FILED
(}REffiBFE&I APR I I 2017
U.S. COURT OF
lIn tb@nfte! #ltlrttg t onrtof fr[erst @[Eiitf*o'"*'"
No. l5-576C (Pro Se)
(Filed: April 18,2017)
Keywords: Pro Se Complaint;
CHRISTOPHER PORTER. Military Pay Act; Disability
Retirement Pay; VA Benefits
Plaintifi Estimate ; Combat-Related Special
Compensation.
THE TINITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Defendant.
Christopher A. Porter,Mil'amat, FL, Plaintiff pro se.
Sonia M. Orfield,Tial Attomey, Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, U.S.
Department of Justice, Washington, DC, with whom were Steven J. Gillingham, Assistant
Director, Robert E. Kirschman,,,/r., Director, and Benjamin C. Mizer, Principal Deputy
Assistant Attomey General, for Defendant. Lt. Zachary Dembo, Office of the Judge
Advocate General, United States Nary, Washinglon, DC, Of Counsel.
OPINION AND ORDER
KAPLAN, Judge.
In 201 l, PlaintiffChristopher Porter was discharged from the United States Navy
due to a combination of service-connected disabling conditions. In 2013, Mr. Porter
asked the Board for Correction ofNaval Records (BCNR) to correct his naval discharge
records to reflect a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to correct a
reduction ofhis disability rating for a combat-related disability, which had been
downgraded from 5070 to 40%. The BCNR denied his requests.
In this action, Mr. Porter challenges the BCNR's decision, seeks compensatory
damages for a series of wrongs he alleges were committed by the Navy, and requests
payment of certain amounts ofper diem to which he believes he was entitled but which
he never received. The govemment has filed a partial motion to dismiss Mr. Porter's
complaint and a motion for judgment on the administrative record.
For the reasons discussed below, the govemment's partial motion to dismiss is
GRANTED as to most of Mr. Porter's claims, and its motion for judgrnent on the
administrative record is GRANTED with resoect to his remaining claims.
701rr 1,a00 0D0u 1093 ?51?
BACKGROUI{D'
I. Mr. Porterts Naval Service, Injuries, and Treatment
Mr. Porter enlisted in the United States Naly in 2005. Admin. R. (AR) 187,
Docket No. 13. In early 2008, Mr. Porter was injured on t}ree occasions during trainings
and war simulations. See id. at 271. First, in February 2008, he injured his right shoulder
while climbing a ladder during a war simulation. Id. Next, in early March 2008, he hurt
his right shoulder and lower back when he fell during a martial arts training session. !!
Finally, in early April 2008, Mr. Porter injured his back, right knee, and right ring finger
during another war simulation when a large man knocked him to the ground and landed
on his back. Id. During this same exercise, a simulated charge exploded near him. Id. at
196.
After he suffered these injuries, Mr. Porter was assigned to a duty station in San
Diego, where he received treatment at a Naly medical center. See Compl. tffl 4, 10,
Docket No. 1. Over the next two years, Mr. Porter underwent several medical procedures
to treat his injuries, including arthroscopic surgeries on his right shoulder and right knee
and the insertion ofa rod to stabilize his lumbar spine. See AR 188-94. Despite these
interventions, Mr. Porter continued to suffer pain related to his injuries in his back and in
both legs. See id.
II. Mr. Porter's Medical Evaluation and Proposed Ratings
In March 2010, a Navy medical evaluation board (MEB) determined that Mr.
Porter's medical conditions might render him unfit for continued service and referred him
to the joint VA"/DOD Disability Evaluation System (VA DES) for a full assessment. Sgg
id. at 1 80. At the start of that process, on March 25, 2010, Mr. Porter submitted a claim to
the VA DES. Id. at 181-83. In it, he claimed to have numerous "disabling conditions"
beyond the injuries described above that he felt were "caused by, or aggravated by, [his]
active military service." Id. at 182. In particular, he claimed to suffer from "post
trawnatic strcss disorder due to IED." Id.
After he submitted his claim, VA doctors examined Mr. Porter on several
occasions in April 2010. See id. at 197-20I (general medical exam); id. at 187-95
(physical exam focused on Mr. Porter's orthopedic injuries); id. at 186-87 (auditory
exam); id. at 195-97 (evaluation for PTSD).
On February 26, 2011, the VA DES completed its evaluation. Id. at 4-31' It noted
that its evaluation and recommendations would be used for two purposes. See id. at 4.
First, the Navy would use the evaluation "in determining [Mr. Porter's] frnal disposition
I The facts set forth in this section are drawn from the allegations in Mr. Porter's
complaint, which the Court assumes are true for purposes of deciding the govemment's
motion to dismiss, as well as from the documents attached to the parties' filings and the
administrative record submitted by the govemment.
for unfit conditions." Id. Second, the VA would use it "to determine [Mr. Porter's]
potential entitlement to [VA] disability compensation." Id.
The VA DES then proposed disability ratings for Mr. Porter in two overlapping
categories: (l) ratings related to the conditions that made him unfit for military service
(i.e., "unfitting conditions"); and (2) ratings for conditions for which he might be entitled
to VA disability compensation following his separation from the military (i.e.,
"disabilities"). See id. at 5-8. In terms of unfitting conditions, the VA DES proposed
ratings of 20% for "residuals of lumbar Lzl-5 fusion"; 20% for "right lower extremity
radiculopathy" (i.e., nerve pain in the right leg); and 10% for "left lower extremity
radiculopathy" (i.e., nerve pain in the left leg). Id. at 5.
