50 Fed. Cl. 674 | Fed. Cl. | 2001
OPINION
This military pay disability retirement claim is now before the Court on the defendant’s motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, or in the alternative, Judgment Upon the Administrative Record. The plaintiff opposes the defendant’s motion to dismiss and has cross-moved for Judgment Upon the Administrative Record. The defendant contends that since more than six years have elapsed since the accrual of the plaintiffs claim, the general statute of limitations, 28 U.S.C. § 2501 (1994), bars suit in this Court.
The plaintiff claims that the Army Board for the Correction of Military Records (“ABCMR” or “Board”) improperly denied his application to convert his disability discharge to a disability retirement and seeks retroactive retirement pay in conjunction with other collateral relief. For the reasons set forth herein, the defendant’s motion to dismiss is granted, and the Complaint is to be dismissed. Even assuming this Court did have jurisdiction over the plaintiffs claim, the defendant would still be entitled to Judgment Upon the Administrative Record in this matter.
Facts
The plaintiff in this case enlisted in the United States Army Delayed Entry Program on October 20, 1986 and entered active duty on November 7, 1986.
From August 29, 1990, to March 21, 1991, the plaintiff served in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm where he fought honorably in combat operations against Iraqi armed forces as a member of the 24th Infantry Division. He served as his platoon’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Specialist and was an infantry squad leader. During the Gulf War, the plaintiff took pyri-dostigmine bromide tables (an anti-nerve agent medication) for protection against potential chemical weapon attacks. The plaintiff states that, after taking these tablets, his lips became swollen, he developed a bumpy red rash and became increasingly nervous. He states that he also developed diarrhea and headaches, and he complains of tinnitus which he believes was a result of acoustic trauma induced by gunfire, grenade explosions, and a head injury that he suffered
After Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the plaintiff was reassigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, and states that while he was at Fort Stewart, he suffered from continuing illnesses such as rashes, headaches, diarrhea, nightmares, jaundice, fevers, swelling, and stomach problems. While at Fort Stewart, the plaintiff was selected to attend the Non-Commissioned Officers Basic Course, but he failed the program allegedly because he was unable to concentrate.
On March 1, 1993, the plaintiff was assigned to Camp Hovey, South Korea, and shortly after arriving, he received medical treatment for a severe rash and urticaria from March 26,1993, to March 31,1993. His attending physician noted that the “[pjatient is getting extremely frustrated.” AR at 107. The plaintiff’s Korean tour was curtailed on or about May 3,1993, when he was medically evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (“WRAMC”) in Washington, D.C., for treatment and evaluation of his urticaria.
The attending physician at WRAMC, Dr. (Colonel) Edward N. Squire, noted that the plaintiff had previously complained of the onset of recurrent rashes in August 1990, during the Gulf War. After a thorough examination, testing and evaluation, Dr. Squire diagnosed Mr. Myers with chronic urticaria and recommended a treatment regimen and a Medical Evaluation Board (“MEB”) if the plaintiff’s condition did not improve. From July 20, 1993, to July 23, 1993, the plaintiff was also evaluated by the audiology clinic for possible tinnitus. The audiology report indicated that the plaintiffs hearing sensitivity was basically within normal limits, his speech understanding ability was excellent, and it contained no supporting diagnosis of tinnitus. AR at 108-10,179-81.
On July 27, 1993, an MEB at WRAMC found that Mr. Myers did not meet medical retention standards due to chronic severe angioedema and urticaria and chronic allergic rhinitis. The MEB considered Mr. Myers’ complete medical history, including the narrative summary of his treatment at WRAMC, and x-rays taken on May 20, 1993,
On August 11, 1993, an Army PEB found Mr. Myers physically unfit under the Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (“VASRD”) Code 7118 as a result of chronic angioedema and urticaria but determined that his chronic rhinitis was not “unfitting” for further service and, therefore, not ratable. The PEB recommended his separation from the Army with a disability rating of 20 percent and severance pay. AR at 4,182.
On August 16, 1993, after being counseled regarding the findings and recommendations of the PEB, Mr. Myers agreed in writing to the PEB’s findings and recommendations and waived a formal hearing.
After his discharge from the Army, the plaintiff complains that he could not obtain civilian employment as a result of the medications he was taking and that he had a difficult time adjusting to civilian life. He was hospitalized for a probable attaek of meningitis in April 1994. He stated that he grew seriously depressed after his girlfriend allegedly told him that she was pregnant and that she intended to have an abortion because of her concerns about his health.
Mr. Myers also began to have other problems. In October 1993, he was stabbed in a bar fight and then later arrested on July 14, 1994, for a series of some nine armed bank robberies across New Jersey, Missouri, and Tennessee; use of a firearm in a crime of violence; carjacking; and transportation for illegal sexual activity.
On September 28,1998, five years after his discharge, the plaintiff petitioned the ABCMR to convert his disability discharge into a disability retirement,
On November 17, 1999, after considering Mr. Myers’ application for relief, his military records, the previous evaluations, recommendations and findings of both his MEB and PEB, and the additional supplemental documentation that he submitted, inter alia, the ABCMR issued its initial decision denying the requested relief. AR at 2-5. After summarizing the evidence in Mr. Myers’ case, the ABCMR stated:
In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.
AR at 5; see 32 C.F.R. § 581.3(b)(4)(iv) (2000). On January 13, 2000, Mr. Myers filed a request for reconsideration with the ABCMR consisting of a new applicant statement and eleven exhibits, which he later supplemented on January 25, 2000, and March 17, 2000.
The ABCMR, in its reconsideration of the case, specifically reviewed and considered the supplemental statements from Dr. Radford and Dr. Squire, who were both members of the plaintiffs MEB. Dr. Radford’s memorandum indicated that Mr. Myers was under “emotional distress” at the time of his MEB evaluation, and Dr. Squire wrote his own undated note on the subject memo stating that he was at fault for failing to obtain a psychiatric consult at the time of the plaintiffs MEB.
The plaintiff also forwarded a letter from a psychiatrist, Dr. Robert Algaier, dated April 21, 1999, diagnosing Mr. Myers with PTSD retroactive to 1991, plus a copy of his earlier Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis by prison medical staff. He also included a letter that Dr. Squire sent to the YA, dated July 15, 1999, regarding the plaintiffs onset of tinnitus.
On August 15, 2000, the ABCMR, in a very detañed seven page Memorandum of Consideration, denied the plaintiffs petition. The memorandum specifieafiy addressed each significant issue and submission offered by the plaintiff, and it also incorporated the Board’s initial November 17, 1999 decision by reference. After reviewing the case in its entirety, the ABCMR specifieafiy found that “[t]he overall merits of the case, including the latest submissions and arguments [were] insufficient as a basis for the Board to reverse its previous decision * * * there [was] no basis for granting the applicant’s request.” AR at 292. Mr. Myers filed-his Complaint in this Court on May 25, 2000.
Discussion
The plaintiff contends that the ABCMR improperly denied his request to convert his disability discharge into a medical retirement as a result of the Army’s faüure to rate him for tinnitus, Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, and other aBegedly undiagnosed disabling conditions. He seeks retroactive dis-abfiity retirement pay from the date of his discharge, in addition to related collateral relief.
The defendant maintains, however, that the ABCMR’s decision was based upon substantial evidence and moves to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, or in the alternative, for judgment upon the administrative record.
As indicated above, the defendant contends that the plaintiffs claim is time barred and has filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under Rules of United States Court of Federal Claims (“RCFC”) 12(b)(1), which the plaintiff opposes.
As a threshold matter, when determining whether or not the Court has jurisdiction, the Court must accept as true any undisputed factual allegations made by the nonmoving party and draw all reasonable inferences in a light most favorable to the plaintiff. Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232, 236, 94 S.Ct. 1683, 40 L.Ed.2d 90 (1974); Reynolds v. Army & Air Force Exch. Serv., 846 F.2d 746, 747 (Fed.Cir.1988); Hamlet v. United States, 873 F.2d 1414, 1416 (Fed.Cir.1989). If the undisputed facts reveal any possible basis upon which the nonmoving party might prevail, the Court must deny the motion. Scheuer, 416 U.S. at 236, 94 S.Ct. 1683; W.R. Cooper Gen. Contractor, Inc. v. United States, 843 F.2d 1362, 1364 (Fed.Cir.1988). When considering a motion to dismiss, the Court may consider all relevant evidence in order to resolve any disputes as to the truth of the jurisdictional facts alleged in the Complaint. Reynolds, 846 F.2d at 747; Maniere v. United States, 31 Fed.Cl. 410, 413 (1994).
