IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 March 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002720 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 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 separation determination. 2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of changes in diagnoses of the MH condition during processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES). The evidence of the available records show the diagnosis of adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety with “historic” (histrionic) and borderline (personality) traits as the only diagnosis rendered during DES processing. The SRP agreed there were no changes in diagnoses during this process. Therefore, the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Diagnosis Review Project. 3. The SRP also considered whether any MH condition was unfitting for continued military service, regardless of specific diagnosis. The SRP agreed that the evidence of record reflected minimal MH related symptoms during 2006 leading to the time of the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). There was no evidence of acute symptom exacerbation with visits to the emergency room and no hospitalizations in the 2 years leading up to separation. Although medication was prescribed, the MH provider indicated it was not needed on a daily basis. The commander did not implicate an MH issue and noted that she was "well-motivated, dedicated, and a resourceful Soldier and an excellent leader." The record noted absence of a profile for any MH condition. 4. The SRP acknowledged the Compensation & Pension examiner’s assessment and diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, there was no clinical evidence to support that DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were met at the time of separation since there was no clear evidence in the service treatment record to support the applicant met Criterion A or C for a PTSD diagnosis. The SRP also noted that the PTSD diagnosed at the C&P exam was not the treatment focus in any of the available MH treatment records. 5. 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 service disability rating. 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 Physical Evaluation Board adjudication of the applicant’s MH conditions. 6. 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 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160002720 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1