RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01283
		INDEX CODE:  112.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The reasons the applicant believes the records to be in error or unjust and the evidence submitted in support of the appeal are at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant's military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force. 

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant states that the records document a Bipolar Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder existing prior to service that interfered with the applicant’s duty performance.

Bipolar disorder is an illness characterized by a period of sustained disruption of mood, associated with distortions of perception, somatic functioning, and impairment in social functioning.  Age of onset is typically between 15 and 30 years of age.  The clinical manifestations include periods of mania, a state of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least a week, and periods of depressed mood or even episodes of major depression.  Bipolar disorder is classified into two types, type I describe patients experiencing predominantly problems with mania, and type II those with more difficulty with depression.  Manic episodes are characterized by inflated self esteem, decreased need for sleep, excessive talkativeness, racing of thoughts, increased goal directed activity, easy distractibility, and excessive pursuit of pleasurable activities without the normal regard for the consequences of excess (spending money, sexual encounters, etc.)  The most common behavioral symptoms associated with manic episodes include pressured speech, hyperverbosity, physical hyperactivity, agitation, decreased need for sleep, hypersexuality and extravagance.  Impaired insight is a frequent component of the manic episode.  Bipolar disorder is marked by a course of relapses and remissions, is frequently associated with substance abuse, with a high rate of suicide attempt (25-50%) and successful suicide (15%).  Other conditions may produce symptoms similar to bipolar disorder and include substance abuse including alcohol, and personality disorders.

Personality disorders are lifelong patterns of maladjustment in the individual’s personality structure which are not medically disqualifying or unfitting but may render the individual unsuitable for further military service an may be cause for administrative action by the individual’s unit commander.  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) defines Schizotypal Personality Disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort with and reduced capacity for close relationships as well as by cognitive or perceptual distortions and eccentricities of behavior, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts as indicated by odd beliefs or magical thinking that influences behavior and is inconsistent with sub-cultural norms, unusual perceptual experiences, odd thinking and speech, suspiciousness or paranoid ideation, inappropriate constricted affect, lack or close friends excessive social anxiety that does not diminish with familiarity and tend to be associated with paranoid fears, and ideas of reference incorrect interpretation of casual incidents and external events as having a particular and unusual meaning specifically for the person).

Action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the law.  The BCMR Medical Consultant is of the opinion that no change in the records is warranted.

A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPAE states that based on the documentation the RE code the applicant received at the time of separation is correct.  The applicant has not satisfactorily indicated the RE code was inappropriate or not in compliance with Air Force policy.

A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 23 August 2002, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was timely filed.

3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered this application on 8 October 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Apr 02, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 20 May 02.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPA, dated 20 Aug 02.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 23 Aug 02.