Request for informal reconsideration:
1. SM respectfully requests that this board reconsider his case. Specifically, he asserts that he is unfit for further military service and should be placed on the TDRL due to the recent fluctuation of his mental health condition.
2. Unfit For Further Military Service. SM has made every attempt to control his Bipolar Disorder so that he could remain on active duty (Encls. 1, 5, 13, 15). To accomplish this goal he minimized his symptoms, reduced treatment and medications (Encls. 1, 5, 13, 15). Expectedly, this has resulted in an increase of his symptoms, ultimately causing his therapist to recommend that he be admitted to an inpatient mental health treatment facility (Encl. 1, 6) and that he be transported by ambulance (Encl. 6). Upon being admitted to the treatment facility it was noted that he was suicidal, had a plan, rehearsed that plan and he had begun to self harm through superficial cutting. (Encl. 1). His Global Assessment of Functioning upon admittance was 30, which constitutes a severe impairment or inability to function (Encl. 1). Prior to admittance there have been concerns for the well being of other members of SM unit, due to his behavior and anger issues (Encl 16) and documented conflict within the unit that SM is unable to handle appropriately (Encl. 4, 5, 11). In addition, his Commander does not recommend retention (Encl. 3) and notes that his condition influences his abilities to perform the duties of a basic Soldier (Encl. 2). SM is not fit for further service due to the unpredictable nature of his condition and the effect that this condition has on his performance of his duties. SM attempts to continue to serve in the US Army have proven to be dangerous to SM well being and potentially to those whom he serves alongside.
3. 30% Rating Requirements Meet. In applying the VASRD General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders and the 3 February 2010 PDA Memorandum, SM meets the requirements for a 30% disability rating. The medical records and evidence in this case consistently describe symptoms such as Depression (Encls. 1, 2, 6, 10, 11, 15), Anxiety (Encls. 1, 4, 9, 13, 14, 15) Panic Attacks (1, 4, 6) and note Speech Difficulty (Encl. 7), Suicidal Ideation (1, 5, 6) and Memory Loss (Encl. 15). His commander has stated that this condition affects the Soldiers ability to perform as a basic Soldier, the treatment keeps him away from his workplace and the medication causes him to be late for duty (Encl. 2); all of which are clearly remarks on SM Work Efficiency and his Performance of Occupational Tasks.
5. Depressed Mood. SM suffers from severe depression. This is recorded in his medical records numerous times and in numerous different ways (Encls. 1, 2, 6, 10, 11, 15).
6. Anxiety/ Panic Attacks. Anxiety and Panic attacks have been a constant problem for this Soldier and a consistent concern for his therapists (Encls. 1, 4, 10, 13, 14, 15). In the past he has been prescribed medication for this condition alone (Encl. 9) and he has been formally diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (Encl. 1).
7. Chronic Sleep Impairment. Sleep impairment has been noted in this Soldiers medical history for more than a year (1, 8, 12, 15). This impairment and the side effects of the medication cause SM to have a difficult time coming to work on time, staying awake at work and concentrating on his duties during the day.
8. Memory Loss. During a recent manic episode, SM was unable to remember how to navigate the streets of Colorado Springs, a location that SM has called home for more than 18 months (Encl. 15).
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9. We request that SM be found unfit for further military service due to his mental health conditions and be rated in accordance with the VASRD, as outlined above. The point of contact is the undersigned at (719) xxx-xxxx
[FONT="]Enclosures [/FONT]
[FONT="]1.[FONT="] [/FONT][/FONT][FONT="]Penrose Hospital Records[/FONT]
[FONT="]2.[FONT="] [/FONT][/FONT][FONT="]Email Correspondence, 1LT Zenteno[/FONT]
[FONT="]3.[FONT="] [/FONT][/FONT][FONT="]Updated DA Form 7652[/FONT]
[FONT="]4 – 16. AHLTA Notes[/FONT]
** I'll include my DA 199 tomorrow for those interested.
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