IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 27 October 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230003186 APPLICANT REQUESTS: retroactive payment for the Health Professions Officer Board Certification Pay (HPO BCP) at $6,000.00/year for the period of 1 July 2022 to 30 September 2022. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: • DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) • Baylor University Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, 16 May 2022 • Physical Therapist - Regular License, dated 21 October 2022, period ending 31 October 2024 • Officer Record Brief (ORB), 21 October 2022 • American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, 2022 Specialist Certification Examination in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Form 2 • Leave and Earnings Statements (LES) period covered July to December 2022 • Special Pay Statement of Understanding listing and showing required documents FACTS: 1. The applicant states he is requesting backpay for medical specialty pay from Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 for July 2022 through September 2022, for $500.00 per month or a total of $1,500.00. He qualified for specialty pay on 1 July 2022 after passing the physical therapist specialty certification exam. He began applying for specialty pay in early July. A different facility submitted a correct application in October 2022 and specialty pay was started in December 2022, with payment that month for October to December ($1,500.00 or $500.00 per month). He has been told the special pay office locally and reps at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) are unable to retrieve backpay from prior FY and he was instructed to apply to the Board. 2. A review of the applicant’s official military record shows the following: a. He enlisted as a Cadet in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) on 14 November 2013. b. On 6 May 2017, DA Form 71 (Oath of Office - Military Personnel) shows the applicant was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer and executed an oath of office. c. On 30 May 2017, Headquarters, United States Army Cadet Command (USACC) published Orders Number 150-001 which released the applicant from USACC USAR Control Group (Officer Active Duty Obligor) for educational delay under the provisions of Army Regulation (AR) 601-25 (Delay in Reporting for and Exemption from Active Duty, Initial Active Duty Training, and Reserve Forces Duty), and assigned him to the USAR Control Group, Army Reserve Personnel Center (ARPERCEN), Fort Knox, KY, effective 6 May 2017. d. On 28 August 2017, DA Form 71 shows the applicant was appointed as a Regular Army commissioned officer in the Army Medical Specialist Corps and executed an oath of office. e. DA Forms 1059 (Service School Academic Evaluation Report) show: • 8 December 2017, he achieved course standards for the Army Medical Department Basic Officer Leader Course • 10 July 2019, he exceeded course standards for Phase 1 of the U.S. Army Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy f. Orders Number 137-718 published by Headquarters, United States Army North (Fifth Army), Fort Sam Houston, TX, assigned the applicant to the Student Detachment, Fort Hood, TX, with a report date of 28 July 2019. g. On 20 August 2020, DA Form 1059 shows he successfully completed Phase II requirements for the U.S. Army Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy and was conferred the Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. h. Orders Number L241-048 published by Headquarters, III Corps and Fort Hood, assigned the applicant to the 115th Brigade Support Battalion, Fort Hood, TX, with a report date of 30 September 2020. i. His record contains a Baylor University transcript which shows he was awarded a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree on 15 August 2020. j. Orders Number 202-046 published by HRC promoted the applicant to captain, effective on with a date of rank of 1 August 2021. 3. The applicant provides: a. A copy of his Baylor University diploma which shows he was awarded a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree on 16 May 2022. b. His American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS), 2022 Specialist Certification Examination in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Form 2A which shows he passed the examination. c. A screenshot of his ABPTS certifications for Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy which shows an initial certification date of 1 July 2022 and an expiration date of 30 June 2032. d. His Physical Therapist - Regular License dated 21 October 2022, for a period ending on 31 October 2024, from the Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners. e. An ORB dated 21 October 2022, which shows a brief description of his military career such as assignment, education, personnel, personal, and training data. f. LES for the period covered from July to December 2022 which show his entitlements, deductions, allotments, and summary. The LES's are missing payments for HPO BCP. g. Special Pay Statement of Understanding listing and showing required documents for requesting HPO BCP entitlement. 4. On 16 June 2023, the Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG), Chief, Special Pay Branch, Human Resources, G-1 provided an advisory opinion for this case and stated, a review of submitted documentation, special pay and finance records show the applicant was eligible to receive the HPO BCP for the requested timeframe. As such, the applicant is eligible to receive $1,500.00. The exact arrears payment is calculated by Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Indianapolis. 5. On 30 June 2023, the applicant was provided a copy of the OTSG advisory opinion for comments or rebuttal. He did not respond. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant's contentions, the military record, regulatory guidance and supporting documentation. The Board agreed that the applicant had met all requirements for and was a Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. As his initial certification date was 1 July 2022 with an expiration date of 30 June 2032, he is eligible for payment due for the requested timeframes, the exact amount in arrears to be determined by DFAS. After due consideration of the request, the Board determined that the evidence presented sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :xx :xx :xx 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 was authorized Board Certification Pay for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 September 2022 and he be issued back pay, the exact amount of which to be determined by DFAS-IN. 12/4/2023X 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): N/A REFERENCES: 1. Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation, Volume 7A section 5.0 (BCP), subsection 5.1 (Eligibility) states to be eligible for HPO BCP a member must be serving in an Active Component or Reserve Component of a Military Service and entitled to basic pay under Title 37, United States Code (USC), section 204 or compensation pursuant to Title 37, USC, section 206; be serving on active duty or in an active Reserve status in a designated health professional specialty. Have a post-baccalaureate degree in a clinical specialty and be certified by a professional board in a designated health profession clinical specialty. Section 5.2 (Amount) states, the annual amount payable is $6,000.00, to be prorated monthly. 2. Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6000.13 (Accession and Retention Policies, Programs, and Incentives for Military Health Professions Officers (HPOs), currently in effect, states special pays for officers in a health profession are additional to any other pay or allowance to which an officer is entitled. To be eligible, an officer must sign a service agreement that specifies the amount of the bonus and method of payment, as well as the period of obligated service for the pay. The participant must have a current, valid, and unrestricted license, and must maintain all licensing, credentialing, specialty qualifications, and privilege requirements. The special pay may be terminated if the officer fails to fulfill the conditions of the agreement, or by the Secretary concerned for reasons such as a loss of privileges, court-martial conviction, or failure to maintain a current, unrestricted license. //NOTHING FOLLOWS//