The plaintiff bears the burden of establishing the Court’s jurisdiction when the issue has been raised in the context of a dispositive motion. McNutt v. General Motors Acceptance Corp., 298 U.S. 178, 189, 56 S.Ct. 780, 80 L.Ed. 1135 (1936). See also Sanders v. United States, 252 F.3d 1329, 1333 (Fed.Cir.2001); Alder Terrace, Inc. v. United States, 161 F.3d 1372, 1377 (Fed.Cir.1998); Cedars-Sinai Med. Ctr. v. Watkins, 11 F.3d 1573, 1583-84 (Fed.Cir.1993), cert. denied, 512 U.S. 1235, 114 S.Ct. 2738, 129 L.Ed.2d 859 (1994); Reynolds, 846 F.2d at 748; Rocovich v. United States, 933 F.2d 991, 993 (Fed.Cir.1991). The Court should not grant a motion to dismiss “unless it appears beyond doubt that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of his claim which would entitle him to relief.” Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 45-46, 78 S.Ct. 99, 2 L.Ed.2d 80 (1957) (footnote omitted); Hamlet, 873 F.2d at 1416.
The nonmoving party bears the burden of establishing jurisdiction by a preponderance of the evidence in a dispute over subject matter jurisdiction. Alder, 161 F.3d at 1377; Reynolds, 846 F.2d at 748. See also McNutt, 298 U.S. at 189, 56 S.Ct. 780. Only contested facts relevant to subject matter jurisdiction must be decided by the court. Reynolds, 846 F.2d at 747. When considering a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the Court may examine relevant evidence in order to resolve any factual disputes. See Moyer v. United States, 190 F.3d 1314, 1318 (Fed.Cir.1999); RHI Holdings, Inc. v. United States, 142 F.3d 1459, 1461 (Fed.Cir.1998); Rocovich, 933 F.2d at 993; Cedars-Sinai, 11 F.3d at 1583-84; Indium Corp. v. Semi-Alloys, Inc., 781 F.2d 879, 884 (Fed.Cir.1985), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 820, 107 S.Ct. 84, 93 L.Ed.2d 37 (1986). The Court will consider all the jurisdictional evidence presented to determine whether or not the plaintiff has satisfied his burden to show that his claim is not barred by the statute of limitations. Thus, in deciding on the defendant’s motion to dismiss, the Court may look to the Complaint, subsequent motions, and the AR.
II. Judgment upon the administrative record
A motion for judgment upon the administrative record is measured by the same standards as a motion for summary judgment. Nickerson v. United States, 35 Fed.Cl. 581, 588 (1996), aff'd, 113 F.3d 1255 (Fed.Cir.1997) (table); RCFC 56.1. Judgment upon the administrative record is properly granted
The plaintiff claims that whether or not the ABCMR’s disability determination was supported by substantial evidence is a material fact in dispute, because the Board allegedly failed to consider all of the relevant evidence in his case. Sufficiency of evidence, however, is a question of law, and the matter is therefore otherwise appropriate for disposition on the defendant’s motion. See Kir-win v. United States, 23 Cl.Ct. 497, 503 (1991). The Court finds that the plaintiff has failed to allege any new evidence that would have changed the ABCMR’s prior assessments, because all of the plaintiff’s essential submissions have been previously considered by the Board. Accordingly, since a “de novo hearing in this court would merely be an unnecessary duplication of the Correction Board’s hearing, the case is ripe for disposition by summary judgment.” de Cicco v. United States, 230 Ct.Cl. 224, 230, 677 F.2d 66, 70 (1982). See also Strickland v. United States, 36 Fed.Cl. 651, 655-56 (1996).
III. The Statute of Limitations
A. The Court’s jurisdiction and the statute of limitations
The defendant in this case maintains that the plaintiff’s claim for retirement disability benefits is time barred. Assuming — at the latest — that the statute began running on the date of the plaintiff’s September 13, 1993 discharge, Mr. Myers did not file his Complaint in this Court until May 25, 2000, well over six years after the date he separated from the service, i.e., the statute expired no later than September 13, 1999. Also, the defendant argues that the statute was not tolled, inter alia, by the plaintiff’s voluntary recourse to the ABCMR, the PEB’s decision’s alleged lack of finality, equitable tolling principles or the enactment of The Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 1995, Pub.L. No. 103-337, Div. A, Title VII, § 721(f), 108 Stat. 2663, 2806 (1994) (codified as an amendment at 10 U.S.C. § 1074 (1994)) (hereinafter “Pub.L. No. 103-337”). The defendant argues that since the plaintiff’s claim is time barred and the statute has not otherwise been tolled, this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction.
The plaintiff counters with several alternatives. He claims that the PEB’s decision lacks finality because there was never a determination, as such, of his right to a disability retirement with respect to tinnitus, Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, or any other allegedly undiagnosed conditions. In the alternative, he contends that the statute was tolled by his recourse to the ABCMR or by equitable tolling principles, because he was misled by Army officials. Finally, he argues that the enactment of Pub.L. No. 103-337 suspended the running of the statute in relation to his allegedly undiagnosed claims, notwithstanding their accrual date.
The doctrine of sovereign immunity protects the United States from suit except when Congress has consented to be sued, Block v. North Dakota ex rel. Board of Univ. & Sch. Lands, 461 U.S. 273, 287, 103 S.Ct. 1811, 75 L.Ed.2d 840 (1983), and it is well-settled law that this Court’s jurisdiction is created by waivers of sovereign immunity by
Moreover, a waiver of sovereign immunity by the United States cannot be implied; it must be unequivocally expressed by Congress. Testan, 424 U.S. at 399, 96 S.Ct. 948; Lehman v. Nakshian, 453 U.S. 156, 161, 101 S.Ct. 2698, 69 L.Ed.2d 548 (1981); King, 395 U.S. at 4, 89 S.Ct. 1501. Consequently, whether or not this Court has jurisdiction depends upon the extent to which the United States has waived its sovereign immunity. Testan, 424 U.S. at 399, 96 S.Ct. 948 (citing Sherwood, 312 U.S. at 586, 61 S.Ct. 767). Any statute that creates a waiver of sovereign immunity must be strictly construed in favor of the Government. See Sherwood, 312 U.S. at 590, 61 S.Ct. 767.
The Tucker Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1491 (1994), defines the jurisdiction of the United States Court of Federal Claims, but it “ ‘does not create any substantive right enforceable against the United States for money damages.’ ” Mitchell, 445 U.S. at 538, 100 S.Ct. 1349 (quoting Testan, 424 U.S. at 398, 96 S.Ct. 948). The Act confers jurisdiction upon the Court only when a substantive right exists. Eastport S.S. Corp. v. United States, 178 Ct.Cl. 599, 605-07, 372 F.2d 1002, 1007-09 (1967). Individual claimants must look, therefore, beyond the jurisdictional statute for a waiver of sovereign immunity. United States v. Mitchell, 463 U.S. 206, 216-17, 103 S.Ct. 2961, 77 L.Ed.2d 580 (1983).
Although the plaintiffs submissions do not state the specific statutory or regulatory provisions upon which he relies, the Court will assume that the plaintiff claims a right to past and current retirement disability benefits that is properly premised on 10 U.S.C. § 1201 (1994 & Supp. V1999), which is “money-mandating”
Suits against the United States, however, are generally subject to a six-year statute of limitations after the claim first accrues. 28 U.S.C. § 2501 (2000) (“Section 2501”);
Moreover, Section 2501 is jurisdictional and must be strictly construed.
