IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 January 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160018065 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ____x___ ___x____ ____x ___ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 January 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160018065 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. IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 January 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160018065 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 a 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 in order 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: 1. After a comprehensive review of the applicant’s case, the SRP determined by unanimous vote that there should be no change of the applicant’s disability and separation 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. The evidence of the available records show the diagnosis of anxiety disorder. The SRP noted the diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was listed in the non-MH Narrative Summary (NARSUM) and original Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). The NARSUM contained statements referencing neuropsychological evaluation and psychiatric evaluation as well as the diagnosed condition of anxiety disorder. The SRP considered the PTSD diagnosis referred to the initial MEB was made in error, by the nonpsychiatrist physician. The record demonstrated that the corrected MEB forwarded the diagnosis of anxiety disorder assessed by the psychiatrist as the sole MH condition. The applicant appealed the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) findings, referring to his MH condition as PTSD. The PEB indicated the correct diagnosis was anxiety disorder which was the diagnosis forwarded by the MEB and psychiatric NARSUM. The SRP concluded the applicant did not meet the inclusion criteria in the Terms of Reference of the MH Diagnosis Review Project. 3. The SRP fully acknowledged that the applicant might have met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD at some point in time; however, in the 4 years before separation, evidence supporting a PTSD diagnosis based on criteria was absent. The SRP also considered whether any MH conditions were unfitting for continued military service, regardless of specific diagnosis. The SRP noted the Mental Status Examinations in the evidence were unremarkable. The applicant was never hospitalized for MH concerns, never presented to the emergency room for MH issues, had no history of panic attacks, aggression or violence, and did not engage in suicidal behaviors. He had a Global Assessment of Functioning of 70-75, and had not received any documented form of MH treatment beyond November 2008 (more than 3 years prior to separation). He was working full-time as a manager, had no work issues as a result of his MH condition, was married and had a child. There was no legal history, and no report of domestic violence. 4. The SRP members agreed that evidence of the record reflected minimal MH related symptoms. At the time of processing through the Disability Evaluation System, no MH condition was profiled, and none was judged to fail retention standards. There was no performance based evidence from the record that any MH condition significantly interfered with satisfactory duty performance. 5. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, 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 none were subject to a disability rating. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160018065 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160018065 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2