BOARD DATE: 21 May 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140006517 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 at Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) entry. As the applicant remains on the TDRL at the time of adjudication, no permanent rating was considered. 2. The SRP considered the appropriateness of changes in the MH diagnoses; physical evaluation board (PEB) fitness determination; whether the provisions of Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), section 4.129, were applicable; and a disability rating recommendation in accordance with VASRD, section 4.130. The medical evaluation board forwarded the MH diagnosis of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the PEB for adjudication. The PEB adjudicated the applicant for the diagnosis of PTSD at TDRL entry. 2. The SRP determined that no 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 MH review project terms of reference. 3. The SRP considered the rating for TDRL entry in accordance with VASRD, section 4.130. The SRP noted it was apparent that there was progression of symptoms after separation; however, the evidence supported a 30-percent rating prior to TDRL entry. 4. After due deliberation in consideration of all the evidence, the SRP did not find evidence to support a rating higher than 50 percent at TDRL entry. 5. 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) AR20140006517 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1