When ruling on a motion to dismiss based upon the statute of limitations, the Court must focus on the issue of “first accrual,” ie., the point at which all events transpired “entitling the claimant to demand payment and sue here for his money.” Nager Elec. Co. v. United States, 177 Ct.Cl. 234, 240, 368 F.2d 847, 851 (1966). See also Hart, 910 F.2d at 817 (citing Kinsey v. United States, 852 F.2d 556, 557 (Fed.Cir.1988)) (quoting Oceanic S.S. Co. v. United States, 165 Ct.Cl. 217, 225, 1964 WL 8621 (1964)); Japanese War Notes Claimants Ass’n v. United States, 178 Ct.Cl. 630, 632, 373 F.2d 356, 358 (1967).
B. Claim accrual and the “All Events Test”
For purposes of Section 2501, “a cause of action against the government has ‘first accrued’ only when all the events which fix the government’s alleged liability have occurred and the plaintiff was or should have been aware of their existence.” Hopland, 855 F.2d at 1577 (citing Kinsey, 852 F.2d at 557 n*) (emphasis added). See also Brighton Village Assocs. v. United States, 52 F.3d 1056, 1060 (Fed.Cir.1995). In other words, a claim accrues, and the statute of limitations begins to run, when the underlying facts of a claim become known or knowable to the plaintiff. Kubrick, 444 U.S. at 123, 100 S.Ct. 352; Menominee Tribe of Indians v. United States, 726 F.2d 718, 720-21 (Fed.Cir.1984), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 826, 105 S.Ct. 106, 83 L.Ed.2d 50 (1984). “Stated differently, a claim has accrued when the last event transpires that gives plaintiff a cause of action.” Adams, 46 Fed.Cl. at 838.
It is well settled that a cause of action for a military pay disability benefit case does not accrue until the service member seeks, and is denied, disability benefits from the first military board competent to grant such benefits. Real v. U.S., 906 F.2d 1557, 1560 (Fed.Cir.1990) (citing Friedman v. United States, 159 Ct.Cl. 1, 310 F.2d 381 (1962), cert. denied sub nom. Lipp v. United States, 373 U.S. 932, 83 S.Ct. 1540, 10 L.Ed.2d 691 (1963)); Brownfield v. United States, 218 Ct.Cl. 477, 482, 589 F.2d 1035, 1037 (1978) (“In disability retirement cases the claim accrues ‘on final action of a board competent to pass on eligibility for disability retirement.’ ”) (citations omitted); Collins v. United States, 47 Fed.Cl. 196, 199-200, aff'd, 243 F.3d 561 (Fed.Cir.2000) (table); Knowles v. United States, 43 Fed.Cl. 515, 518 (1999);
A Physical Evaluation Board is an appropriate board to make a final disability determination, and its decision is adequate to trigger the running of the statute of limitations.
Once a plaintiff is on notice of a possible cause of action, the statute of limitations period is triggered, and it is not tolled while a plaintiff pursues permissive administrative remedies, such as an optional appeal to a military records correction board.
C. Tolling the statute of limitations
The plaintiff, citing Friedman, 159 Ct.Cl. at 24, 310 F.2d at 396, claims that the PEB’s decision lacks finality because his claim did not actually accrue in relation to his tinnitus, PTSD, and Major Depressive Disorder until the PEB made a final administrative determination regarding them. He asserts that since the PEB did not consider these conditions, as well as his other allegedly undiagnosed illnesses, the statute was never triggered in relation to them.
The defendant counters that the record plainly reflects that the ABCMR was aware that the plaintiff had been examined by a specialist for audiological concerns in 1993, but that his medical records contained no contemporaneous diagnosis for tinnitus. The Board was also clearly aware that, notwithstanding the plaintiffs emotional and anxiety issues, he was never actually clinically diagnosed with PTSD, or any similar conditions, such as a Major Depressive Disorder, before he was discharged. The additional unfitting conditions, which the plaintiff complains of, were identifiable, subject to diagnosis, and
The record reflects that the ABCMR conducted a thorough, retroactive merits review of the plaintiffs complaints and symptoms as reflected in the record before it, but that it ultimately determined that these additional symptoms/complaints never rose to the level of ratable “unfitting” conditions as the plaintiffs PEB had previously concluded. The plaintiff did have a final administrative determination with regard to these additional allegedly unfitting conditions, and the ABCMR upheld the prior decision of the PEB based upon substantial evidence not just once — but twice.
The plaintiff also argues that he was misled, because he claims that he was mistakenly told during counseling that only two of his diagnoses were ratable. He maintains that because he allegedly received this incorrect information, he mistakenly concurred with the findings of his PEB, asserting that the statute should be equitably tolled.
The six-year statute of limitations is strictly construed, however, subject to limited equitable exceptions. Federal courts invoke the doctrine of equitable tolling to allow a party, under certain circumstances, to maintain an action despite the fact that a statutory time limit has elapsed, but apply this doctrine sparingly. In Irwin v. Dept, of Veterans Affairs, the United States Supreme Court sanctioned equitable tolling where: (1) “the claimant has actively pursued his judicial remedies by filing a defective pleading during the statutory period,”
Mr. Myers has failed to cite to any credible evidence of record, absent his own uncorroborated assertions, that demonstrates that Army officials fraudulently concealed facts or induced his waiver. Any allegations of overt or covert efforts on the part of the Army to deny Mr. Myers a mental health evaluation, to conceal relevant facts, or to trick or mislead him are not supported by the record. In fact, the supplemental letters from Dr. Squire and Dr. Radford indicate quite to the contrary.
Moreover, for almost two months prior to his MEB, Mr. Myers was a nominal outpatient at WRAMC. If he had requested a mental health examination at any time during his disability evaluation, nothing in the record suggests that it would have been denied. In addition, the record reflects that the plaintiff knew and understood the reasons and conditions surrounding his disability separation and that he had adequate notice of potential claims and issues when he was released from the Army. Hopland, 855 F.2d at 1577-78; Ellis, 1 Cl.Ct. at 143. Given the nominal evidence proffered by Mr. Myers, the plaintiff has not demonstrated any Army misconduct. Accordingly, the Court finds no basis to toll the statute equitably on these grounds.
D. Pub.L. No. 103-337 as tolling the statute of limitations
In addition, the plaintiff argues that an intervening statute, Pub.L. No. 103-337,
The defendant counters, however, that the plaintiff does not fall within the ambit of this statute as implemented, because all of the allegedly undiagnosed conditions that he complains of were either clinically diagnosed by the PEB or never rose to the level of a disability. The defendant maintains that any purported waivers of sovereign immunity must be strictly construed and that the statute as promulgated does not negate the finality of the PEB’s decision.
Pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 (2000),
Under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, the VA is authorized to pay compensation benefits for disabilities that are caused by an illness that cannot be diagnosed, ie., a chronic illness that has existed for six months or more and that cannot be identified. In other words, the VA’s focus is on chronic undiagnosed illnesses.
The plaintiffs purportedly undiagnosed illnesses were, in fact, either clinically identified or diagnosed by the PEB (such as his severe rashes), or they never rose to the level of a ratable disability, e.g., his headaches and diarrhea. These conditions were not chronic diseases that failed to fit any known medical illness, and the record suggests that they might have been the unfortunate, collateral side effects of other previously diagnosed causes and conditions, such as his angioedema urticaria or the residual effects of multiple meningitis attacks. Even at this late date, the record still does not support the plaintiffs contentions that he had any unfitting, undiagnosed illnesses within the purview of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 (2000). Accordingly, the plaintiff cannot claim that the PEB was deprived of finality when his case was not reopened, ie., any purported waiver of sovereign immunity must be strictly construed. Hopland, 855 F.2d at 1577; Hart, 910 F.2d at 817.
Accordingly, the defendant’s motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction is granted, because the plaintiffs claim is time barred under Section 2501.
IV. The Merits
Notwithstanding the above discussion and assuming that the Court were to find jurisdiction to entertain the plaintiff’s claim, the defendant would still be entitled to judgment on the AR.
A. Standard of review in military pay disability retirement cases
The standard of review for military pay disability retirement claims is well settled in this Court. As a general rule with regard to the review of disability retirement cases, the Court is limited to determining whether or not a decision of the correction board is arbitrary, capricious, unsupported by substantial evidence, or is contrary to applicable statutes and regulations. Heisig, 719 F.2d at 1156.
