IN THE CASE OF:  	  

		BOARD DATE:  5 January 2016	  

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20150018514 


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 also states that her depression was not in remission at the time of her separation and requests the MH condition post-traumatic stress disorder be added to her medical retirement, in effect, her physical evaluation board findings.

4.  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 retirement determination.

2.  The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of inappropriate changes in diagnosis of the MH condition during processing through the military disability evaluation system (DES).  Major depression disorder was the only diagnosis rendered during the DES process.  The SRP agreed that there were no inappropriate changes in diagnosis while processing through the disability evaluation system.  Therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Special Review Project.

3.   The SRP agreed that evidence of record reflected minimal MH related symptoms at the time of separation.  The applicant was never hospitalized for psychiatric conditions, never reported suicidal or homicidal thoughts, was never seen in the emergency room for MH concerns, and there was no reported history of domestic violence.  The commander’s statement did not implicate an MH condition as an impairment to her duty performance.  The SRP concluded that there was insufficient evidence that any MH condition rose to the level of being unfitting at the time of separation and therefore, none were subject to a disability rating.

4.  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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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                  AR20150018514



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