BOARD DATE: 4 February 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20180002724 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Correction of her record to show she was paid Board Certification Pay (BCP) for the period 1 August – October 2017. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * University diploma, dated 2 December 2011 * License verification, dated 7 May 2017 * American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work letter, dated 10 August 2017 * American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work certification, dated 15 August 2017 * American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work letter, dated 29 August 2017 * Memorandum, Subject: Request for Health Professions Officer Board Certification Pay (HPOBCP), dated 19 October 2017 * Memorandum, Subject: Request for HPO Retention Bonus, dated 19 October 2017 FACTS: 1. The applicant states BCP was not given from her board certification on 1 August 2017. 2. A review of the applicant’s official records show the following on: a. on 14 May 2004, the applicant was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer and executed an oath of office. She remains on active duty. b. On 2 December 2011, the Master of social work was conferred upon the applicant. c. From 21 March 2014 – 30 June 2015, the applicant completed the requirements for licensure in clinical social work. d. On 10 August 2017, the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work issued the applicant a board certification with an expiration date of 31 August 2020. e. The applicant’s record is void of any requests for HPOBCP for the requested payment period. 3. The applicant provides: * License verification showing the applicant was licensed/certified as a licensed clinical social worker on 21 March 2014 and was current * American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work letter wherein the executive director congratulated the applicant for earning her board certification * American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work certification showing the applicant’s initial board certification date of 10 August 2017 * American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work letter wherein the author attests to the applicant’s initial certification dated of 10 August 2017 * Memorandum, Subject: Request for HPOBCP showing the applicant’s request for HPOBCP in the amount of $6,000.00 per year effective on 10 August 2017 * Memorandum, Subject: Request for HPO Retention Bonus showing the applicant’s request for a retention bonus effective on 10 August 2017 4. On 9 December 2019, the Office of the Surgeon General reviewed the applicant's records and rendered an advisory opinion in her case. After a thorough review, the Chief, Army Medical Department Special Pay Branch opined that: a. A review of officer submitted documentation, special pay and finance records indicates the applicant attained board certification on 10 August 2017, with an expiration of 31 August 2018. There is no documentation of a 1 August 2017 certification. On 19 October 2017, she executed an initial HPOBCP agreement effective 10 August 2017; however, finance disbursed payments effective 1 October 2017, the beginning of the new fiscal year. She is missing payment of HPOBCP 10 August 2017 to 30 September 2017 at $500.00 per month. b. Based on the officer submitted documentation, special pay and finance records, the applicant was eligible and executed an HPOBCP agreement effective 10 August 2017; however, she is missing payment for the period 10 August 2017 to 30 September 2017. She is due retroactive payment for 51-days which is approximately $850.00 prior to any adjustments or withholdings. The exact payment is determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Indiana. A copy of the complete advisory opinion has been provided to the Board for their review and consideration 5. Case Management Division noted in the Army Review Board Case Tracking System, the applicant could not be provided with a copy of this advisory opinion to give her an opportunity to respond and/or submit a rebuttal due to her not providing an address, email or phone number in her application. 6. Title 37 United States Code (USC), section 335(c) (Board Certification Incentive Pay) states the Secretary concerned may pay board certification incentive pay under this section to a Regular or Reserve Component of a uniformed service who is board certified in a designated health profession specialty or skill and is on active duty or in an active status in such designated health profession specialty or skill. Board certification pay may not exceed $6,000.00 for each 12-month period. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and evidence in the records. The Board considered the applicant’s statement, her record of service, the date of her initial board certification and two memoranda requesting incentive pay effective 10 August 2017. The Board considered the review and conclusions of the OTSG, Chief, Army Medical Department Special Pay Branch advising official. Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that the applicant was eligible to receive BCP from the date of her certification and that a correction was appropriate to address an injustice. 2. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that partial relief was warranted. ? BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : X :X :X GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected to show: - The applicant submitted a request for HPOBCP effective 10 August 2017; - That request was accepted and processed by the appropriate official, - That the applicant was paid BCP for the period 10 August – 30 September 2017 in accordance with the signed HPOBCP agreement. 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to entitlement to HPOBCP effective 1 August 2017. 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. ? REFERENCE: Title 37 USC, section 335(c) (Board Certification Incentive Pay) states the Secretary concerned may pay board certification incentive pay under this section to a Regular or Reserve Component of a uniformed service who is board certified in a designated health profession specialty or skill and is on active duty or in an active status in such designated health profession specialty or skill. Board certification pay may not exceed $6,000.00 for each 12-month period. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20180002724 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1