IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 14 April 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150003751 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 applicant’s 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 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 should be no change of the physical evaluation board adjudication determination for the MH conditions. 2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in diagnosis of the applicant's MH condition during processing through the Disability Evaluation System (DES). The evidence of the available records showed the diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS) were rendered. At the time of processing through the DES, no MH diagnoses were changed to the applicant’s possible disadvantage during that process. Therefore, the applicant did not appear to meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project. 3. The SRP considered whether any mental condition, regardless of specific Diagnosis, was unfitting for continued military service. The SRP agreed that evidence of the record reflected minimal, MH related symptoms. The applicant had infrequent contact with MH and no evidence of psychotropic medication use prior to Temporary Disability Retired List entry. Histories of psychiatric hospitalizations, panic attacks, and visits to the emergency room for MH symptoms were absent. The MH condition was never profiled. 4. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded that there was insufficient evidence that any mental condition rose to the level of being unfitting at the time of separation and none were subject to service disability. 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 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) AR20150003751 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1