPs charge with respect to MH conditions referred for review that were determined to be not unfitting by the PEB was an assessment of the appropriateness of the PEBs fitness adjudication. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded that there was insufficient...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140014506
The applicant requests a review of the military disability evaluation pertaining to a mental health (MH)) condition. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in a diagnosis of the MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES). Therefore, the diagnosis of depression and anxiety due to general medical condition was the most appropriate diagnosis at the time of medical retirement.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140013531
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. 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). The SRP acknowledged the GAD diagnosis, but there was insufficient evidence for the...