For purposes of VA disability compensation, the VA DES similarly proposed
20%120%110% ratings for the disabilities caused by Mr. Porter's lumbar fusion and
ongoing pain in both legs. See id. In addition, it proposed ratings for thirteen other
disabilities that Mr. Porter claimed. Id. at 5-8. It did not, however, propose a rating for
PTSD. See id. Instead, it proposed a 10% rating for "adjustment disorder with mixed
anxiety and depression (also claimed as post-traumatic stress disorder . . . )." Id. at 6.
IIL The VA's Benefits Estimate
On the same day that the VA DES completed its evaluation, the VA provided Mr.
Porter with a benefits estimate by letter. See id. at 170-78. The letter noted that the
estimate set forth only "what disabilities VA is proposins for service connection, your
estimated VA entitlement amount, and eppfsxlrn{g VA payment start date." Id. at 170
(emphasis in original). Thus, it "d[id] not constitute a final decision by VA." Id.
In accordance with the VA DES's evaluation, the VA proposed a combined rating
for the disabilities resulting from Mr. Porter's unfitting conditions of 50Vo.Id. at 170-71.
Further, based on the combination ofthose disabilities and Mr. Porter's thirteen other
claimed disabilities, the VA proposed a "total combined rating" of 90Vo for purposes of
his entitlement to VA disability benefits. Id. at 173. The letter also informed Mr. Porter
that "[u]nless we receive additional medical evidence, we will implement the proposed
Rating Decision when the Service Department notifies us that you have separated." Id. at
178.
w. The Nary Physical Evaluation Board's tr'indings
Soon thereafter, on March 4, 2011, a Navy physical evaluation board (PEB)
issued findings regarding Mr. Porter's fitness for continued service. Id. at 32-33.
Adopting the VA DES's recommendations, it found Mr. Porter unfit for continued
service and recommended his "[p]ermanent [d]isability [r]etirement from [a]ctive [d]uty."
ld. at32.In accordance with the VA DES's evaluation, the PEB determined that Mr.
Porter's unfitting conditions included "back pain, S/P L4-5 fusion"; "radicular leg pain,
right"; and "radicular leg pain, left." Id. Applying a "[b]ilateral [flactor" to his right and
left radicular leg pain ratings, the PEB assigned him a combined disability rating of 50%.
Id. Further, it found that the disability was "permanent" and "incuned in the line of duty
under conditions simulating war." Id.
On March 8, 2011, Mr. Porter formally received the PEB's findings, and on
March 9, 201 1 , he underwent separation counseling. Id. at 35-36. During the counseling,
he was informed that he had ten days in which to respond to the findings if he wished to
request reconsideration or a formal PEB (i.e., a hearing). Id. at 35. Mr. Porter was wamed
that "[flailure to respond [within ten days] constitutes a presumption of acceptance and
the case will be automatically finalized according to the current findings ofthe PEB." Id.
Mr. Porter responded to the findings on March 18, 201 1 . Id. at 37-40. In his
response, he formally "accept[ed] and request[ed that] the PEB finalize [his] case." Id. at
37 (emphasis omitted). He also "waive[d] [his] right to submit nedadditional
information or to request a formal hearing." Id.
V. Mr. Porter's Claim for Combat-Related Special Compensation and
Discharge from Active Duty
On April 7,2011, Mr. Porter submitted claim to the Navy for combat-related
a
special compensation. Id. at 153-55. He apparently based his claim on the ratings found
in the PEB's March 4, 2011 findings. Thus, he stated that the "Title of [his] Disability"
wx"5lVo PDRL/COMBAT RELATED." Id. at 154.
After submitting this claim, Mr. Porter was discharged from active duty and
medically retired effective June 12,2011. Id. at42.Mr. Porter's DD-214 discharge form
listed "Permanent Disability Retired List" as his "Type of Separation," and it stated that
the 'Narrative Reason For [his] Separation" was "Disability, Permanent." Id. The form
also noted, in Box 18, that his disability "ha[d] been determined to be combat related."
Id. (emphasis omitted).
On September 13,2011, the Navy's CombalRelated Special Compensation
Board (CRSC Board) approved Mr. Porter's request for combat-related special
compensation. Id. at 51-54. The decision noted that he had received ratings for three
combat-related disabilities: "Residuals of lumbar L4-5 fusion," rated 20%; "Right lower
extremity radiculopathy," rated 20%o; and "Left lower extremity radiculopathy," rated
l\Vo.ld. at 51. Using the VA's combined ratings table (set forth at 38 C.F.R. $ 4.25), the
CRSC Board assigned him a combined CRSC rating of 40%. Id. at 53.
The CRSC Board noted, however, that Mr. Porter's "actual compensation amount
w[ould] be determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)," which
would "effect CRSC payment withir 60 days." Id. Further, it stated that "[i]n some cases,
where . . . disability retired pay is based on a relatively high percentage ofdisability and
the number of years of creditable service are relatively few, the computation [of CRSC
compensation] may result in little or no CRSC compensation due."2 Id.
VI. The VA's Final Disability Ratings
On March 31,2012,the VA finalized its rating decision. Id. at 45-50. It made
several changes to its February 26,20ll estimated ratings. First, it reduced Mr. Porter's
disability rating for one ofhis disabilities stemming from an unfitting condition,
"residuals of lumbar Lzl-5 fusion," from 20%o to 10%, effective November 18, 2011. Id.
at 47, 50. Second, the VA changed his rating of 10% disability for "adjustment disorder
with mixed anxiety and depression" to a rating of50% for "post traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) and major depressive disorder," effective August 11, 2011. Id. at 45. Finally, it
changed the ratings for two of Mr. Porter's other service-corurected disabilities. Id. at 45,
47, 50 (increasing his rating for "obstructive sleep apnea" and reducing his rating tbr
"cervical spine strain and degenerative disc changes with arurular calcification between
Cut-7"). Based on tlese changes, the VA increased Mr. Porter's "combined evaluation for
compensation" from 90% to 100%, effective June 13,2011. Id. at 49-50.
