IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 January 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150009837 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 retroactive award of Board Certification Pay (BCP) from 7 October 2013 to 27 January 2015. 2. The applicant states: a. She has been an American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certified physician since 7 October 2013. Although she sent a letter confirming her board certification to the appropriate person at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), it was not added to her record until 28 January 2015. b. She started to receive BCP in February 2015. When she requested a correction with the WRNMMC they told her to go to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR). c. This correction is not only important due to the back pay she is owed, but also because when her official record is reviewed, it needs to show that she took and passed her board certification examination on time. 3. The applicant provides her: * ABIM Board Certification letter dated 7 October 2013 * ABIM Board Certificate CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. A DA Form 71 (Oath of Office) shows that on 10 June 2006, she was appointed in the Regular Army as a second lieutenant (2LT)/O1E in the Medical Service Corps. She is currently serving on active duty as a physician in the rank/grade of captain (CPT)/O-3. 2. The applicant provides documentation from the ABIM showing that she passed the ABIM examination and was granted board certification on 7 October 2013. 3. In the processing of this case an advisory opinion was obtained from the Chief, Army Medical Department Special Pay Branch, Office of The Surgeon General (OTSG). The advisory opinion stated: a. A review of supporting documentation and available special pay and finance data indicated that upon notification that BCP was not being paid, this office authorized retroactive payments for BCP commencing 28 January 2015, with a current expiration of 31 December 2025. There is no record of submission, authorization, or payment of BCP for the missing period of 7 October 2013 through 27 January 2015. b. With submission, renewals, and monitoring, she would have been eligible to receive BCP for the missing 16-month period of 7 October 2013 through 27 January 2015, totaling approximately $3,270.00. The exact payment would be determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), IN, utilizing a Health Professions Pay Entry Date (HPPED) or finance Medical Service (MS)-Pay Date of 7 June 2010 for the correct pay rates. c. In accordance with Army Regulation 37-104-4 (Military Pay and Allowances Policy) dated 8 June 2005, chapter 20 (Settlement Actions Resulting from Correction of Records by the ABCMR), only the Director, DFAS-IN may make settlements actions affecting the military pay accounts of Soldiers as a result of correction of records by the ABCMR per provisions of Army Regulation 15-185 (ABCMR). Therefore, any ABCMR relief granted should be addressed for action to the Corrections-Claims Section, DFAS-IN. 4. On 22 October 2015, the advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant for acknowledgement/rebuttal. She responded on 3 November 2015 requesting a point of contact for DFAS-IN. She may contact DFAS at the following address: DFAS, Indianapolis Center, Attn: DFAS-IN, 8899 E. 56th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46429-2301. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence of record shows the applicant was certified by the ABIM effective 7 October 2013. Further, the advisory opinion rendered by OTSG shows she was fully qualified and eligible for BCP during the period in question. 2. DFAS-IN has already paid the applicant for BCP from 28 January 2015 to present. 3. In view of the foregoing, she should be paid retroactive BCP for the period 7 October 2013 to 27 January 2015. BOARD VOTE: ____X____ ___X_____ ___X_____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing the applicant applied for and was authorized retroactive payment of BCP for the period 7 October 2013 through 27 January 2015 and paying her retroactive BCP as a result of this correction. _______ _ _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) AR20150003388 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150009837 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1