RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-02847
		INDEX CODE:  110.02
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her narrative reason for discharge and her reentry code (RE) be changed to allow her to enter the Air National Guard (ANG).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She does not believe she has a mental disorder and would like the reason for separation to be reevaluated.

In support of her appeal, applicant submitted a personal statement, a copy of her DD Form 214, documentation extracted from her Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) records, and a copy of her performance report.

Her complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 30 May 00, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as an airman first class for a period of four years and served as an Lodging Specialist.

On 11 Dec 01, her commander notified her that he was recommending her discharge from the Air Force for conditions that interfere with military service (mental disorders).  The specific reasons for the discharge action were:

		On 15 Oct 01, she underwent a comprehensive mental evaluation and was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, major depressive disorder.

		On 3 Apr 01, she received a Letter of Reprimand for failing to report at the time prescribed to her appointed place of duty.

On 16 Nov 01, an Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB) was convened and the IPEB determined she was fit and recommended she be returned to duty and processed for discharge.

Her commander advised her of her rights in this matter.

On 14 Dec 01, she acknowledged receipt of the notification and after consulting with legal counsel waived her right to submit statements in her own behalf.

On 18 Dec 01, the discharge authority directed discharge without probation and rehabilitation.

She was honorably discharged on 19 Dec 01.  She served 1 year, 6 months and 19 days on active duty.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial.  DPSOS states based on the documentation on file in the master personnel records, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction. The discharge was within the discretion of the discharge authority.  She did not submit any evidence or identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing.  She provided no facts warranting a change to her narrative reason or reentry code.

AFPC/DPSOS’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSOA recommends denying the request for a change in the RE code.  DPSOA states the applicant received an RE code of "2C" which denotes "Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry-level separation without characterization of service."  No evidence was found in the master personnel records or submitted by the applicant that indicates the RE code received was an error or injustice.  DPSOA further states before changing the RE code, documented medical proof from the enlisting medical facility must be submitted indicating that the initial diagnosis of mental disorder was incorrect.

AFPC/DPSOA’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/JA recommends denying the request to change the RE code.  However, AFPC/JA recommends changing the separation code and (SPD) narrative reason for separation.  The applicant's DD Form 214 reflects an SPD code that denoted the basis for her separation as Personality Disorder.  At the time of her separation, this SPD code was also used for Adjustment Disorders.  A distinct separation code now exists for Adjustment Disorder and no evidence was presented suggesting she was diagnosed with a Personality Disorder.  

No evidence was submitted to suggest that she is suitable for military service or that her commander erred in determining that she is not suitable for further military service.  The evidence of record indicates she was unable to adapt to military life and her mental state made her unsuitable for military service.  The RE code indicates she was involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge.  AFPC/JA concurs with AFPC/DPSOA that the RE code she received is appropriate.

AFPC/JA’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit E.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

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.

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ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends denying the request for changing the RE code, but recommends a change in the narrative reason for separation and separation code.  The Medical Consultant states, the maladaptive pattern of behavior demonstrated by the applicant early during her course of military service was attributed to an Adjustment Disorder, a mental condition which is not considered a disability.  When an Adjustment Disorder interferes with military service, procedures are undertaken by command authorities to administratively separate the service member.  Although the applicant had a co-morbid medical condition (Major Depressive Disorder), which otherwise qualified her for referral for a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) this associated or secondary, aspect of her symptom-complex did not independently interfere with her military service to the extent to warrant a finding of unfit; and rendering her eligible for disability compensation.

Although the applicant's acute clinical symptoms have likely resolved, as would be expected after removing the primary stressor of military service, she remains vulnerable for a recurrence of her previously demonstrated pattern of behavior, when confronted with the right set of triggers.  Although a position in the ANG in her home environment might initially seem to be reasonable risk, such a risk becomes unreasonable in the context of the extreme mental and physical stressors confronting all members of today's deployed Air and Space Expeditionary Force; a vulnerability that no longer escapes our ANG and ARC service members.

The Medical Consultant found an administrative error in the listed reason for separation (Mental Disorder) and separation code (JFX).  The SPD code JFX should be used only for Personality Disorder, which she does not have.  Her actual reason for discharge was an Adjustment Disorder.  Since she was not entitled to an administrative board hearing her SPD code should have been reflected as JFY, which denotes Adjustment Disorder.

The Medical Consultant's complete evaluation is at Exhibit G.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant's evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  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 not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice warranting partial relief.  In this respect, the applicant is requesting her narrative reason for separation and reentry code be changed to allow her to enlist in the Air National Guard.  After a review of the evidence of record, we find no evidence showing that her reentry code is erroneous, and are not persuaded by her assertions that it is unjust.  On the other hand, it appears that the applicant was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder, rather than a Personality Disorder as reflected on her discharge documents.  We agree with the assessments of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant and HQ AFPC/JA that the narrative reason for separation currently reflected on her discharge documents inaccurately reflects the reason for her discharge and should be corrected to reflect Adjustment Disorder.  Accordingly, we recommend the applicant's 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 that she was discharged on 19 December 2001 with a narrative reason for separation of "Adjustment Disorder" rather than "Personality Disorder", and a separation code of "JFY" rather than "JFX".

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-02847 in Executive Session on 5 Jun 08 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 31 Aug 07, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOS, dated 24 Oct 07.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 7 Nov 07, w/atchs.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/JA, dated 15 Feb 08.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 22 Feb 08.
   Exhibit G.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 1 May 08
   Exhibit H.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 May 08.