VII. The CRSC Board's Changes to Mr. Porter's Combat-Related Special
Compensation Rating
On May 30,2012, the CRSC Board made two changes to Mr. Porter's combat-
related special compensation rating. Id. at 69-73. First, effective July 2011, it conected
an enor it made when it first awarded him a rating of 40o/o in September 201 1. Id. at 69.
According to the CRSC Board, Mr. Porter was entitled to an additional l0% disability
rating due to the bilateral nature of two ofhis disabilities. Id. Thus, as ofJuly 2011, Mr.
Porter was entitled to a combat-related special compensation rating of 50%. Id. at72.
Second, in accordance with the VA's November 18, 201 1 reduction in Mr.
Porter's disability rating for his "residuals from L4-5 fusion," the Navy reduced Mr.
Porter's combat-related special compensation rating by 10% effective December 2011.
Id. at 69. Accordingly, as of December 2011, Mr. Porter was again entitled to a combat-
related special compensation rating of 40Vo. See id. at 72. The CRSC Board noted that it
had informed DFAS of the changes "for their intemal processing of [Mr. Porter's]
CRSC" and that "[n]o further action [was] required on [Mr. Porter's] part to effect
payment." Id.
In making these changes, however, the CRSC Board did not update Mr. Porter's
list of claimed disabilities to reflect the VA's conversion ofhis "adjustment disorder"
diagnosis to a diagnosis of "post-traumatic stress disorder." See id. at 70. Thus, as of May
2
As discussed below in more detail, this is because 10 U.S.C. $ lal3a(b)(3)(B) caps the
amount of combat-related special compensation that may be paid to medically retired
service members who served for less than twenty years.
2012, the CRSC Board had not considered whether Mr. Porter's PTSD diagnosis was
combat related. See id.
VIII. Mr. Porter's Administrative Appeals and Requests for Reconsideration
On October 8,2012,Mr. Porter sent a letter to his regional VA office appealing
theVA's November 201 1 reduction of his disability rating for his "residuais of lumbar
L4-5 fusion." Id. at 151-52. The VA's response to this request does not appear to be
included in the administrative record.
On January 24, 20l3,he sent a similar letter to the CRSC Board requesting
"Reconsideration/Appeal" of its decision to reduce his combat-related special
compensation rating from 50yo Io 40yo as of December 2011. Id. at 305-06. The CRSC
Board responded to Mr. Porter's request on February 14,2013.Id. at74-78. Noting that
it "is required to use the codes, percentages[,] and effective dates that the VA has rated,"
the CRSC board made no changes with respect to Mr. Porter's rating for "[r]esiduals of
lumbar Lzt-5 fusion." See id. at 74.
Further, for the first time, the CRSC Board considered Mr. Porter's PTSD
diagnosis. See id. at 75,77.\t determined that Mr. Porter's PTSD was not combat related,
explaining that his "application package d[id] not establish that specific combat-related
events caused [his] diagnosis." Id at77. Accordingly, it made no changes to his rating for
purposes of combat-related special compensation. See id. at 78.
IX, Mr. Porter's Application for the Correction of His Military Records
On August 21, 2013, Mr. Porter applied to the Nary for the conection of his
military records. ld. at 102-25. He made two requests. First, he noted that his "PTSD
disability was not submitted/recorded on [his] DD-214"-i.e., his military discharge
form. Id. at 103 (emphasis omitted). He thus requested that the Navy correct his DD-214
to reflect his PTSD diagnosis. See id. Second, he asserted that his combat-related special
compensation rating was "reduced by the U.S. Narry review board unjustly" fiom 50% to
40%. Id. (emphasis omitted).
After reviewing Mr. Porter's records, the BCNR denied Mr. Porter's application
on November 3, 2014. AR 1-3. With respect to his combalrelated special compensation
claim, the BCNR stated that the reduction from 50% to 40Yo "wx required because the
VA lowered the rating for one of [his] orthopedic disabilities." Id. at 2. And "because
CRSC entitlements are based on VA ratings," there was "no action" the BCNR could
take to "restore [Mr. Porter's] entitlement to payment of CRSC at the 50% rate."r Id. The
3
As discussed below in more detail, the actual amount of combat-related special
compensation to which Mr. Porter was entitled did not, in fact, change when his rating
was reduced ftom 50oA to 40yo because of the cap placed by 10 U.S.C. $ 1413a(b)(3XB).
The BCNR apparently did not take this fact into account when it referenced "restor[ing]"
Mr. Porter's entitlement to payments to the 50o/o rate.
BCNR did not mention or appear to review the CRSC Board's determination that Mr.
Porter's PTSD was not combat related. See id. at l-3.
Tuming to Mr. Porter's claim regarding the correction of his military records to
include a diagnosis ofPTSD on his discharge form, the BCNR concluded that Mr. Porter
failed to timely bring that issue to the PEB's attention. See id. at 2. According to the
BCNR, "if [Mr. Porter] believed [he] w[as] suffering from a ratable mental disorder, [he]
should have requested the PEB to rate that condition, and demanded a formal hearing."
