RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
PHYSICAL DISABILITY BOARD OF REVIEW

NAME:  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	CASE:  PD-2016-00793
BRANCH OF SERVICE:  Army 	SEPARATION DATE:  20041112

SUMMARY OF CASE:  Data extracted from the available evidence of record reflects that this covered individual (CI) was a National Guard E6, Infantryman, medically separated for “brief psychotic disorder, resolved…,” with a disability rating of 0%.

CI CONTENTION:  The CI contends the Army ruined his life, he’s suffered depression and alcoholism, and that certain medications may have caused his mental health condition.  Lastly, he contends his 0% rating.  The CI’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.  

SCOPE OF REVIEW:  The Board’s scope of review is defined in DoDI 6040.44.  It is limited to those conditions determined by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) to be unfitting for continued military service and when specifically requested by the CI, those conditions identified by the PEB, but determined to be not unfitting.  Any conditions outside the Board’s defined scope of review and any contention not requested in this application may remain eligible for future consideration by the Board for Correction of Military Records.  Furthermore, the Board’s authority is limited to assessing the fairness and accuracy of PEB rating determinations and recommending corrections, where appropriate.  The Board’s assessment of the PEB rating determinations is based on review of medical records and all available evidence for application of the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) standards to the unfitting medical condition at the time of separation.  The Board has neither the role nor the authority to compensate for post-separation progression or complications of service-connected conditions.  That role and authority is granted by Congress to the Department of Veterans Affairs, operating under a different set of laws.  The Board gives consideration to VA evidence, particularly within 12 months of separation, but only to the extent that it reasonably reflects the severity of the disability at the time of separation.  

RATING COMPARISON:  

SERVICE PEB – 20040908	VARD - 20070207	
Condition	Code	Rating	Condition	Code	Rating	Exam	
Brief Psychotic Disorder, Resolved…	9299-9210	0%	Brief Psychotic Disorder	9210	0%	20051229	

ANALYSIS SUMMARY:  

Brief Psychotic Disorder, Resolved.  According to service treatment records (STR) and the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) narrative summary (NARSUM), the CI’s psychotic disorder condition began in July 2003 when he returned home from Iraq and learned a friend was killed in a motor vehicle accident.  The 16 July 2004  NARSUM examination resulted in a diagnosis of Brief Psychotic Disorder, marked stressors with a Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) score of 90 (absent or minimal symptoms, good functioning.)  The President of the PEB issued a memo on 6 April 2004 returning the case to the PEB because it was inappropriately misplaced delaying a response.  Reconsideration was requested to determine the current diagnosis since the onset of symptoms was over 6 months.  The MEB forwarded “schizophreniform disorder, with good prognostic features…” .

At the 16 July 2004 MEB NARSUM ADDENDUM examination, 4 months prior to separation, the CI noted he was more cautious than he was before the incident that precipitated the psychosis.  He reported he was working full time in his Guard unit without incident.  He denied hospitalizations or the use of medication.  Over a 6 month period the CI was trained as a real estate agent, and planned to ask his girlfriend to marry.  He was managing finances well and was close to his family.  Mental status examination (MSE) showed no suicidal or homicidal ideation with linear and logical thought processes.  At the 29 December 2005 VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) evaluation, performed 13 months after separation, the CI reported he was working full time as a real estate agent.  He was able to perform his activities of daily living.  MSE was unremarkable and no Axis I diagnosis was rendered.  

The panel directed attention to its rating recommendation based on the above evidence.  The PEB rated the psychotic disorder condition 0%, coded analogously as 9299-9210 (psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified (atypical psychosis)), citing symptoms resolved following treatment with anti-psychotic medications and psychotherapy, and that the CI was working full time in his National Guard unit without medication or further hospitalizations.  The VA also rated the psychotic disorder condition 0% coded 9210 (psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified (atypical psychosis)), based on the VA C&P examination 13 months after separation, citing the condition was shown to have resolved.  The NARSUM ADDENDUM retained a diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder, noting the CI was functioning well both socially and occupationally.  There were no hospitalizations for nearly a year.  There was no recurrence of psychosis since the CI discontinued his medication in December 2003.  The panel agreed there was no pathway to a higher rating.  After due deliberation, considering all of the evidence and mindful of VASRD §4.3 (reasonable doubt), the panel concluded that there was insufficient cause to recommend a change in the PEB adjudication for the psychotic disorder condition.  

BOARD FINDINGS:  
In the matter of the psychotic disorder condition and IAW VASRD §4.130, the panel unanimously recommends no change in the PEB adjudication.  There were no other conditions within the panel’s scope of review for consideration.  The panel, therefore, recommends that there be no re-characterization of the CI’s disability and separation determination.  

The following documentary evidence was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 294, dated 20160914, w/atchs
Exhibit B.  Service Treatment Record
Exhibit C.  Department of Veterans Affairs Treatment Record

AR20170014160, XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX:

	The Department of Defense Physical Disability Board of Review (DoD PDBR) reviewed your application and found your separation disability rating and your separation from the Army for disability with severance pay to be accurate.  I have reviewed the Board’s recommendation and record of proceedings (copy enclosed), and I accept its recommendation.  I regret to inform you that your application to the DoD PDBR is denied.  

	This decision is final.  Recourse within the Department of Defense or the Department of the Army is exhausted; however, you have the option to seek relief by filing suit in a court of appropriate jurisdiction.

Sincerely,					      
						      					
Enclosure