It is important to note at the outset that “it is not the province of this court to factually determine, ab initio, whether plaintiff was unfit for military service at the time of his release.”
Once a plaintiff has sought relief from the Correction Board, such plaintiff is bound by that board’s determination unless he can meet the difficult standard of proof that the Correction Board’s decision was illegal because it was arbitrary, or capricious, or in bad faith, or unsupported by substantial evidence, or contrary to law, regulation, or mandatory published procedure of a substantive nature by which plaintiff has been seriously prejudiced, and money is due.
Sanders, 219 Ct.Cl. at 298, 594 F.2d at 811. See also Porter, 163 F.3d at 1312; Wronke v. Marsh, 787 F.2d 1569, 1576 (Fed.Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 853, 107 S.Ct. 188, 93 L.Ed.2d 121 (1986). Determining who is fit or unfit to serve in the armed forces is not a function of the judiciary,
Consequently, the Court’s role, in cases such as this, is limited to reviewing the record below to determine whether or not the ABCMR’s decision was arbitrary or capricious, unsupported by substantial evidence, or contrary to law by which a complainant has been severely prejudiced and money is due.
As the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit amplified in Heisig, “the standard of review does not require a reweighing of the evidence, but a determination whether the conclusion being reviewed is supported by substantial evidence * * * Under the substantial evidence rule, all of the competent evidence must be considered, whether original or supplemental, and whether or not it supports the challenged conclusion.” Heisig, 719 F.2d at 1157 (footnote omitted).
This Court, under the applicable standard of review, is not allowed to reweigh the evidence that the ABCMR considered in reaching its decision; rather, the Court’s function is to determine whether or not the ABCMR’s conclusion was supported by substantial evidence. Id.; Maier v. Orr, 754 F.2d 973, 984 (Fed.Cir.1985) (“Judicial deference to administrative decisions of fitness for duty of service members is and of right should be the norm.”); Robbins, 29 Fed.Cl. at 725; Sanders, 219 Ct.Cl. at 302, 594 F.2d at 814. Although this standard of review is admittedly a narrow one, “ ‘[t]he court is not empowered to substitute its judgment for that of the [ABCMR].’ ” Bowman Transp., Inc. v. Arkansas-Best Freight Sys., Inc., 419 U.S. 281, 285, 95 S.Ct. 438, 42 L.Ed.2d 447 (1974) (quoting Citizens, 401 U.S. at 416, 91 S.Ct. 814).
The burden on the plaintiff is a heavy one. Grieg v. United States, 226 Ct.Cl. 258, 269, 640 F.2d 1261, 1268 (1981), cert. denied, 455 U.S. 907, 102 S.Ct. 1251, 71 L.Ed.2d 444 (1982) (quoting Cooper v. United States, 203 Ct.Cl. 300, 304-05, 1973 WL 21358 (1973)); Skinner, 219 Ct.Cl. at 332-33, 594 F.2d at 830-31. A service member is bound by the decision of a correction board unless he or she “can demonstrate by ‘cogent and clearly convincing evidence that the correction board acted arbitrarily, capriciously, contrary to law, or that its determination was unsupported by substantial evidence.’ ” Dodson v. United States, 988 F.2d 1199, 1204-05 (Fed.Cir.), reh’g denied (1993) (citation omitted).
Moreover, in challenging an ABCMR action, the plaintiff must also “overcome the strong, but rebuttable, presumption that administrators of the military, like other public officers, discharge their duties correctly, lawfully, and in good faith.” Doe v. United States, 132 F.3d 1430, 1434 (Fed.Cir.1997) (citing Sanders, 219 Ct.Cl. at 302, 594 F.2d at 813). See also Robbins, 29 Fed.Cl. at 726; Chayra, 23 Cl.Ct. at 178; Fluellen v. United States, 44 Fed.Cl. 97, 101 (1999). Even if the plaintiff can demonstrate the presence of a material legal error in the ABCMR’s decision, the member must also show a nexus between that error and being discharged without the disability retirement benefits claimed. See Hary v. United States, 223
B. The Army’s Physical Disability Evaluation Process
Army Regulation 635-40 (hereinafter “AR 635-40”) prescribes the evaluation procedures for determining the physical fitness of soldiers who might be potentially unfit to perform their military duties because of a physical disability.
The United States Army physical disability system is a multitiered system of review that is completely separate and apart from the YA’s disability process.
The PEB is a fact-finding board consisting of a field grade officer, a physician, and a field grade personnel officer. Id., II 4-17(b). The primary responsibilities of the PEB are
Initially, an informal PEB is convened to review a service member’s case, and will make its determinations based strictly on the soldier’s medical and personnel records. Id., H 4-20. However, if a service member disagrees with the conclusions of the informal PEB, the soldier can subsequently demand a formal PEB, with or without a personal appearance, in which the soldier can present evidence in support of his or her case. Id., HH 4-20(e), 4-21(a), (g).
The PEB evaluates a soldier’s physical fitness in light of the demands made upon the member based upon the rank, type of tasks and duties the individual is required to perform. A soldier, for example, might fail to meet Army retention standards because he or she is suffering from a disabling illness or injury, yet still be fit for duty because the soldier is still capable of performing the tasks and duties of his or her particular job.
C. Contentions of the Parties
The basic issue that the Court must address here is whether or not to uphold the ABCMR’s decision which determined that the plaintiff was not unfit for military service as a result of tinnitus, a Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, or any other allegedly disabling conditions at the time of his release from active duty. Specifically, the plaintiff claims that although he was awarded a 20 percent disability rating by the Army for his severe chronic urticaria and angioedema in 1993, he was not rated for any other allegedly disabling diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions because the Army did not properly evaluate him, and the Board either ignored or failed to consider relevant evidence. As a result, the plaintiff complains that the Army improperly discharged him with only severance pay under 10 U.S.C. § 1203 (1994 & Supp. V 1999) rather than with retired pay, which he now seeks under 10 U.S.C. § 1201 (1994 & Supp. V 1999). The plaintiff was given a 20 percent rating rather than a 30 percent or higher rating, which would have given him a permanent disability retirement pension rather than a lump-sum severance
The defendant counters, however, that the ABCMR’s decisions were supported by substantial evidence and contends that the plaintiff has not offered any new evidence or facts that the ABCMR has not already thoroughly considered on the supplemented record before it. Although vigorously maintaining that the ease should be dismissed on jurisdictional grounds as time barred, the defendant asks for judgment on the AR in the alternative.
Absent the dispositive statute of limitations jurisdictional issue previously considered, this case is otherwise ripe for disposition by Judgment Upon the Administrative Record because a de novo hearing in this Court would merely be an unnecessary duplication of previous ABCMR hearings, de deco, 230 Ct.Cl. at 229-30, 677 F.2d at 70; Strickland, 36 Fed.Cl. at 655-56.
D. The ABCMR’s decision not to award the plaintiff a disability rating for tinnitus was based upon substantial evidence in the record
The plaintiff complains that, in addition to his angioedema and urticaria, he was also physically unfit for military service as a result of tinnitus, which he alleges the Army improperly failed to rate when he was medically discharged in September 1993. In other words, Mr. Myers basically contends that, at the time he was discharged by the Army, his tinnitus was so severe that it also prevented him from performing his reasonable military duties. As added support for this assertion, the plaintiff emphasizes that on February 28, 2000, the VA increased his disability rating for tinnitus from zero percent to 10 percent, effective April 7, 1999.
The defendant counters, however, that there is substantial evidence in the record which indicates that Mr. Myers was not diagnosed for tinnitus, and, even assuming he did have some tinnitus at the time of his discharge, it was clearly not serious enough when he was discharged to warrant a finding that it constituted a ratable disability rendering him unfit for continued duty. See Johnston, 157 Ct.Cl. at 478, 1962 WL 9299; 10 U.S.C. § 1201 (1994 & Supp. V 1999); AR 635-40, 113-1. In addition, the defendant notes that the VA also awarded the plaintiff a zero percent disability rating for tinnitus when it first adjudicated his claim in 1994.