Id. Further, "[t]he fact that the VA ultimately granted [him] a disability rating for
post[-]traumatic stress disorder was not considered probative ofthe existence ofenor or
injustice in [his] naval record because the VA acted without regard to the issue of [his]
fitness for service vis-d-vis the effects of that disorder at the time of [his] release from
active duty and retirement." Id. Accordingly, because neither of his claims merited
correcting his naval records, the BCNR denied Mr. Porter's application. Id. at 3.
X. This Action
A. Mr. Porter's Comnlaint
Mr. Porter filed acomplaint in this Court on June 8, 2015. Docket No. 1.Init,he
asserted several claims against the Navy. First, he alleged that the Navy "fraudulently,
deliberately, or mistakenly reduce[d]" his combat-related special compensation rating
from 50'r/o to 40%o. Compl. fl 41 . He also alleged that the Navy "fraudulently, deliberately,
or mistakenly failed to inscribe or enter on [his] DD-214 the [p]ost-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) diagnosis that was in the medical records from the onset." Id. fl 40
(emphasis omitted). Further, he alleged that he was "entitl[ed] to [a] Per Diem as Per
'JFTR PAR U4400"' for the period of time when he was billeted in San Diego while
receiving medical treatrnent. Id. fl 6 (emphasis omitted); see also id. fl 22. He also
appeared to claim that he was entitled to reimbursement for certain expenses related to
moving his family from Califomia to Florida upon his discharge. See id. fl 13.
Finally, Mr. Porter alleged that he had been "treated by agents of the defendant in
[a manner that was] discriminatory, unfair, [and a] widespread abuse of their authority,"
id. fl 7 (quotation omitted); that he was "subjected to lies, deception, stalling,
intimidation, threats, harassment and oppressive tactics by members of the United States
fNaryl and its hierarchy," id. '!J 12; that the Navy "intentionally made false
representations ofthe material facts regarding the true nature of [his] claim," id. fl 25; and
that the Naly's representations regarding his claim were "mistaken when they were
made" and the Navy "knew, or should have known, that its representations were mistaken
when they were made or it made them recklessly," id. flfl 33-34.
According to Mr. Porter, these alleged misdeeds "caused [him] . . . to suffer
substantial damages for pecuniary losses, additional mental anguish, loss ofenjoyment in
life, and other non-pecuniary losses." Id. ']f 42. He requested an award of "compensatory
damages in an amount of $61,000.00 and more to be determined by th[e] court." Id. at 5.
B. Remand to the BCNR
After compiling an administrative record, the govemment moved to partially
dismiss Mr. Porter's complaint with respect to several of his claims and moved for
judgment on the administrative record with respect to his remaining claims. See Def.'s
Partial Mot. to Dismiss and Mot. for J. on the Admin. R. (Def.'s Mot.), Docket No. 14.
Upon the completion of briefing, the Court ordered the parties to submit supplemental
briefs regarding whether it should remand the case to the BCNR for further consideration.
Docket No. 20. After the Court received the parties' responses, it remanded the case to
the BCNR. Docket No. 23. The Court instructed the BCNR to take the following actions:
(1) Review (for the first time) the merits of the [CRSC] Board's
determination that [Mr. Porter's] claimed post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) was not combat related;
(2) Obtain an advisory opinion from the Director of Compensation,
Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Military
Persorurel Policy) (ODUSDA4PP), pusuant to Department of
Defense Directive 1332.41, regarding all of [Mr. Porter's] claims
for entitlement to combat-related special compensation (including
his PTSD-related claims);
(3) Obtain an advisory opinion from the Defense Finance and
Accounting Service (DFAS) to provide an accounting of [Mr.
Porter's] cunent entitlement benefit and projected entitlement
benefit, should his ratings or disabilities be increased;
(4) Review (for the first time) [Mr. Porter's] per diem and travel
expense claims; and
(5) Upon completing its review of the entire case, and taking the
advisory opinions into consideration, issue a final decision
granting [Mr. Porter] any relief it determines that he is entitled to
receive, and to explain in detail the rationale supporthg its final
decision.
ld. at l-2.
C. The BCNR's Decision on Remand
The BCNR completed its review and issued a remand decision on October 11,
2016. See Notice of Filing of Decision on Remand (Remand Decision) at 3-4, Docket
No. 27. The BCNR reported that it had received advisory opinions regarding Mr. Porter's
claims from the Office of the Chief ofNaval Operations (OCNO), the ODUSD.MPP, the
Navy Council of Review Boards Qrlavy CORB), and DFAS. Id. It also noted that Mr.
Porter did not submit any additional documents or materials for consideration. Id. at 3.
Based on the advisory opinions and its own review, the BCNR "concluded that
[Mr. Porter's] PTSD condition did not qualifu for CRSC" because "there was no
evidence presented that showed that [Mr. Porter's PTSD] was caused by simulated
combat training." Id. at 4. Further, it observed that, according to the advisory opinions it
obtained from the Navy CORB and DFAS, Mr. Porter's combat-related special
compensation payments were capped at their cunent level. Id.; see also id. at 10-l 1. That
is, based on his rank and years ofservice, Mr. Porter would not be eligible to receive any
more combat-related special compensation than he currently receives even if the VA
increased his disability ratings for combat-related disabling conditions from 40% to
100%. See id. at 10-1 l. The BCNR thus concluded that Mr. Porter's "PTSD condition"
did not "qualiflyl for CRSC." See id. at 4.
