BOARD DATE: 18 February 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150018447 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 Department of Defense (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 evaluation system. 2. The DOD 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 retirement determination. 2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in diagnosis of the mental health conditions during processing through the military disability evaluation system (DES). The evidence in the available records shows the diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) were rendered during DES processing. The SRP agreed there were no changes in diagnoses. Therefore the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the Mental Health Diagnosis Review Project. 3. The SRP also considered whether any mental health conditions were unfitting for continued military service, regardless of specific diagnosis. The SRP noted the absence of a history of hospitalizations for mental health concerns, visits to the emergency room for mental health issues, absence of panic attacks, and no reports of suicidal or homicidal thoughts or ideation. The SRP acknowledged the recorded Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores that indicated moderate to serious impairment in functioning; however, both examiners (neuropsychological and psychiatrist) attributed the scores to his physical impairment conditions and the affect these conditions had on his occupational and social functioning. The applicant received minimal mental health treatment, and was not prescribed any psychotropic medications for his mental health symptoms. The only mental status exam documented in the record (Compensation and Pension (C&P)) was essentially normal. The commander’s statement did not implicate any mental health condition and none was judged to have interfered with his duty performance. The applicant had a S2 profile. However, there were no restrictions related to his mental health diagnoses. 4. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded that there was insufficient evidence that any mental health condition rose to the level of being unfitting at the time of separation and none were subject to disability rating. 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) AR20150018447 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1