Contrary to the plaintiffs contentions, however, there is substantial evidence in the record indicating that although Mr.. Myers complained of tinnitus — even assuming this condition existed to some degree at the time of his release — it was not disabling enough to render him unfit for duty. After Mr. Myers complained of a hearing loss during his MEB evaluation process, he received a specialist consult for audiology screening and was thoroughly evaluated. On July 23, 1993, a clinical audiologist found that Mr. Myers’ “[h]ear-ing sensitivity [is within normal limits] * * * speech understanding ability is excellent
When called upon to determine whether or not a service member is fit for duty in relation to a disability impairment such as tinnitus, a military board, and the Secretaries acting through them, must consider the duties the service member will be reasonably expected to perform and the degree to which the member’s disability or disease will inhibit that member from generally performing his or her duties. Although the VA increased the plaintiffs disability rating for tinnitus to 10 percent 6 years after the plaintiffs discharge, that does not establish the nature and extent of the plaintiffs tinnitus at the time he separated from the Army. The VA, as noted previously, is not required to determine fitness at the time of separation; that is the responsibility of the Secretary and military authorities. Hinkle, 229 Ct.Cl. at 805, 1982 WL 26543. The record plainly indicates that the plaintiff was not diagnosed with tinnitus at the time of his MEB, and, even assuming that he had nominal tinnitus, there is substantial evidence in the record to support the ABCMR’s finding that it did not significantly impact the plaintiffs fitness for duty when he was discharged. See Wronke, 787 F.2d at 1576. There is nothing irrational or unreasonable about this finding. Skinner, 219 Ct.Cl. 322, 594 F.2d at 830-32.
Once again, the Court’s role in cases such as these is not to reweigh the evidence; but rather, to determine whether or not a reasonable mind could support the challenged conclusion. Heisig, 719 F.2d at 1157. The ABCMR’s decision was reasonable, based upon substantial evidence, and not otherwise contrary to law or regulation. The plaintiff has simply failed to sustain his burden of demonstrating to the contrary by clear and convincing evidence. Absent such evidence, this Court must presume that the ABCMR acted fairly and lawfully when it evaluated and reviewed Mr. Myers’ case. Grieg v. United States, 226 Ct.Cl. at 269-70, 640 F.2d at 1268.
E. The ABCMR’s decision not to award the plaintiff a disability rating for a Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, or any other disabling conditions was based upon substantial evidence in the record
The plaintiff also complains that the ABCMR ignored relevant evidence and failed to evaluate him properly for a Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, and other undiagnosed conditions when he separated from the Army. In other words, Mr. Myers basically contends that at the time of his discharge, his Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, and other undiagnosed conditions were so “unfitting” that they also prevented him from reasonably performing his military duties. As added support for these assertions, the plaintiff emphasizes that on February 28, 2000, the VA awarded him a ten percent disability
The defendant counters, however, that there is substantial evidence in the record which indicates that the plaintiff was never diagnosed with any other disabling known or unknown conditions, and, even assuming that he had been, the record plainly reveals that they were not sufficiently serious enough at that time to render him unfit to perform his military duties. In addition, although the plaintiff did receive an audiology consult after he complained of tinnitus prior to his MEB, the defendant notes that the record is devoid of a similar request by Mr. Myers for a mental health examination or evaluation and that the record lacks any significant, contemporaneous supporting diagnoses for other known or unknown illnesses. In addition, Mr. Myers concurred with the recommendations of both the MEB and PEB, even waiving his right to a formal hearing, yet neither the MEB nor the PEB found that the plaintiff had any other unfitting diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions.
The ABCMR thoroughly reviewed the plaintiffs applications for relief; his Army and VA records; the MEB’s and PEB’s previous evaluations, recommendations, and findings; the additional supplemental evidence and administrative irregularities cited by the plaintiff; plus the applicable statutes, regulations, and policies, inter alia, when it considered the plaintiffs requests. After carefully reviewing and evaluating the entire relevant record before it, the ABCMR ultimately concluded — not once, but twice — that the plaintiff had failed to establish the exis-fence of probable error or injustice when it upheld the PEB’s decision.
Although the plaintiff complained, inter alia, of nervousness, frustration, sleeping difficulties, and anxiety during his disability evaluation process, the record reflects that these symptoms — and their duty impact— were not deemed sufficiently serious enough at that time to be “unfitting,”
At the time of the MEB/PEB the applicant had physical ailments which included or were exacerbated by emotional/psychological factors that were noted at the time. The fact that his MEB doctors acknowledged these factors does not demonstrate that he had PTSD. Rather, their recognition of those factors tends to show that had his situation been out of the norm for such cases they would have referred him for a mental health consultation. Notwithstanding the psychiatrist’s April 1999 opinion that the applicant was disabled by PTSD at the time of his separation, there is no evidence that he had any separate emotional/psychological condition that affected his performance of duty.
AR at 291. The record also indicates that the ABCMR was aware of and considered the plaintiffs revised VA disability ratings but evidently discounted them during their deliberations.
Similarly, even assuming that the plaintiff had PTSD in 1991, as Dr. Algaier concluded in his 1999 post-discharge diagnosis, that opinion does not conclusively establish that the plaintiff suffered from it to such an extent in September 1993 that he was unfit to perform reasonable military duties.
Moreover, even assuming in retrospect that the plaintiff had received a thorough mental examination or evaluation, which might have indicated the onset of a Major Depressive Disorder or PTSD as Dr. Squire suggests (which would be highly speculative based upon the record before the Board), “that alone is not enough to warrant a finding that plaintiff had a disability rendering him unfit for duty at the time of discharge.”
The plaintiff in his search for a disability retirement has not demonstrated that he merits the same by clear and convincing evidence. Dodson, 988 F.2d at 1204-05; Wronke, 787 F.2d at 1576. Absent such evidence, this Court will presume that the ABCMR did not abuse its discretion or act unlawfully when it reviewed and evaluated the plaintiffs case. Grieg v. United States, 226 Ct.Cl. at 269, 640 F.2d at 1268. The Court has considered the plaintiffs collateral arguments and found them wanting.
The fact that some of the evidence cited by the plaintiff could conceivably support a different conclusion is immaterial. “[I]t is not the province of this court to factually determine, ab initio, whether plaintiff was unfit for military service at the time of his release.” Dzialo, 5 Cl.Ct. at 561; Ferrell, 23 Cl.Ct. at 568; de Cicco, 230 Ct.Cl. at 229-30, 677 F.2d at 70. The evidence, upon which the Board relied, is the type of evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support the conclusion that Mr. Myers was not entitled to additional disability ratings as a result of tinnitus, a Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, or any other diagnosed or undiagnosed condition when he was discharged in September 1993. See 10 U.S.C. § 1201 (1994 & Supp. V 1999); AR 635-40, 113.1. “When reasonable minds could reach differing conclusions in the same instance, the court will not substitute its own judgment for that of the military board.” Rose, 35 Fed.Cl. at 514. See also Heisig, 719 F.2d at 1156-57; Bosch, 27 Fed.Cl. at 264; Kirwin, 23 Cl.Ct. at 505; Hinkle, 229 Ct.Cl. at 805, 1982 WL 26543.
The Court is not required to reweigh the evidence that the ABCMR considered “but [to determine] whether the conclusion being reviewed is supported by substantial evidence.” Heisig, 719 F.2d at 1157. The ABCMR’s decision, after a careful review of the entire record before it, to deny the plaintiffs application to correct his military records was not arbitrary, capricious, contrary to law or regulation, or unsupported by substantial evidence.
With regard to the defendant’s motion to dismiss, once the defendant challenged this Court’s jurisdiction, the plaintiff could no longer rely on unsupported allegations of jurisdiction but must instead bring forth evidence to establish jurisdiction. See Trauma Serv. Group v. United States, 104 F.3d 1321, 1324 (Fed.Cir.1997); Reynolds, 846 F.2d at 747-48. The plaintiff filed his case in this Court on May 25, 2000, and, even assuming that the statute began running on the date of his September 13, 1993 discharge, more than six years had passed since the alleged causes of action accrued. Accordingly, this Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, and the plaintiffs claims must be dismissed with prejudice, because the plaintiff has failed to establish that they were not time barred by the statute of limitations. Waivers of sovereign immunity must be strictly con
CONCLUSION
This Court finds that the plaintiffs claims are barred by the applicable six-year statute of limitations. The defendant’s motion to dismiss is granted, and the plaintiffs Complaint is to be dismissed with prejudice. Even assuming that this ease were not otherwise time barred, the defendant would be entitled to Judgment Upon the Administrative Record, and the plaintiffs cross-motion for Judgment on the Administrative Record would be denied. The clerk shall enter judgment for the defendant.
