Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/341/37/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 18:59:22+00:00

Document:
Upon review under § 302(a) of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 of a decision of the Army Retiring Board discharging an officer for physical disability without pay, the Army Disability Review Board may consider, as part of the officer's "service records," medical reports of the Veterans' Administration on the officer's subsequent medical history, which records had been transmitted to the Army and incorporated in its files. Pp. 341 U. S. 37-40.
87 U.S.App.D.C. 91, 183 F.2d 144, reversed.
The case is stated in the opinion. Reversed, p. 341 U. S. 40.
medical reports of the Veterans Administration concerning his condition. Respondent requested the Review Board to remove those reports from the record. The Review Board refused. Respondent thereupon instituted this mandamus proceeding seeking a mandatory injunction directing the President of the Review Board to exclude those reports from the record. The District Court dismissed the complaint. The Court of Appeals reversed. 87 U.S.App.D.C. 91, 183 F.2d 144. The case is here on certiorari, 340 U.S. 889.
"Such review shall be based upon all available service records relating to the officer requesting such review, and such other evidence as may be presented by such officer."
Respondent contends that the term "service records" means the record of the service which the military man has rendered from the time of his entry into the service until his discharge. That was the view of the Court of Appeals. We, however, think otherwise.
"inquire into and determine the facts touching the nature and occasion of the disability of any officer who appears to be incapable of performing the duties of his office, and shall have such powers of a court-martial and of a court of inquiry as may be necessary for that purpose."
course, override the specific provision of § 302(a) to the effect that the "review shall be based upon all available service records," etc. But the nature of the powers granted under R.S. § 1248 has relevance to the arguments pressed on us for and against reading "service records" narrowly.
"originals or certified copies of the complete medical history, and of all other official records affecting the health had physical condition of the officer. [Footnote 1]"
is unfavorable. [Footnote 4] Yet that would be the result if we construed "service records" narrowly. We think it would be more in harmony with the nature of the procedure, the purpose of the inquiry, and the powers granted the Review Board to construe "service records" broadly enough to include these medical reports.
The reports in issue were official government reports transmitted to the Army and incorporated in that department's files. They therefore became a part of the record of the officer pertaining to his service. We conclude that they are "service records" within the meaning of § 302(a).
Army Reg. 605-250, Mar. 28, 1944, par. 3a.
The regulations promulgated to govern Disability Review Board proceedings have not restricted the inquiry by such a cramped construction. They authorize the Board "to receive additional evidence bearing on the causes and service-connection of [the disability]" without limitation. 32 CFR § 581.1(a)(1)(iii). Indeed, they empower the Board to make its own physical examination of the retired officer at the time of the hearing. 32 CFR § 581.1(b)(2)(v).

References: § 302
 § 302
 § 1248
 § 302
 § 581
 § 581