The BCNR further concluded that Mr. Porter was not "authorized per diem in
accordance with the Joint Federal Travel Regulation[s]" because he had "presented no
evidence to the Board to explain why [he was] entitled to per diem for travel of [his]
dependents or more than the Govemmental Meal Rate while [he was] assigned to San
Diego." Id. Accordingly, it denied his per diem claims. See id.
After the BCNR filed its remand decision, the parties filed supplemental briefs.
See Docket Nos. 32-33. In its supplemental brief, the governrnent renewed and expanded
its motion to dismiss, contending that Mr. Porter's entire complaint should be dismissed
for lack ofsubject matter jurisdiction and/or failure to state a claim. See Def.'s Suppl. Br.
Addressing the [BCNR]'s Final Decision and Renewing Its Mot. to Dismiss and, in the
Altemative, for J. on the Admin. R. at 2-4.
DISCUSSION
L Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction
A. ApplicableStandards
In deciding a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the court
accepts as true all undisputed facts in the pleadings and draws all reasonable inferences in
favor of the plaintiff. Trusted Integation. Inc. v. United States, 659 F.3d 1159, 1163
(Fed. Cir. 201 1). The court may "inquire into jurisdictional facts" to determine whether it
has jurisdiction. Rocovich v. United States ,933 F.2d 991,993 (Fed. Cir. 1991). It is well
established that complaints that are filed by pro se plaintiffs, like this one, are held to
"less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers." Haines v. Kemer,
404 U.S. 519,520 (1972). Nonetheless, even pro se plaintiffs must persuade the court
that jurisdictional requirements have been met. Bemard v. United States, 59 Fed. Cl. 497,
499,afld,98 F. App'x 860 (Fed. Cir.2004).
Pursuant to the Tucker Act, the United States Court ofFederal Claims has
jurisdiction to "render judgment upon any claim against the United States founded either
upon the Constitution, or any Act ofCongress or any regulation ofan executive
department, or upon any express or implied contract with the United States, or for
liquidated or unliquidated damages in cases not sounding in tort." 28 U.S.C. $ 1491(a)
(2012). The Tucker Act serves as a waiver of sovereign immunity and a jurisdictional
gant, but it does not create a substantive cause ofaction. Jan's Helicopter Serv.. Inc. v.
Fed. Aviation Admin., 525 F.3d 1299,1306 (Fed. Cir. 2008). A plaintiff, therefore, must
establish that "a separate source of substantive law . . . creates the right to money
damages." Id. (quoting Fisher v. United States,402F.3d 1167 , 1172 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en
banc in relevant part)).
Further, in an action under 28 U.S.C. $ 1a91(a), the Court ofFederal Claims lacks
the power to grant equitable reliefunless such reliefis "an incident ofand collateral to" a
money judgment. James v. Caldera, i59 F.3d 573, 580 (Fed. Cir. 1998) (quoting 28
U.S.C. S A91(a)(2)). Thus, the court's power to order the correction of a service
member's military records depends upon the correction being "incidental" to an award of
monetary relief, usually in the form ofincreased payments. See Pearl v. United States,
111 Fed. Cl. 301, 308 (2013); Haskins v. United States, 51 Fed. Cl. 818, 822 (2002); see
also 28 U.S.C. $ 1a91(a)(2) ("To provide an entire remedy and to complete the relief
afforded by the judgment, the court may, as an incident ofand collateral to any such
judgment, issue orders directing restoration to office or position, placement in appropriate
duty or retirement status, and correction ofapplicable records . . . .").
B. Challense to BCNR Decisions Reeardins PTSD and Combat-Related
Special Compensation
ln this case, Mr. Porter has failed to meet the burden of establishing this Court's
jurisdiction over his claims that the BCNR erred when it failed to correct his military
records to reflect his PTSD diagnosis and when it declined to increase the rating for his
acknowledged combat-related disabilities from 40o/o to 50Yo. To be sure, 10 U.S.C
$ 1201, which govems military disability retirement, is a money-mandating statute. See
Fisher, 402 F .3d at 1174 (citing Sawyer v. United States, 930 F.2d 1577 (Fed. Cir.
1991)). Likewise, 10 U.S.C. $ 1413a, which provides that "[t]he Secretary concemed
shall pay to each eligible combat-related disabled uniformed services retiree who elects
benefits under this section a monthly amount for the combat-related disability ofthe
retiree," is money-mandating. Adams v. United States, 126 Fed. Cl.645,655-56 (2016).
But Mr. Porter does not appear to request monetary relief based on his claim that
the BCNR ened when it denied his request for correction ofhis records. And even if he
had, such relief would not be available on the facts of this case because Mr. Porter's
disability retirement and combat-related special compensation payments are capped at
their current levels. See Remand Decision at 10 Qrlavy CORB advisory opinion stating
that Mr. Porter "is receiving the maximum amount of CRSC pay that he can receive"); id.
at 11 (DFAS analysis explaining that "if [Mr. Porter's] P[ermanent] D[isability] R[etired]
L[ist] PEB percent increased to 100%, his CRSC pay would remain at $226.00 and his
net retired pay would remain at $0.00," and that "ifhis CRSC percent increased to 100%,
his CRSC pay would remain at $226.00 since he is capped").
The cap on Mr. Porter's retirement payments results from the operation of two
sets of laws. First, under 38 U.S.C. $ 5304 and 38 C.F.R. $ 3.750, a veteran who is
eligible for both military retirement pay and disability compensation must generally
10
waive his military retired pay in order to receive disability compensation. See 38 U.S.C.