Each party is to bear its own costs.
. See Administrative Record ("AR”) at 3, 203, 211. Unless otherwise noted, the following facts are not in dispute.
. PL's Statement of Facts ("SOF”) at 1, AR at 52, 287. The Court will treat the pro se plaintiff's SOF as an affidavit.
. The plaintiff also submitted a Report of Medical History to the MEB during his evaluation process. The plaintiff checked "yes” to the following items in Block 11: "Frequent trouble sleeping,” "Depression or excessive worry” and "Nervous trouble of any sort." In Block 8, entitled "Statement of Examinee's Present Health and Medications Currently Used,” the plaintiff wrote: "I have daily attacks of urticaria and angiodema (sic) and I am presently taking Atarax and Hismanol.” AR at 115; Pl.’s SOF at 2.
. AR at 4, 117-19, 184-88.
. AR at 5, 182-83. Plaintiff checked and signed DD Form 199, Block 13, on August 16, 1993, which indicated as follows: "I HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PHYSICAL EVALUATION BOARD, AND HAVE RECEIVED A FULL EXPLANATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND LEGAL RIGHTS PERTAINING THERETO AND I CONCUR AND WAIVE A FORMAL HEARING OF MY CASE.” AR at 183. Mr. Myers states he was told that he could file a claim with the VA for any additional disabilities. The plaintiff complains that he was frustrated, nervous, and suffered from anxieties at the time of his discharge. PL's SOF at 2.
. If a member has at least 8 but less than 20 years of service in the militaiy, the member is not entitled to disability retirement pay unless "the disability is at least 30 percent under the
. The VA is statutorily authorized to provide treatment and award compensation to veterans for service-connected disabilities. A veteran is entitled to disability benefits from the VA ”[f]or disability resulting from personal injury suffered or disease contracted in line of duty, or for aggravation of a preexisting injury suffered or disease contracted in line of duty * * 38 U.S.C. § 1110 (1994). If the veteran has a qualifying disability, he is assigned a disability rating and compensation level based upon the reduction in his capacity to earn income from civil occupations. 38 U.S.C. § 1155 (1994). To obtain disability benefits, a veteran must first file a claim with the VA. 38 U.S.C. § 5101(a) (1994).
. AR at 121-23.
. Id. The VA deferred plaintiff's claims for allergic rhinitis, broken ankle, foot condition, meningitis, residuals of an appendectomy, chronic diarrhea, shaving profile, headaches, and nervous condition pending receipt of his service medical records and VA examinations. Id. On February 28, 2000, the VA awarded the plaintiff an additional ten percent rating for PTSD and a 10 percent rating for tinnitus which amounted to a total VA disability rating of 40 percent, effective April 7, 1999. Pl.'s Mot. for Disability Retirement, Ex. H; AR at 316-21. The plaintiff states that his earlier deferred claims were deemed abandoned by the VA after the VA apparently lost track of his whereabouts as a result of his arrest. Pl.'s Mot. for Disability Retirement (Complaint) at 10.
. AR at 18-21. See also AR at 54, 176-78; Pl.'s SOF at 3.
. Congress has entrusted the primary duty of correcting military records with the correction boards. Sanders v. United States, 219 Ct.Cl. 285, 302, 594 F.2d 804, 813-14 (1979). The ABCMR was established to implement the Secretary of the Army’s discretionary authority to correct a soldier's military records: "The Secretary of a military department may correct any military record of the Secretary’s department when the Secretary considers it necessary to correct an error or remove an injustice." 10 U.S.C. § 1552(a)(1) (1994) (emphasis added). “Corrections under this section shall be made under procedures established by the Secretary concerned.” 10 U.S.C. § 1552(a)(3) (1994). If, as a result of any such correction, an amount of lost pay, allowance, compensation, or other pecuniary benefit is found to be due the claimant or his legal representative, the Secretary shall then pay this amount. 10 U.S.C. § 1552(c) (1994 & Supp. V 1999). See generally Sanders, 219 Ct.Cl. at 299-303, 594 F.2d at 811-14; Sherengos v. Seamans, 449 F.2d 333, 334 (4th Cir.1971). See also 32 C.F.R. § 581.3 (2000) (prescribes policies and procedures for the correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the ABCMR.).
. The plaintiff did not specifically identify tinnitus as a separate ratable condition as such in his September 28, 1998 application to the ABCMR. AR at 6, 8.
. AR at 53, 56, 81.
. In addition, the plaintiff’s pleadings in this case deserve particular latitude because the plaintiff appears before the Court pro se with limited resources. Haines v. Kerner, 404 U.S. 519, 520, 92 S.Ct. 594, 30 L.Ed.2d 652 (1972); Roche v. United States Postal Serv., 828 F.2d 1555, 1558 (Fed.Cir.1987). See also Estelle v. Gamble, 429 U.S. 97, 106, 97 S.Ct. 285, 50 L.Ed.2d 251 (1976). However, although the plaintiff is proceeding pro se, he still has the burden of establishing jurisdiction. Sanders, 252 F.3d at 1333.
. The plaintiff is mindful of the jurisdictional issue’s significance. "Petitioner is expressly aware than any claim against the United States particularly a disability retirment (sic) claim, must be brought within six years of the final judgement (sic) of the claim from a board or tribunal.” Pl.’s Mot. for Disability Retirement (Complaint) at 1.
. See generally 28 U.S.C. § 1491 (1994).
. The Secretary of each military service is authorized to make a final determination on a service member’s entitlement to disability benefits. See generally 10 U.S.C. §§ 1201-21 (1994 & Supp. V 1999).
. 28 U.S.C. § 2501 (1994) provides in relevant part that ”[e]veiy claim of which the United States Court of Federal Claims has jurisdiction shall be barred unless the petition thereon is filed within six years after such claim first accrues. * * * A petition on the claim of a person under legal disability or beyond the seas at the time the claim accrues may be filed within three years after the disability ceases.”
Although not raised directly by the plaintiff, his PTSD or Major Depressive Disorder could potentially toll the statute of limitations if these disabling conditions were so severe as to constitute a continuous legal disability. To prevail on such a claim, however, the plaintiff’s impediment "should require a mental derangement precluding a person from comprehending rights which he would be otherwise bound to understand." Goewey v. United States, 222 Ct.Cl. 104, 114, 612 F.2d 539, 545 (1979). The burden of proving mental incapacity is on the plaintiff, and he has made no such showing. In addition, the AR does not support a continuous legal disability finding. See generally Bond v. U.S., 43 Fed.Cl. 346, 349 (1999); Bennett v. United States, 36 Fed.Cl. 111, 112-13 (1996); Ellis v. United States, 1 Cl.Ct. 141, 143 (1983).
. In addition, the six-year time bar on actions against the United States is "a jurisdictional limitation rather than simply * * * an affirmative defense,” and as a result, it functions as a "jurisdictional requirement attached by Congress as a condition on the government’s waiver of sovereign immunity and, as such, must be strictly construed." Hopland, 855 F.2d at 1576-77. See also Laughlin v. United States, 22 Cl.Ct. 85, 99 (1990), aff'd, 975 F.2d 869 (Fed.Cir.1992) (table); Adams v. United States, 46 Fed.Cl. 834, 838 (2000); Catellus Dev. Corp. v. United States, 31 Fed.Cl. 399, 404 (1994).
. See Aubre, 40 Fed.Cl. at 376, n. 6 ("In most cases the proper board will be a physical evaluation board (‘PEB’) that evaluates a disability claim prior to separation from the armed forces. However, if the claimant is not reviewed by a PEB, a correction board’s, final decision indicates the date on which a claim accrues.") (citing Real, 906 F.2d at 1560).
. A PEB decided Mr. Myers' case on August 11, 1993, but he was not actually discharged until September 13, 1993. He filed his claim in this Court on May 25, 2000.
