BOARD DATE: 1 June 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170006913 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 BOARD DATE: 1 June 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170006913 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. BOARD DATE: 1 June 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170006913 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 service 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 recommended by unanimous vote that there be no change of the applicant’s disability and separation determination. 2. The SRP reviewed the records for evidence of changes in diagnosis of the MH condition during processing through the military Integrated Disability Evaluation System. The available records show the diagnosis of adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood as the only diagnosis rendered during Disability Evaluation System processing. The SRP agreed there were no changes in diagnoses. 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 the MH conditions were unfitting for continued military service, regardless of specific diagnosis. The SRP first acknowledged that in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 1332.38, adjustment disorder was not a physical disability and was not ratable. The SRP agreed the evidence of record reflected minimal MH related symptoms leading into Medical Evaluation Board processing. All of the mental evaluation examinations in evidence, including the Compensation and Pension examination, were essentially normal. 4. The SRP noted that there was no evidence of acute symptom exacerbation with visits to the emergency room and no hospitalizations. No MH condition was profiled, and none was implicated in the commander statement, nor judged to fail retention standards. The SRP therefore concluded there was insufficient evidence that any MH condition rose to the level of being unfitting (or overcoming the presumption of fitness rule) at the time of separation and none were subject to a service disability rating. 5. After due deliberation in consideration of the preponderance of the evidence, the SRP concluded there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the Physical Evaluation Board adjudication for the applicant’s MH conditions. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170006913 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170006913 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2