RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-02132
		INDEX CODE:  110.00

		COUNSEL:  None

		HEARING DESIRED: No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Narrative Reason for Separation on her DD Form 214 be changed from Personality Disorder.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was misdiagnosed by military physicians.  The military physicians diagnosed her as having a Personality Disorder.  The Department of Veterans Affairs physicians diagnosed her symptoms as Graves’ Disease.

Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 21 February 2001 for a period of six years as an airman.

A mental health evaluation report dated 29 July 2001, states the applicant was first seen in the Life Skills Support Center on 24 October 2001, for feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, decreased sleep, concentration and appetite.  The applicant associated her symptoms with the recent deployment of her boyfriend and two friends and her own upcoming deployment.  She was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.  The applicant was removed from deployment and treated with therapy and medication and many of her acute symptoms resolved.  In March 2002, she was removed from profile and returned to World Wide Qualified (WWQ) status.  The applicant was deployed in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), however, she returned early from OEF due to feelings of hopelessness and depression, frequent tearfulness, and difficulties with sleeping, concentration and appetite.

On 6 August 2002, the applicant was informed of her commander’s intent to recommend her for discharge for a condition that interferes with military service (mental disorder).

The commander advised the applicant of her right to consult legal counsel and that legal counsel had been obtained to assist her; and to submit statements in her own behalf, or waive the above rights after consulting with counsel.

The commander indicated in his recommendation for discharge action that if his recommendation was approved, the applicant's service would be characterized as honorable.  

On 7 August 2002, after consulting with counsel, applicant waived her right to submit a statement.

A legal review was conducted on 7 August 2002, in which the staff judge advocate (SJA) recommended the applicant be discharged with an honorable discharge.

On 15 August 2002, the Discharge Authority approved and ordered the applicant be discharged with an honorable discharge without probation and rehabilitation.

The applicant was discharged on 16 August 2002, in the grade of airman first class with an honorable discharge.  She served 1 year, 5 months and 26 days of active duty service.

Upon application to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), the applicant was awarded on 29 May 2003, a combined disability rating of 40 percent for service connected Irritable Bowel Syndrome (30 percent) and Graves’ Disease (an autoimmune disorder that presents with an overproduction of thyroid hormone leading to hyperthyroidism, which can aggravate other preexisting mental health conditions (10 percent).  The DVA rating decision further indicated that the mental health examiner found no current evidence of a mental condition and the applicant’s symptoms while on active duty were due to Graves’ Disease.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Chief Medical Consultant, AFBCMR, states the applicant was discharged for unsuitability due to a personality disorder.  However, a year after being discharged she was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease by the DVA.  In March 2002, the applicant’s physician noted the applicant’s thyroid gland was slightly enlarged and she reported areas of skin de-pigmentation.  The appropriate screening blood test was ordered but the results are not in the applicant’s medical records.  The applicant did not present with the typical signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism while on active duty such as, unexplained rapid heart rate, fever and weight loss.  In fact, she experienced constipation when the typical symptom of hyperthyroidism is increased frequency of bowel movements.  The Medical Consultant further states based on the preponderance of evidence evaluated by the DVA, it is likely that the applicant was experiencing the effects of Graves’ Disease while on active duty which may have contributed to her emotional state.  Given that there were signs of Graves’ Disease when she was diagnosed with a Personality Disorder in 2002, and her initial duty performance was excellent, the validity of her diagnosis of personality disorder is questionable.  Therefore, Medical Consultant recommends the applicant’s narrative reason for separation be changed from Personality Disorder to Secretarial Authority.

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

HQ AFPC/DPPRS states based on the documentation in the applicant’s master personnel file, her discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation. AFPC/DPPRS further states if the Board decides to grant the requested relief the applicant’s separation code and narrative reason for separation should be changed from Personality Disorder to Secretarial Authority with a separation program designator code of KFF.

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

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 19 December 2003, for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.  

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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

2.	The application was timely filed.

3.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice to warrant changing the applicant’s narrative reason for separation.  The Board, after carefully reviewing this application, agrees with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force and the AFBCMR Medical Consultant that it appears the applicant was experiencing the effects of Graves’ disease while on active duty which contributed to her emotional state.  The applicant’s records indicate she graduated with honors from BMT and her initial duty performance was excellent.  Therefore, the Board believes the validity of the diagnosis of Personality Disorder is questionable and that it would be an injustice for the applicant to continue to suffer the adverse effects of such a characterization.  Accordingly, we recommend that her records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with her honorable discharge on 16 August 2002, was “Secretarial Authority” and the Separation Program Designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”
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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-02132 in Executive Session on 10 February 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 18 Jun 03, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated
			19 Nov 03.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRS, dated 16 Dec 03.
	Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Dec 03.

				

AFBCMR BC-2003-02132
INDEX CODE:  110.00

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction for Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116) it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to                   , be corrected to show the narrative reason for separation, issued in conjunction with her honorable discharge on 16 August 2002, was “Secretarial Authority” and the Separation Program Designator (SPD) code was “KFF.”