IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 16 July 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150009961
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 MH condition during processing through the military Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). The SRP noted the condition of adjustment disorder was not referred to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, the evidence of the available records shows diagnoses of adjustment disorder with depressed mood and major depression were rendered during IDES processing. The diagnostic variance supported the diagnosis of adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood.
3. The SRP agreed the diagnosis of major depression was eliminated during DES processing. Therefore, the applicant met the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), defines an adjustment disorder as the development of emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor(s) occurring within three months of the onset of the stressor.
4. The SRP noted the record clearly demonstrated the presence of an identifiable stressor and multiple reported symptoms in response to that stressor. Although the applicant endorsed more symptoms at the VA than recorded in the military record, the recorded symptoms were noted to be secondary to the stressor noted above and available treatment records were consistent with an adjustment disorder diagnosis.
5. The SRP members concluded the diagnosis of adjustment disorder with depressed mood was the appropriate diagnosis at the time of separation. The SRP also considered whether any mental condition, regardless of specific diagnosis, was unfitting for continued military service. The adjustment disorder was not a physical disability and was not ratable. The SRP therefore concluded that there was insufficient evidence that any MH condition rose to the level of being unfitting at the time of medical retirement and therefore none were subject to a 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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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150009961
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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
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