BOARD DATE: 11 June 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150005364
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 correction of her military records by showing she was authorized to receive Board Certification Pay (BCP) for the months of January through August 2014 and that she be paid accordingly.
2. The applicant states she has been receiving BCP for years as a board certified physician in pediatrics and gastroenterology. As requested by the Military Personnel Division (MPD) at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, she submitted documentation of her licenses and board certification in order to receive her bonuses. She did the same in January and February 2014. However, she did not receive her BCP for the period January through August 2014. Before 18 May 2014 (the date she reached 18 years in service), she was to receive $5,000.00 per year (divided into monthly payments of $416.67 per month). After 18 May 2014, she was supposed to receive $6,000.00 per year (divided into monthly payments of $500.00/month). She is missing $3,208.34, but did receive $1,283.33 in September 2014. By her calculations, that leaves a balance due of $2,425.01. She would just like payment of the balance due, as she has been receiving the appropriate amount since October 2014. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently changed the way they document certification. This confused the lady in MPD, who repeatedly asked her for the same papers. She addressed this issue with her about 4 times during 2014. She even had her credentials department explain it to her. When she transferred from Fort Belvoir to Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), the MPD person tried to help, but could not because of the date of occurrence. She was then referred to this Board. The AAP no longer issues certificates with end dates for certification. The credentials office now has to check on-line and print the page that merely states "certified" for corroboration that she is still board certified. She has only two printed pages, from when she had to provide proof of her certification, dated in March 2014 and in Feb 2015. If there were to be a lapse in certification, the AAP webpage for certification would have specified "not certified," and she can only provide a document showing the "history of her pediatrics and gastroenterology certification" as proof. She asks that the Board accept this as proof of her continued board certification and as evidence for her reimbursement.
3. The applicant provides copies of:
* American Board of Pediatrics credentialing documents (12 pages)
* Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) Military Leave and Earnings Statements for February, September, October, and December 2014, and for January and February 2015
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant is currently serving on active duty in the rank of colonel assigned to WRAIR in Forest Glen, Maryland.
2. In the processing of this case an advisory opinion was obtained from the Chief, Army Medical Department Special Pay Branch, Office of The Surgeon General. The advisory official noted that with initial submission, renewals, and monitoring, the applicant would have been eligible to receive payment of BCP for the period 1 January 2014 to 13 July 2014, totaling approximately $2,836.00. The exact payment would be determined by DFAS utilizing a Health Professions Pay Entry Date or finance MS-Pay-Date of 19960518 for the correct pay rates. The advisory official also states:
a. A review of supporting documentation and available special pay and finance data indicates the applicant's BCP was stopped January through August 2014 and that she received only partial payment for that period even though board certification had not expired.
b. The Office of the Surgeon General has already authorized payments of BCP commencing on 14 July 2014, without expiration.
c. Requests for BCP are initiated by the applicant through her command's supporting human resource/personnel/S1 office. If board certification renewals are issued, they must also be submitted to ensure BCP continues uninterrupted.
3. On 20 May 2015, a copy of the advisory opinion was sent to the applicant for her information and to allow her the opportunity to submit comments or rebuttal. No response was received.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant contends that her military records should be corrected by showing she was authorized to receive BCP for the months of January through August 2014 and that she be paid accordingly.
2. The available evidence shows the applicant was and is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.
3. The applicant has already been granted authorization for BCP commencing 14 July 2014, without expiration.
4. The advisory opinion clearly states that the applicant was eligible to receive BCP from 1 January to 13 July 2014.
5. In view of the above, the applicant's request should be granted.
BOARD VOTE:
___X_____ ___X_____ __X__ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing the applicant was approved for Board Certification Pay and paying her
Board Certification Pay in arrears for the period 1 January 2014 through 13 July 2014, utilizing a Health Professions Pay Entry Date or Finance MS-Pay-Date of 18 May 1996, for the correct pay rate level.
__________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) AR20140002463
3
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150005364
2
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150003388
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The applicant requests, in effect, retroactive award of Board Certification Pay (BCP) for the period 1 January 2009 through 31 March 2014. The evidence of record shows the applicant was certified by the American Board of Pediatrics effective 29 November 2005.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140006218
The advisory opinion stated the applicant did not receive BCP for the period 1 January 2013 through 31 December 2013. In view of the facts in this case, the applicant is entitled to payment of BCP in arrears for the period 1 January 2013 through 31 December 2013 utilizing a Health Professions Pay Entry Date or finance Medical Services-Pay-Date of 11 June 2006, for the correct pay rate level. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140002463
The applicant states: * he is a board certified physician in the Army * he has been board certified since 2002 in general pediatrics and since 2008 in pediatric cardiology * he has not received BCP since 31 December 2009 even though he remains board certified and is in an active duty status * it appears the evidence of his board certification was lost and/or not updated 3. The advisory official states: a. a review of supporting documentation and available special pay and finance data...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140003135
The applicant requests, in effect, Non-Physician Board Certification Pay (NPBCP) for the period 1 September 2011 through 30 September 2012. The evidence shows the applicant is board certified for the period 1 September 2011 through 31 August 2016. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. showing the appropriate office timely received and processed the applicant's certification renewal through the AMEDD Special...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140018598
The applicant requests retroactive payment of Board Certification Pay (BCP) from 1 January 2009 to 30 September 2014. The applicant states his board certification does not have an expiration date and he was entitled to payment without interruption. _______ _ _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.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120009931
The applicant requests, in effect, Board Certification Pay (BCP) for the period from 1 January 2000 through 1 July 2012. The OTSG recommends she be granted BCP for the period 1 January 2000 through 30 April 2011. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. showing that the required paperwork was completed in a timely manner to entitle her to BCP for the period from 1 January 2000 to 30 April 2011 based on an...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150000039
The applicant requests retroactive payment of Board Certification Pay (BCP) for the period 1 January 2012 to 30 November 2013. The applicant provides email correspondence which shows she attempted to have her non-receipt of BCP matter resolved with the assistance of her local personnel office and the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Special Pay Branch, Office of The Surgeon General (OTSG), and was advised to seek relief by applying to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records. ...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140014042
The applicant requests retroactive payment of Board Certification Pay (BCP) for the period 30 June 2010 through 1 October 2013. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing the applicant applied for and was authorized payment of BCP for the period 30 June 2010 to 30 September 2013 utilizing an HPPED or finance MS-Pay-Date of 16 June 2005 for the correct pay-rate level. _______ _ _x______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150006635
The applicant requests to be paid Medical Officer Board Certification Pay (BCP) for the period 16 July 2009 to 31 March 2015. There was no record of submission, authorization, or payment of BCP for the revised missing period of 16 July 2009 to 31 December 2014. c. With initial submission, renewals, and monitoring, the applicant would have been eligible to receive BCP for the period 16 July 2009 to 31 December 2014. d. The exact amount of BCP to be paid would be determined by the Defense...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150008312
The applicant requests Board Certification Pay (BCP) for the period 1 January 2011 to 13 April 2014. The applicant contends that his military records should be corrected by paying him BCP for the period 1 January 2011 to 13 April 2014 because he did not realize he had not received BCP during this period due to his multiple deployments and continuous changes in his pay and promotions. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be...