PSH-23-0046 - In the Matter of Personnel Security Hearing

On May 18, 2023, an Administrative Judge determined that an Individual's access authorization should be restored under 10 C.F.R. Part 710. The Individual was involuntarily hospitalized and diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 2022 after experiencing a manic episode. The Individual was subsequently evaluated by a DOE-contracted Psychologist (DOE Psychologist) who opined that the Individual met sufficient diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Manic, under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition, and that this condition could impair the Individual's judgment, stability, reliability, or trustworthiness. At the hearing, the Individual established that she had adhered to a treatment regimen since her involuntary hospitalization, including taking all prescribed medication, receiving cognitive behavioral therapy, and adopting changes to her lifestyle to minimize the risks of another mood episode. The Individual denied having experienced a mood episode since the manic episode in 2022, and indicated that she would strictly adhere to her treatment regimen in the future. Several clinicians treating the Individual and a consulting psychologist provided positive prognoses for the Individual's recovery. Based on the information presented by the Individual, the DOE Psychologist opined that the Individual's condition was stable and her prognosis was good. The Administrative Judge concluded that the Individual had resolved the security concerns presented by her Bipolar Disorder under Guideline I. Therefore, the Administrative Judge determined that the Individual's access authorization should be restored. ( OHA Case No. PSH-23-0046, Harmonick)