RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 29 SEPTEMBER 2005 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20050000969 I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. Mr. Carl W. S. Chun Director Mr. Kenneth H. Aucock Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Mr. Lester Echols Chairperson Mr. Paul Smith Member Mr. Leonard Hassell Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. In effect, the applicant requests physical disability retirement or discharge. 2. The applicant states that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently awarded him a 60 percent service-connected disability rating. Given the nature of his disabilities, his discharge should be for medical reasons. 3. The applicant provides a copy of a 10 November 2004 letter to him from a Member of Congress, a copy of a VA rating decision, a copy of his letter to an individual regarding his medical treatment, a copy of his mother’s letter to the psychiatrist who evaluated him while he was on active duty, a copy of an order awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal, a copy of his commanding officer’s recommendation that he be separated because of personality disorder, a copy of a counseling statement, and a copy of a psychiatric evaluation. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the Army for 6 years on 25 April 2001 for training as an armor crewman, with his initial assignment thereafter to Korea. He enlisted under the Army Incentive Enlistment Program with entitlement to a cash bonus of $17,000.00. The applicant trained at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and in January 2002 was assigned to an armor unit in Korea. He returned to the United States and was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington in January 2003. He was promoted to pay grade E-4 in June 2003. 2. On 29 March 2004 orders were published awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct medal for the period 25 April 2001 to 24 April 2004. 3. On 21 April 2004 the applicant was evaluated at the Behavioral Health Clinic. The report of that evaluation indicates that his chief complaint was “Anger” and that he had a problem with “Hyperparathyroidism, calculus of kidney and uretrer.” The evaluator stated that the applicant was currently in the rear detachment of an infantry battalion being evaluated for deployment to Iraq, and that he was placed in the rear detachment last year when his unit deployed. He was pending surgery and medical tests during the last 12 months, and it appeared that he might have slipped through the system. The evaluator stated that he had seen him several times due to his frustration and anger regarding the military and medical care, and that his frustration had escalated to the point where he made non specific threats, such that he was given a profile for no weapons for 72 hours. The evaluator went on to state that he evaluated the applicant on 1 April 2004 and found him to be fit for duty and deployable; however, since that time he had become more frustrated, angry and was making threats without plan. The evaluator stated that the applicant was alert, quiet, and that his speech and language was normal. He was angry and frustrated. His thoughts were mostly about his wife and his desire to exit the military. The evaluator stated that the applicant expressed his concern that he might not be able to control his anger, but that he had no plans or intent. The evaluator stated that the applicant made threats while talking to his care manager. 4. On that same date, the applicant was evaluated by a psychiatrist, a Doctor “K,” who stated that the applicant did not have a disabling mental disorder and was responsible for his actions. He stated that his anger and threats were designed to call the attention of others to his concerns and to grant his demands. He stated that the applicant was not deployable from a mental health point of view due to a personality disorder that would only cause increased problems in a stressful overseas setting. The psychiatrist recommended that the applicant be administratively separated under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 5-13, and if he continued to make homicidal statements or threats, he should receive the appropriate incarceration and disciplinary action. 5. On 7 May 2004 the applicant’s commanding officer counseled him, informing him that he would be released from the Army because of a personality disorder. He informed the applicant that he was recommending his separation from the Army. The applicant, on 10 May 2004, signed the counseling form, agreeing with his commanding officer’s plan of action. 6. The applicant’s commanding officer initiated action to separate him for a personality disorder. He advised him that he was recommending that he receive an honorable characterization of service. 7. On 16 June 2004 the applicant consulted with counsel and stated that he had been advised of the basis for the contemplated action to separate him for a personality disorder, its effect, the rights available to him, and the effect of any action taken by him in waiving his rights. He declined to submit a statement in his own behalf. 8. On 17 June 2004 the applicant’s commanding officer recommended to the separation authority that the applicant be separated because of a personality disorder. On 7 July 2004 the separation authority approved the recommendation. The applicant was discharged at Fort Lewis on 21 July 2004 with an honorable characterization of service. 9. In an undated letter to an individual, with a notation that a copy of the letter was sent to a representative of a Member of Congress, the applicant complained of his medical treatment while in the Army, specifically the treatment by mental health officials at Madigan Army medical Center. He stated that he was treated in Korea for kidney stones, and the treatment continued after his return to the United States. He was diagnosed with colitis and hyperparathyroidism, and that it was causing the stones, depression, and could lead to further damaging conditions. He stated that after surgery he was depressed and still in pain. After leaving to see his life long friend buried, and resubmitting his request for leave, he was denied leave. As part of deployment readiness he was required to go through the mental health system. He told the doctor about his medical condition, but did not receive any treatment. The other visits with the doctor did not go well. He was passed off to Doctor “K,” who put words into his mouth telling him he was angry and was saying things because he did not get his way. He stated that he was threatened with prison time. