BOARD DATE:	  10 September 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140013555 


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 the separation under medical condition Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at 40 percent disability should be higher.

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 evidence of record and found the applicant's MH diagnosis was not changed during processing through the Disability Evaluation System (DES); therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Review Project. 

3.  The SRP noted that the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) determined the anxiety disorder with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was unfitting, applied Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) section 4.129, and placed the applicant on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) with a 50 percent rating.  At the time of permanent disability disposition and removal from the TDRL, the PEB rated the anxiety disorder with symptoms of PTSD at 10 percent.

4.  The SRP considered whether the evidence of record supported ratings for the unfitting MH condition at TDRL entry and TDRL exit that were higher than those adjudicated by the PEB.  The 70 percent rating requires “occupational and social impairment, with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.”  The SRP concluded that a rating higher than 50 percent at the time of TDRL entry was not supported.

5.  The SRP considered if a rating higher than the 10 percent adjudicated by the PEB was justified.  The SRP concluded that the evidence of record most accurately depicted the 10 percent rating at the time of removal from the TDRL period.   

6.  After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded that there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the anxiety with symptoms of PTSD condition.

7.  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)                                  AR20140013555



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