RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01562 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His reentry (RE) code and separation code be changed to allow him to reenter the military. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He believes he was misdiagnosed by the Air Force as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is something you develop early in life and would still affect a person throughout their life. However, he did well in high school, graduating with honors and received the Presidential Academic Excellence Award. While attending technical school he drank 3-4 energy drinks to stay awake in class and failed two academic tests. Because he drank these drinks, he became jittery; unfocused, and wired. After he failed these tests, he was referred to the mental health clinic for an evaluation. It was determined he had severe ADHD and was recommended for discharge. Upon returning home, he spoke with a recruiter about reenlisting; however, the recruiter told him he would have to be reevaluated and seek proper treatment, if needed. After a civilian doctor tested him, the tests results did not show any signs of him having ADHD. The test results stated that the original diagnosis was likely due to caffeine. As such, he believes his discharge was invalid. He has held and maintained two jobs over the past four years; at times working both jobs in the same day. In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement, a copy of a letter from his supervisor, excerpts of his civilian medical records, excerpts from his master personnel records, and a copy of his congressional request. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force on 19 May 09 in the grade of airman first class (E-3). He received an honorable discharge on 17 Dec 09 after serving 6 months and 29 days on active duty. On 21 Apr 10, the applicant sent a letter to his Congressman requesting assistance in changing his RE code. Additional relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the BCMR Medical Consultant. Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in this Record of Proceedings. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The Medical Consultant states the applicant was prescribed at least a single daily dosage of medication, which he elected to discontinue and replaced it with his own treatment strategy of high-energy drinks. This would lead one to believe that the applicant has observed disorder symptoms preceding the caffeine usage. The applicant has been discharged from the Air Force for 26 cumulative months. The Medical Consultant is unaware of any post-service education pursuits or whether he has been further prescribed medications for a cumulative period of 24 months. The applicant was a member of the service and did not complete the Service-specific training period although he was prescribed medication for ADHD. Therefore, the Medical Consultant struggles with returning him to duty so soon after leaving military service, during a period in which he did not follow his doctor’s recommended treatment; his commander’s orders to follow-up, and he disclosed “difficulty adjusting to military life.” Nevertheless, the Medical Consultant opines the applicant’s character of service of “Mental Disorder” overstates his condition and ADHD does not fall under Mental Disorders. Therefore, the Medical Consultant recommends changing it to Secretarial Authority. However, the applicant has not met the burden of proof of an error or injustice that warrants a change of his RE code. The BCMR Medical Consultant’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant responded by requesting his reason for separation be changed to Secretarial Authority because he feels he has made a convincing argument that his RE code should be changed to something that will allow him to reenlist into at least a Reserve Component. His doctor’s statement shows that he did not have ADHD, at least from birth to 18 years of age. He believes the Air Force physicians did not accomplish appropriate ADHD testing. When testing for ADHD the person must have had at least 6 hours of sleep. Other information must be considered when diagnosing ADHD, such as data on one’s developmental, educational, behavioral functioning, third-party observation (e.g., parent or teacher reports), and additional testing that rules out other mental health problems (e.g., depression and anxiety) as causes for the attention and impulsive difficulties; none of this was accomplished when they diagnosed him with ADHD. He notes the Medical Consultant’s advisory points out he had a hard time adjusting to military life. However, the only way that could have been misinterpreted is when he said “I’m not happy with working all night, sleeping during the day and just being sent around to appointments in his off duty time for months on end is insane and the comment was just a personal comment and can’t be held to me as a personal label”. He does not believe his family problems should be held against him as a reason for not being able join the Armed Forces again; his family problems are under control. He believes plenty of time has gone by since he was discharged. He also believes his discharge was based on false accusations and false labels of having ADHD. As for his post- service education pursuits, he provides a transcript from UNCG with a 3.5 grade point average that proves he can test well, especially in a condensed 5-week semester during the summer while maintaining a part-time job. He has not used any prescribed drugs for ADHD because he does not have ADHD. He hopes his request, along with the supporting documentation, will be looked at based on what actually applies to him that will give him a better chance at getting his RE code and reason for separation changed. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends approval. In an Addendum advisory, the Medical Consultant states he recommends changing the applicant’s narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority. The Medical Consultant did not originally recommend a change in RE code largely based upon the relative short period of time since the applicant’s discharge, notwithstanding the potentially doubtful diagnosis he received. However, although the applicant did not provide a more detailed mental health evaluation, the Medical Consultant does not wish to hinder his opportunity to re-apply for entry into the military, with a possible waiver if required by AETC/SGP. Even if the applicant’s RE code is changed, his entry into the military will ultimately be determined by the Military Entrance processing Station officials and most likely require the same or additional medical documentation as presented in this forum. The BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit F. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 6 May 2011 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has received no response. _________________________________________________________________ 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 an injustice. After reviewing the evidence of record, it appears the RE code assigned to the applicant, at the time, was technically correct and in accordance with regulation. However, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the BCMR Medical Consultant and adopt his rationale expressed in his Addendum advisory as the basis for our decision that the applicant’s separation (SPD) code with corresponding narrative reason be changed to “Secretarial Authority” and the RE code be changed to “3K.” Whether or not he is successful in rejoining the military will depend on the needs of the respective military services at the time and our recommendation in no way guarantees he will be allowed to serve in the military again; this will simply afford him the opportunity to apply for a waiver to enlist in the armed services. Therefore, we recommend that his records be corrected as indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on December 17, 2009 he was honorably separated under the provisions of AFI 36- 3208, paragraph 1.2 (Secretarial Authority) with a separation code of JFF and a reentry code (RE) code of 3K. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-01562 in Executive Session on 5 May 11, 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 22 Apr 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 17 Mar 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Mar 11. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atchs. Exhibit F. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant Addendum, dated 28 Apr 11. Exhibit G. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 6 May 11.