$ 53Oa(a)(1); 38 C.F.R. $ 3.750(c)(1). Veterans who stand to receive more in disability
compensation than in retirement pay have reason to execute such a waiver.
To determine whether a service member who has been medically retired will
receive more in disability compensation than in retirement pay, the service mernber's
entitlement to retirement pay must be calculated pursuant to 10 U.S.C. $ 1401(a) and 10
U.S.C. $ 1406OX1). Those statutes act in concert with 10 U.S.C. $ 1201 to place a cap
on the retirement pay that a medically retired service member may receive. Specifically, a
service member who is medically retired may receive no more than a payment equal to
his monthly basic payment at the time of retirement multiplied by either (l) two-and-a-
halftimes his creditable years ofservice, expressed as a percentage,a or (2) the
percentage of his unfitting disabilities up to 75Vo. See 10 U.S.C. $ 1401(a); 10 U.S.C.
s 1406(bx1).
In this case, according to DFAS's advisory opinion, Mr. Porter's entitlement to
retired pay based on his present level of disability is $1,140 per month. Remand Decision
at 1i. But his monthly entitlement to VA disability benefits is much higher-$ 3 ,37 1 .35
per month. Id. He has thus executed a VA waiver, and he receives no net retirement pay'
See id.
According to DFAS, if Mr. Porter's entitlement to retirement pay were calculated
based on a 100% disability rating (rather than the current 40o% rating), he would be
entitled to just $ 1,710 in retirement pay per month. See id. This remains well short of his
VA waiver amount, and he still would receive no net retirement pay. See id'
The cap on Mr. Porter's combat-related special compensation payments has a
separate source, 10 U.S.C. $ 1413a, which is the statute creating the entitlement to
combat-related special compensation. Under that statute, combat-related special
compensation is not subject to a VA waiver, and a disabled service member is generally
entitled to a payment of"the amount of compensation to which the retiree is entitled
under title 38 [i.e., the statute governing disability benefits] for that month, determined
without regard to any disability of the retiree that is not a combat-related disability." Id.
$ la13a(bXl). For service members with fewer than twenty years of service who are
medically retired, however, the statute caps payments at an amount equal to two-and-a-
half times the service member's creditable years ofservice, expressed as a percentage,
multiptied by the member's base pay upon retirement. Id. $ 1a13a(b)(3(B).
As discussed above, Mr. Porter served in the Navy for about five years. Thus, the
applicable multiplier under $ lal3a(b)(3)(B) is fairly small, and, according to DFAS' the
$ lal3a(b)(3)(B) calculation yields a maximum monthly payment for Mr' Porter of
5226.00, which is the amount he cunently receives. See Remand Decision at 1 1. His
combat-related special compensation payments therefore would not change even if his
a
Thus, a service member with ten years of creditable service could elect a multiplier of
25%o. See 10 U.S.C. 0 1401.
l1
combat-related disabilities were rated as 100% disabling by the VA. See id.; see also id.
at 10 Q.{aly CORB advisory opinion reaching the same conclusion).
Under the relevant statutes and regulations, then, Mr. Porter cannot receive any
retirement pay without revoking his VA waiver; nor can he receive any more combat-
related special compensation than he currently receives. As a result, this Court lacks
jurisdiction to order the correction ofhis military records, even ifsuch a correction were
warranted, because such relief would not be "an incident ofand collateral to" a money
judgment. Caldera, 159 F.3d at 580 (quoting 28 U.S.C. $ 1491(aX2)); see also Bobula v.
U.S. Dep't of Justice,970 F.2d 854, 859 (Fed. Cir. 1992) (Court of Federal Claims may
exercise its equitable powers only "ifthey are necessary for complete relief'); Pearl, 111
Fed. Cl. at 308; Haskins, 51 Fed. Cl. at 823. Accordingly, the Court lacks jurisdiction
over Mr. Porter's claim that the BCNR erred when it failed to correct his military records
to reflect his PTSD diagnosis and declined to increase the rating for his acknowledged
combat-related disabilities from 400/o lo 50yo.s
C. Tort and Civil Riehts Clains
As to Mr. Porter's other claims: it is well established that "[t]he plain language of
the Tucker Act excludes from the Court of Federal Claims['] jurisdiction claims sounding
in tort." Rick's Mushroom Serv.. Inc. v. United States, 521 F.3d 1338, 1343 (Fed. Cir.
2008) (citing 28 U.S.C. $ la91(aX1)). Similarly, this Court lacks jurisdiction over claims
alleging the deprivation ofcivil rights and/or claims based on alleged violations of civil
rights laws, for which jurisdiction is vested in the United States District Courts. See
Elkins v. United States,229 U. CL.607,608 (1981) (per curiam); Taylor v. United States,
73 Fed. Cl. 532, 540 (2006); Sindram v. United States, 67 Fed. Cl. 788,794 (2005). Thus'
the Court lacks jurisdiction over Mr. Porter's claims for damages arising from what he
characterizes as "false representations"; "mistaken representations"; "mental anguish,
loss ofenjoyment in life, and other non-pecuniary issues"; and his claims based on the
Narry's allegedly discriminatory or oppressive conduct. See Compl. 1fl7, L2,25--29,33
37,3943.