. "It is settled law that claims for military pay and allowances are actionable under the Tucker Act; although relief has usually been first sought from military correction boards since their creation in 1946, there is here no requirement of exhaustion of administrative remedies prior to pursuit of judicial review.” Heisig, 719 F.2d at 1155.
. Pl.’s Mot. for Disability Retirement (Complaint) at 2; Pl.’s Mot. for J. Upon the AR at 19.
. Although the ABCMR evaluated the plaintiff’s additional supplemental evidence when it reviewed the plaintiff’s prior PEB decision to determine if it would be necessary to correct any alleged errors or to remove an injustice, the Board's review did not create a new statute of limitations period. See Robinson v. United States, 163 Ct.Cl. 235, 237, 1963 WL 8567 (1963); Bruno, 214 Ct.Cl. at 386-87, 556 F.2d at 1106; Friedman, 159 Ct.Cl. at 25, 310 F.2d at 396.
. Pl.’s Mot. for Disability Retirement (Complaint) at 7.
. The plaintiff, in this case, did not file any pleadings with the Court during the statutory period.
. PL's Mot. for Disability Retirement (Complaint) at 1-2. The Defense Authorization Act For Fiscal Year 1995, Pub.L. No. 103-337, Div. A, Title VII, § 721(f), 108 Stat. 2663, 2806 (1994) (codified as an amendment at 10 U.S.C. § 1074 (1994)), provides in relevant part:
"(f) Review of Records and Rerating of Previously Discharged Gulf War Veterans. — (1) The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall ensure that a review is made of the health and personnel records of each Persian Gulf veteran who before the date of the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 1994] was discharged from active duty, or was medically retired, as a result of a Physical Evaluation Board process.
“(2) The review under paragraph (1) shall be carried out to ensure that former Persian Gulf veterans who may have been suffering from a Persian Gulf-related illness at the time of discharge or retirement from active duty as a result of the Physical Evaluation Board process are revaluated (sic) in accordance with the criteria established under subsection (e)(1) and, if appropriate, are rerated.”
. 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(1) (2000) provides in relevant part:
"Compensation for certain disabilities due to undiagnosed illnesses.
"(a)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, VA shall pay compensation in accordance with chapter 11 of title 38, United States Code, to a Persian Gulf War veteran who exhibits objective indications of chronic disability result from an illness or combination of illnesses manifested by one or more signs or symptoms such as those listed in paragraph (b) of this section, provided that such disability:
"(i) Became manifest either during active military, naval, or air service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War, or to a degree of 10 percent or more not later than December 31, 2001; and
"(ii) By history, physical examination, and laboratory tests cannot be attributed to any known clinical diagnosis.”
. These signs or symptoms are: fatigue, signs or symptoms involving the skin, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, neurologic signs or symptoms, signs or symptoms involving the respiratory system (upper or lower), sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal signs or symptoms, cardiovascular signs or symptoms, abnormal weight loss, or menstrual disorders.
. The Army had previously awarded the plaintiff a 20 percent disability rating for his severe chronic angioedema urticaria (a known, clinical
PTSD, however, was a known illness subject to objective clinical diagnosis in 1991. ”[E]ven though PTSD had not been 'given a diagnostic name until 1980 ... its symptoms ... would have been overt and noticeable had they been so inhibiting as to affect [plaintiff's] fitness for duty.'" Aubre, 40 Fed.Cl. at 379 n. 10 (quoting Kirwin, 23 Cl.Ct. at 507 n. 13). As detailed subsequently in Section IV, the ABCMR failed to find — as in Kirwin — any objective "unfitting" evidence in the record that Mr. Myers suffered from PTSD prior to his discharge; i.e., extremely "uncharacteristic” behavior indicating that he might be unfit for further military service.
. "The service medical records are quite clear that veteran began suffering from angioedema urticaria from August of 1990 while involved with Desert Storm. For the entire period of the veteran's service there were constant complaints and constant findings of skins weals." AR at 122. See also AR at 313.
. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit also noted in Heisig that this standard is broadly referred to as the " 'substantial evidence’ rule, perhaps because in the hundreds of statements of the applicable standard, not all of which have included every element summarized above, the element of ‘substantial evidence’ is least (and perhaps never) omitted.” Id. at 1156. Substantial evidence is " 'such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.' " Richardson v. Perales, 402 U.S. 389, 401, 91 S.Ct. 1420, 28 L.Ed.2d 842 (1971) (quoting Consolidated Edison Co. v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197, 229, 59 S.Ct. 206, 83 L.Ed. 126 (1938)). When employing the substantial evidence standard, "the court must consider whether the decision was based on a consideration of the relevant factors and whether there has been a clear error of judgment. Although
. A service member who incurs a disability on active duty is not entitled to a disability retirement unless the disability renders the service member unfit to perform his or her military duties. 10 U.S.C. § 1201 (1994 & Supp. V 1999). In Johnston v. United States, 157 Ct.Cl. 474, 478, 1962 WL 9299 (1962), the court underscored the importance of determining fitness for duty at the time of the member’s release:
"The issue before us is whether the Secretary's decision that plaintiff was physically fit to perform duties commensurate with his rank and office at the time of his release from service was so arbitrary and capricious as to constitute a violation of his legislative mandate. In order to establish that the Secretary’s action was so arbitrary and capricious, plaintiff must discharge a very substantial burden of proof.” Id. See also Robbins v. United States, 29 Fed.Cl. 717, 725 (1993).
. The Court is mindful that "[judicial deference must be ‘at its apogee’ in matters pertaining to the military and national defense.” Voge v. United States, 844 F.2d 776, 779 (Fed.Cir.), cert. denied, 488 U.S. 941, 109 S.Ct. 365, 102 L.Ed.2d 355 (1988).
. "Decisions regarding entitlement to disability retirement are not considered de novo by this court. The agency action, in this case embodied in the decision of the ABCMR, is given deference. The role of the court is not to determine whether in fact the service person's unfitness, if any, at the time of release was service-connected, but whether the board's determination that it was not is contrary to law." Patterson v. United States, 44 Fed.Cl. 468, 471 (1999), aff'd, 250 F.3d 757 (Fed.Cir.2000) (table), cert. denied, 531 U.S. 1070, 121 S.Ct. 758, 148 L.Ed.2d 660 (2001).
. "It takes more than an unfair rating or simple injustice to-merit our consideration or judicial relief. It must be an unlawful act made so by violation of statute, or regulation, or published mandatory procedure, or unauthorized act, or so unsupported by the evidence as to be a gross injustice, unlawful because of clear legal or factual error, manifest abuse of discretion, or arbitrary and capricious action amounting to bad faith or fraud, and seriously prejudicial." Skinner, 219 Ct.Cl. at 333, 594 F.2d at 830. “This court does not sit as a super correction board.” Harris v. United States, 14 Cl.Ct. 84, 89 (1987), aff'd, 861 F.2d 729 (Fed.Cir.1988) (table).
. "[T]he Court of Federal Claims is not to supplant the judgment of the [Board] with its own, but merely ascertains whether the [Board’s] decision is supported by substantial evidence." Aubre, 40 Fed.Cl. at 378 (citation omitted). See also Westv. United States, 35 Fed.Cl. 226, 231 (1996) (" '[W]hile we may disagree with a correction board about whether or not a specific situation was unjust, we will not substitute our judgment for the board's when reasonable minds could reach differing conclusions.' ") (quoting Sanders, 219 Ct.Cl. 285, 594 F.2d at 814); Chayra v. United States, 23 Cl.Ct. 172, 178 (1991). Moreover, as Kirwin, 23 Cl.Ct. at 505, sagely observed, "[t]he field of medical diagnosis is perhaps a paradigm example of an area in which reasonable minds can differ."
. The Federal Circuit also noted in Dodson that: "The boards may also be reviewed for failure to correct an alleged injustice where factual, rather than legal, error has been committed by the military and the error is so shocking to the conscience that boards’ failure to correct it rises to the level of legal error.” Dodson, 988 F.2d at 1204 n. 6. See also Doe, 132 F.3d at 1433-34; Arens, 969 F.2d at 1037; Wronke, 787 F.2d at 1576; Krauss v. United States, 40 Fed.Cl. 834, 838 (1998), aff'd, 185 F.3d 886 (Fed.Cir.1999) (table).