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with gall bladder disease and underwent another surgery. He almost died from internal bleeding from the previous surgery. Shortly after his convalescent leave he was discharged. He was now branded with a personality disorder, although he was to be medically discharged in 2003; however, the paperwork was not finished because his doctor was sent to Iraq. 10. In an undated letter to Doctor “K” the applicant’s mother complained of her son’s treatment, commented on his medical conditions while in the Army, stating that hyperparathyroidism causes a personality change, and stated that the applicant was told that he had cancer. She stated that the applicant was excited about going to Iraq, and that he had dreamed of killing people. He stated that her son had said many times after the war started that he never wanted to kill anyone. She said that her son needed help, and should have been counseled. She accused the doctor of making a prejudicial statement about the applicant’s wife because she was Oriental. She stated that she could not understand why the doctor was treating people of different races in view of his statement. She stated that the applicant was angry, but the doctor was not interested in treating him but only wanted to put him out of the Army. She stated that the applicant has to be checked once a month for the rest of his life. She stated that the applicant had six months of insurance and a sign-up bonus to pay back. 11. In a 6 December 2004 rating decision, the VA awarded the applicant a 30 percent service connected disability rating for colitis and cholecystectomy residuals, indicating that since there was a likelihood of improvement, and that the assigned evaluation was not considered permanent and was subject to a future review examination; a zero percent rating for parathyroidectomy residuals, indicating at the time of the VA examination, the applicant reported no residuals from his parathyroidectomy; a zero percent rating for tinea pedis, indicating that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation; a 30 percent rating for nephrolithiasis, indicating that since there was a likelihood of improvement, the assigned evaluation was not considered permanent and was subject to a future review examination; and a 10 percent rating for epididymitis; for an overall combined rating of 60 percent. 12. Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-13 establishes policy and prescribes procedures for separating members for personality disorder (not amounting to a disability under Army Regulation 635-40), a deeply-ingrained maladaptive pattern of behavior which interferes with the individual's ability to perform. Prior counseling with a view to correcting deficiencies is mandatory. The service of a Soldier separated for a personality disorder will be characterized as honorable. 13. Title 10, United States Code, chapter 61, provides disability retirement or separation for a member who is physically unfit to perform the duties of his office, rank, grade or rating because of disability incurred while entitled to basic pay. 14. Army Regulation 635-40 establishes the Army physical disability evaluation system and sets forth policies, responsibilities, and procedures that apply in determining whether a Soldier is unfit because of physical disability to reasonably perform the duties of his office, grade, rank, or rating. It states that the mere presence of an impairment does not, of itself, justify a finding of unfitness because of physical disability. In each case, it is necessary to compare the nature and degree of physical disability present with the requirements of the duties the Soldier reasonably may be expected to perform because of his office, grade, rank, or rating. It states that the medical treatment facility commander will refer a Soldier to a medical evaluation board if it appears that the Soldier is not medically qualified to perform duty. It provides for medical evaluation boards, which are convened to document a Soldier’s medical status and duty limitations insofar as duty is affected by the Soldier’s status. A decision is made as to the Soldier’s medical qualifications for retention based on the criteria in AR 40-501, chapter 3. If the Medical Evaluation Board determines the Soldier does not meet retention standards, the board will recommend referral of the Soldier to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). 15. Physical evaluation boards are established to evaluate all cases of physical disability equitability for the Soldier and the Army. It is a fact finding board to investigate the nature, cause, degree of severity, and probable permanency of the disability of Soldiers who are referred to the board; to evaluate the physical condition of the Soldier against the physical requirements of the Soldier’s particular office, grade, rank or rating; to provide a full and fair hearing for the Soldier; and to make findings and recommendation to establish eligibility of a Soldier to be separated or retired because of physical disability. 16. Title 38, United States Code, sections 1110 and 1131, permits the VA to award compensation for a medical condition which was incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The VA, however, is not required by law to determine medical unfitness for further military service. The VA, in accordance with its own policies and regulations, awards compensation solely on the basis that a medical condition exists and that said medical condition reduces or impairs the social or industrial adaptability of the individual concerned. Consequently, due to the two concepts involved, an individual's medical condition, although not considered medically unfitting for military service at the time of processing for separation, discharge or retirement, may be sufficient to qualify the individual for VA benefits based on an evaluation by that agency. Furthermore, unlike the Army, the VA can evaluate a veteran throughout his or her lifetime, adjusting the percentage of disability based upon that agency’s examinations and findings. The Army rates only conditions determined to be physically unfitting at the time of discharge, thus compensating the individual for loss of a career; while the VA may rate any service connected impairment, including those that are detected after discharge, in order to compensate the individual for loss of civilian employability. A common misconception is that veterans can receive both a military retirement for physical unfitness and a VA disability pension. By law, a veteran can normally be compensated only once for a disability. If a veteran is receiving a VA disability pension and the ABCMR corrects the records to show that a veteran was retired for physical unfitness, the veteran would have to choose between the VA pension and military retirement. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant’s contention that he should have been discharged because of his medical condition (and compensated accordingly) is noted. Of particular note, also, is the service-connected disability ratings awarded by the VA for his medical conditions. 2. Nonetheless, there is no evidence, and the applicant has not submitted any, to show that his medical conditions caused him to be medically unfit for retention in the Army. He was not referred for processing under the Army physical disability evaluation system. The fact that the VA, in its discretion, has awarded the applicant a disability rating is a prerogative exercised within the policies of that agency. It does not, in itself, establish physical unfitness for Department of the Army purposes. 3. The applicant was discharged for a personality disorder in accordance with regulatory provisions. The applicant did not have any medically unfitting disability which required physical disability processing. Therefore, there is no basis for physical disability retirement or separation. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING __LE __ __PS ___ __LH____ 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. ______Lester Echols_______ CHAIRPERSON INDEX CASE ID AR20050000969 SUFFIX RECON YYYYMMDD DATE BOARDED 20050929 TYPE OF DISCHARGE (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) DATE OF DISCHARGE YYYYMMDD DISCHARGE AUTHORITY AR . . . . . DISCHARGE REASON BOARD DECISION DENY REVIEW AUTHORITY ISSUES 1. 108.00 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.