IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 29 January 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130021799 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 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 mental health diagnosis was changed during that process. 3. The applicant submitted an application through the DOD Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) Mental Health 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 a mental health 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 mental health 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 applicant’s case, the SRP determined by unanimous vote that there be no change of the applicant’s disability and separation determination. 2. The SRP determined that no mental health (MH) diagnoses were changed to the applicant's possible disadvantage in the disability evaluation process. Therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project. 3. The SRP noted that the final physical evaluation board (PEB) did not specify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but indicated she was diagnosed with a “mental disorder due to a highly stressful event” which was not restricted to PTSD. 4. The PEB and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) both applied a 10-percent rating to the applicant's MH disability. At the time of separation, the applicant was taking medications which decreased her symptoms. 5. The SRP also concluded the rating criteria for the next higher 30% level required occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks, which was not evident in the record presented for review. 6. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of evidence, the SRP concluded there was insufficient evidence to support a conclusion that a highly-stressful event severe enough to bring about the applicant’s release from active military service occurred. 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 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 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130021799 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1