. See App. to Def.’s Mot. for J. Upon the AR at 1. This regulation, entitled "Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, or Separation,” effective September 15, 1990, specifically incorporates applicable provisions of the Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities ("VASRD”) as a part of the Army's disability evaluation process, as modified. AR 635-40, 114-19(i). For more comprehensive procedural overviews, see generally Robbins, 29 Fed.Cl. at 719-20; Slesinski v. United States, 34 Fed.Cl. 159, 162-63 (1995).
However, not all of the general policy provisions set forth in the VASRD apply to the Army. See AR 635-40, H4 — 19(i). The Army rates only conditions determined to impact adversely a soldier's ability to perform his or her assigned duties. Id., 113-l(c). The VA, on the other hand, can rate basically any service-connected impairment in order to compensate the individual for loss of civilian employability or social functioning. See AR 635-40, App. C-13.
. According to 10 U.S.C. § 1203 (1994 & Supp. V 1999), a service member is entitled to disability benefits if the member is unfit to perform his or her duties because of a physical disability incurred while entitled to basic pay. Soldiers who do not have 20 years of creditable service for retirement and who are awarded less than a 30 percent disability rating are separated with severance pay in lieu of retirement under 10 U.S.C. § 1203 (1994 & Supp. V 1999).
. The Army and VA disability ratings may not necessarily be the same for a veteran, because they are determined in different ways. Army disability benefits are compensation for the military career interruption resulting from a disability or disease, rendering the individual unfit to perform his or her duties. 10 U.S.C. § 1201 (1994 & Supp. V 1999); Bennett v. United States, 200 Ct.Cl. 635, 643-45, 1973 WL 21335 (1973). VA benefits, on the other hand, are based upon the impairment of civilian employment capacity resulting from a service-connected or aggravated disease or injury. See generally 38 U.S.C. §§ 1110, 1155; AR 635-40, App. C-13; Bennett, 200 Ct.Cl. at 644, 1973 WL 21335.
Thus, while the ABCMR does consider VA disability ratings as relevant evidence during its deliberations, it is not bound by them, and these ratings are “in no way ultimately determinative of claims for military disability retirement. * * * The [VA] does not determine fitness for military duty, which is the responsibility of the Secretary and military authorities.” Hinkle v. United States, 229 Ct.Cl. 801, 805, 1982 WL 26543 (1982). See also Kirwin, 23 Cl.Ct. at 507; Champagne v. United States, 35 Fed.Cl. 198, 212 (1996), aff'd, 136 F.3d 1300 (Fed.Cir.1998).
. Army Regulation 40-501, entitled "Standards of .Military Fitness,” effective June 14, 1989, ch. 3, prescribes the retention standards that the Army MEB’s apply. See App. to Def.’s Mot. for J. Upon the AR at 116-24.
. MEB’s make medical determinations only; they do not make decisions regarding a service member’s fitness for duty. AR 635-40, HH 4-12; 4-13(a); 4-17; 4-19.
. "The mere presences of an impairment does not, of itself, justify a finding of unfitness because of physical disability. In each case, it is necessary to compare the nature and degree of physical disability present with the requirements of the duties the soldier reasonably may be expected to perform because of his or her office, grade, rank or rating.” AR 635-40, H 3-1, App. to Def.’s Mot. for J. Upon the AR at 9.
. See 10 U.S.C. § 1552 (1994); 32 C.F.R. § 581.3 (2000).
. The Court has Tucker Act jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. § 1491(a)(1) (1994), in conjunction with 10 U.S.C. §§ 1201 et seq. (1994 & Supp. V 1999), over military disability pay claims. See Sawyer, 930 F.2d at 1580. The Court may order the correction of military records, if the order is "an incident of and collateral to” a money judgment. 28 U.S.C. § 1491(a)(2) (1994); Voge, 844 F.2d at 781.
. See Pl.’s Mot. for Disability Retirement (Complaint), Ex. H; AR at 317, 321.
. AR at 122. As noted previously, VA disability ratings, although evidence, are not binding on the ABCMR. de Cicco, 230 Ct.Cl. at 231, 677 F.2d at 71. Militaiy disability ratings — unlike the VA’s — are "directed to the sole question of whether the particular member of the armed forces is 'unfit to perform the duties of his office, grade, rank or rating * * ” Bennett, 200 Ct. Cl. at 644, 1973 WL 21335 (footnote omitted). Under applicable Army regulations, a medical finding of physical impairment does not in and of itself justify a finding that a member is also unfit for duty. Fitness for duty must be judged in light of the tasks a member is called upon to perform. AR 635-40, 113-1; 10 U.S.C. § 1201 (1994 & Supp. V 1999).
. AR at 179. See also AR at 108-10.
. AR at 288-89, 291. "The mere presence of an impairment does not, of itself, justify a finding of unfitness because of physical disability. In each case, it is necessary to compare the nature and degree of physical disability present with the requirement of the duties the soldier reasonably may be expected to perform because of his or her office, grade, rank or rating.” AR 635-40, 113-1, App. to Def.'s Mot. for J. Upon the AR at 9. See also Bennett, 200 Ct.Cl. at 645, 1973 WL 21335 ("The court's decisions have long recognized that a member of the armed forces may be 'suffering from some physical disability at the time he was found fit for active military duty,’ but that, nevertheless, '[njot all ailments or disabilities are incapacitating to the extent of requiring retirement.' ”) (citations omitted).
. See Pl.'s Mot. for Disability Retirement (Complaint), Ex. H; AR at 316-18.
. "There is no evidence of record, nor has the applicant provided sufficient evidence, which would indicate that he suffered from PTSD or other diagnosed illnesses at the time of his separation.” ARat5.
. The record also indicates that Mr. Myers was examined, tested and evaluated for almost a month at one of the Army’s premier medical centers. Although he arrived at WRAMC in early May, his MEB did not actually meet until July 27, 1993. That was more than adequate time for him to request a mental health examination or evaluation if he thought he needed such a consult as a part of his disability processing.
. As noted previously, VA disability ratings have no mandated impact on the military's independent determinations of fitness for duty that are made while an individual is on active duty. See Kirwin, 23 Cl.Ct. at 507 ("The VA rating is irrele
. After reviewing the case in its entirety, the ABCMR specifically found that "[t]he overall merits of the case, including the latest submissions and arguments [were] insufficient as a basis for the Board to reverse its previous decision. * * * there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.” AR at 292.
. The plaintiff mistakenly relies on Burkins v. United States, 914 F.Supp. 408 (D.Colo.1996) as a precedential support for his claim. See AR at 12, 42-48. This decision, however, was later vacated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. See Burkins v. United States, 112 F.3d 444 (10th Cir.), reh’g denied (1997). Mr. Burkins subsequently filed suit in the United States Court of Federal Claims, where his claim was denied on the merits. See Burkins v. United States, Fed. Cl. No. 97-755C (Mar. 3, 1999). Mr. Burkins then appealed his case to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which also ruled against him, affirming the decision of the United States Court of Federal Claims. See Burkins v. United States, 230 F.3d 1374 (Fed.Cir.1999) (table).
. See AR at 203, 231-40. During his 6 years and 10 months of active duty, the plaintiff was awarded, inter alia, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, and the Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award).
. See Walters v. United States, 175 Ct.Cl. 215, 224, 358 F.2d 957, 962 (1966) ("It is not enough, however, for plaintiff merely to show that his service-connected injuries resulted in an eventually disabling condition or that at the time of release from active duty this condition was in an incipient stage of pathological development. Plaintiff must proceed one step further and establish that the condition was of such extent and severity as to actually render him unfit for active [military] service at the time of his release or shortly thereafter.") (citing Stone v. United States, 160 Ct.Cl. 128, 1963 WL 8521 (1963)); Cole, 32 Fed.Cl. at 802-03; 10 U.S.C. § 1201 (1994 & Supp. V 1999).
. The plaintiff was admitted to WRAMC on May 3, 1993, and after almost a full month of observation, Dr. Squire concluded that the plaintiff "has