D. Claims Under the Joint Travel Resulations
On the other hand, to the extent that Mr. Porter is pressing claims for monetary
reliefbased on violations ofthe Joint Federal Travel Regulations, this Court has
s
Further, as the govemment points out, the Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain claims
directly challenging the VA's disability benefits decisions. Prestidse v. United States,
611 F. App'x 979,982-83 (Fed. Cir.2015); Addineton v. United States,94Red,.Cl.779,
782(2010); see also Elkins v. Gober,229F.3d1369,l374J5 (Fed. Cir.2000)
(discussing the administrative scheme goveming such challenges). Thus' to the extent
Mr. Porter's combat-related special compensation claim may be construed as a challenge
to the VA ratings that form the starting point for calculating his entitlement to combat-
related special compensation, the Court lacks jurisdiction over the claim for that reason as
well.
12
jurisdiction over such claims under the Tucker Act. See Bailey v. United States , 52 Fed.
Cl. 105, 109 (2002); Eastman v. United States, 33 Fed. CL.293,297-98 (1995).
Accordingly, the Court has jurisdiction to hear Mr. Porter's claims that the BCNR erred
when it found that he was not entitled to additional per diem payments.
In summary, the Court lacks jurisdiction as to Mr. Porter's claim that his records
should be corrected to reflect his PTSD diagnosis and his claim that the Board erred in
not adjusting upward by 10% his rating for his combat-related disabilities. On the facts of
his case, Mr. Porter is not entitled to monetary relief on those claims; and the Court thus
has no power to grant the equitable reliefhe requests. Further, the Court lacks jurisdiction
over Mr. Porter's tort, discrimination, and civil rights claims, as well as his challenge to
the VA's reduction of his disability ratings. The govemment's motion to dismiss for lack
of subject-matter jurisdiction is therefore GRANTED as to all of those claims.
II. Motion to Dismiss or in the Alternative for Judgment on the Administrative
Record as to Per Diem Claims
A. Standards
When considering a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule
12(b)(6) ofthe Rules ofthe Court offederal Claims (RCFC), the court accepts as true the
complaint's undisputed factual allegations and construes them in the light most favorable
to the plaintiff. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662,678 (2009).6 The court also draws all
reasonable inferences in favor of the non-moving party. Sommers Oil Co. v' United
States,241 F.3d 1375, 1378 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Nevertheless, the complaint's factual
allegations "must be enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level." Bell
Atl. Corp. v. Twomblv, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). In other words, the plaintiff s claim
must be plausible on its face. Id. at 570; see also Acceptance Ins. Cos.. Inc. v. United
States, 583 F.3d 849, 853 (Fed. Cir. 2009). "A claim has facial plausibility when the
plaintiffpleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that
the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (citing
Twomblv, 550 U.S. at 556).
The standard goveming a motion for judgment on the administrative record is set
forth in RCFC 52.i, and differs from the standard for a motion for summary judgment.
Bannum. Inc. v. United States, 404 F.3d 1346, 1354-55 (Fed. Cir. 2005). Thus, when
deciding a motion forjudgment on the administrative record, "a genuine dispute of
material fact does not preclude ajudgment on the administrative record." Sierra Nev'
6
"[t]he Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims generally mirror the
Because
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP)," the "'[i]nterpretation ofthe court's rules [is]
guided by case law"' interpreting the equivalent rules of federal procedure and by "'the
Advisory Comrnittee notes that accompany the Federal Rules."'Sharoe v. United States,
1 12 Fed. Cl. 468, 474 n.3 (2013) (quoting RCFC 2002 Rules Committee Note).
t3
Com. v. United States, 107 Fed. Ct.735,751 (2012) (citing Bannum. Inc.,404 F.3d at
1355-56). To the contrary, "[t]o review a motion or cross-motions under RCFC 52.1(c),
the court asks whether, given all the disputed and undisputed facts, a party has met its
burden ofproofbased on the evidence in the record." Jordan Pond Co.. LLC v. United
States, 115 Fed.Cl.623,630 (2014) (citing Bannum. Inc.,404F.3dat 1356-57); see also
RCFC 52.1 Rules Committee Note (2006) ("Summary judgment standards are not
pertinent to judicial review upon an administrative record."). "The existence of a question
offact thus neither precludes the granting ofa motion for judgment on the administrative
record nor requires th[e] court to conduct a full blown evidentiary proceeding."
CRAssociates. Inc. v. United States, 102 Fed. CI. 698, 710 (2011) (citing Bannum. Inc.,
404 F.3d at 1356).
B. Scope of Review of BCNR Decisions
The scope ofjudicial review of military conection board decisions is a narrow
one. Thus, this Court is "'limited to determining whether a decision of the Correction
Board is arbitrary, capricious, unsupported by substantial evidence, or contrary to
applicable statutes and regulations."' Melendez Camilo v. United States,642F.3d 1040,
1044 (Fed. Cir. 201 1) (quoting Heisig v. United States ,719 F.2d 1 153, 1 156 (Fed. Cir.
1983)). The arbitrary and capricious standard ofreview "does not require a reweighing of
the evidence, but a determination whether the conclusion being reviewed is supported by
substantial evidence." Heisig,Tl9 F.2d at 1157 (emphasis in original). "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 (1971) (quoting Consol'
Edison Co. v. NLRB, 305 U.S. 197 ,229 (1938)). The court is limited to reviewing the
record that was before the corrections board. Metz v. United States,466F.3d 991, 998
(Fed. Cir. 2006); see also Walls v. United States, 582 F.3d 1358, 1368 (Fed' Cir' 2009).
Finally, the court may not "substitute [its] judgment for that of the military department[]
when reasonable minds could reach differing conclusions on the same evidence." Heisiq,
719 F.2d at 1156.
C. Aoplication to This Case
As noted above, the government has moved to dismiss Mr. Porter's claims
regarding his entitlement to additional amounts ofper diem pursuant to RCFC 12(b)(6)'
for failure to state a claim. Altematively, it asks that the Court enter judgment on the
administrative record as to those claims.
