IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 7 July 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150008605
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 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 applicants submissions and records for evidence of inappropriate changes in the diagnosis of a MH condition during processing through the military disability system.
2. The Department of Defense 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 in order 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 applicants case, the SRP determined by unanimous vote that there be no change of the applicants disability and medical retirement determination.
2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in
diagnosis of the MH condition during processing through the Disability Evaluation System (DES). A diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) was the only diagnosis rendered during the DES process. The SRP agreed there were no inappropriate changes in diagnosis and therefore determined that the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project.
3. The SRP considered whether any mental condition, regardless of diagnosis, was unfitting for continued military service. The SRP agreed that the evidence of the record reflected non-limiting MH symptoms in the period of time leading into placement on Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL). Although the applicant required psychiatric hospitalization for homicidal thinking over a year prior to TDRL, soon afterward the condition stabilized sufficiently to allow discontinuation of psychiatric care. A minor symptom exacerbation 2 months prior to TDRL placement responded rapidly to intervention. There was no evidence that the condition caused significant impairment in social or occupational functioning. Although an S2 profile was assigned, the profiling psychiatrist noted that the depression was not disqualifying for military duty.
4. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded that the MH condition was not unfitting at the time of placement on TDRL and not subject to disability rating.
5. The available evidence shows the SRPs 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 that 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) AR20150008605
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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
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