The Court agrees with the govemment that the allegations in Mr. Porter's original
complaint were arguably too vague and generalized to state a claim for relief. Thus, in
that complaint, Mr. Porter simply alleged that "Plaintiff was entitl[ed] to Per Diem as per
'JFTR PAR U4400' which delineates the rights to County Per Diem when TDY is not at
the installation." Compl. fl 6 (emphasis omitted); see also id.\n22,39 (making similar
generalized allegations). He also stated, in reference to his apparent claim for
reimbursement for travel expenses for his dependents, that he "was []paid less money
than what he was entitle[d] to as [a] retired Nary member and his dependents (wife and
two children travelling from Califomia to Florida) of the United States." Id. fl 13. Mr'
14
Porter did not include any factual allegations in support ofhis claim that he was entitled
to additional per diem payments; nor did he cite any specific regulations as a basis for his
entitlement to travel expenses for his family.
On the other hand, Mr. Porter appended some email exchanges regarding
reimbursement oftravel expenses to his complaint, id. at 9-23; and he elaborated
somewhat further on his allegations in his response to the govemment's motion to
dismiss, see Pl.'s Mot. to Dismiss Def.'s Mot. at 10, Docket No. 16. Thus, in his
response, he contended that the joint federal travel regulations (JFTR) entitle service
members to per diem payments for meals when they are ordered to annual training where
a govemment mess is "unavailable." Id. He further claimed that under the applicable
regulation, a govemment mess "is considered not available if (1) the member's orders
specifically state that govemment mess is not available , and (2) the unique circumstances
ofthe member's duty and assignments prevent him from taking any meals at government
mess facilities located at the nominal site of his assignment." See id.
According to Mr. Porter, the circumstances of his stay in San Diego for treatment
at the Medical Center were such that "MESSING was NOT COMPATIBLE ' because his
appointments "were at various time[s] of the day and . . . were MORE THAN 99.9% OFF
THE BASE," and because of "intricacies, complexities, and . . . Base Galley hours of
operations." Id. (emphasis in original).
Given Mr. Porter's pro se status, and the unclear state of the record regarding his
claims for per diem pay, the Court directed the BCNR to develop the record and resolve
Mr. Porter's per diem claims when it remanded this case to the BCNR' Based on the
BCNR's decision, the Court concludes that, even assuming that Mr. Porter has stated
claims for relief withir the meaning of RCFC 12(bX6), the government is entitled to
judgment on the administrative record as to those claims.
Thus, in an advisory opinion the BCNR obtained on remand, OCNO explained
that, rurder Navy regulations, a service member "is not authorized dependent travel and
transportation allowances when a member is called to active duty (for other than training)
for more than 180 days at one location" unless the call to duty was required by
contingency operations. Remand Decision at 5. The BCNR noted, however, that Mr.
,,presented no evidence to the Board to explain why
Porter [he was] entitled to per diem
for travel of [his] dependents" in connection with his assignment to San Diego. Id. at 4.
Further, OCNO advised the BCNR that Mr. Porter's per diem for meals was
limited to the standard Govemment Meal Rate (GMR) because "adequate Govemment
Quarters [we]re available on the U.S. Installation to which [he was] assigned" and "the
Govemment dining facility/mess was available for all three meals" each day he was
assigned there. Id. at 5 {. Relying on OCNO's opinion, the BCNR determined that Mr.
Porter was not authorized any per diem for meals beyond the per diem he in fact
received. Id. at 4.
In his supplemental brief, Mr. Porter does not present any basis for challenging
the BCNR's determination, other than to assert that he had many medical appointments
l)
offbase during the time he was an outpatient at the San Diego Medical Center and that
"[g]alley hours weren't compatible with the appointments." See Pl.['s] Suppl. Brief[] at
2, Docket No. 33. But the pertinent regulations provide that a service member is entitled
to reimbursement for meals only when an officer has determined (among other things)
that "[t]here is excessive distance between the [govemment] dining facility and places of
duty, and/or oflodging"; that "[t]ransportation is not reasonably available between the
[govemment] dining facility and places of duty, and/or oflodging"; or "[d]uty hours and
[govemment] dining facility operating hours are not compatible." See Dep't of Def., The
Joint Travel Reeulations Ch.4, Part B'1T 4235(8) (Nov. 1, 2016), http://www.defense
travel.dod.mil/Docs/perdiem/JTR.pdf. It was not unreasonable for the Board to find that
Mr. Porter did not submit evidence sufficient to show that anv ofthese standards were
met.
Accordingly, Mr. Porter's claims for additional per diem payments lack merit, and
the govemment is entitled to judgment on the administrative record as to those claims.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons discussed above, the govemment's motion to dismiss under RCFC
12(b)(1) is GRANTED as to Mr. Porter's claim that his records should be corrected to
reflect his PTSD diagnosis; his claim to an entitlement to a change in his combat-related
special compensation rating; his tort, discrimination, and civil rights claims; and any
claim that the VA erred in revising his disability ratings. Accordingly, those claims are
DISMISSED without prejudice.
The govemment's motion to dismiss Mr. Porter's remaining claim under RCFC
12(b)(6) is DENIED; however, its motion for judgment on the administrative record as to
Mr. Porter's per diem claims is GRANTED.
The Clerk is directed to enter judgment accordingly. Each side shall bear its own
costs.
t( //_-
IT IS SO ORDERED.
ELAINE D. KAPLAN
Judge
16