RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04658 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

Her honorable discharge for a personality disorder be changed to 
a medical retirement. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

She requested such a change in 2002. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

According to the applicant’s military personnel records, the 
applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 11 Jun 97. 

 

On 14 Apr 88, the applicant’s commander notified her of his 
intention to recommend her discharge. The reason for the action 
was a 9 Mar 98 recommendation by the attending psychiatrist 
indicating the applicant be administratively discharged on the 
basis of the following diagnoses: Primary diagnosis of 
Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, manifested by 
long-standing and maladaptive pattern of cognition, affectivity, 
interpersonal function and impulse control which was so severe 
it significantly impaired her ability to function in a military 
environment; Dysthymia, manifested by chronic low self esteem, 
problems with decision making and fatigue which existed prior to 
entry on active duty; Occupational problem, manifested by 
dissatisfaction with current duties and difficulty performing to 
military standards of conduct. 

 

On 14 Apr 98, after consulting with legal counsel, the applicant 
acknowledged receipt of the action and waived her right to 
submit statements on her behalf. On 14 Apr 98, the case file 
was found legally sufficient and the discharge authority 
directed the applicant be furnished an honorable discharge. On 
28 May 98, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge 


with a narrative reason for separation of Personality Disorder 
and was credited with 11 months and 18 days of total active 
service. 

 

The military Disability Evaluation System (DES), established 
under Title 10, United States Code (USC), to maintain a fit and 
vital fighting force, can only offer compensation for those 
service incurred diseases or injuries which specifically 
rendered a member unfit for continued active service and were 
the cause for career termination. The mere presence of a 
medical condition does not qualify a member for military 
disability evaluation and compensation. However, Personality 
Disorder, is not a considered a service incurred disability and 
is listed among conditions not considered disabilities, under 
DoD Instruction 1332.38, Physical Disability Evaluation. 
Likewise, the condition is also listed among Mental Disorders, 
under AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, which do 
not qualify for referral through the disability evaluation 
system (DES) and, as such, qualify for administrative discharge. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

 

1. The applicant has not 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. The applicant 
contends she should be furnished a disability retirement in lieu 
of her administrative discharge for a personality disorder. 
However, after a thorough review of the evidence of record and 
the applicant’s complete submission, we find no evidence of an 
error or injustice that occurred in the discharge processing. 
Based on the available evidence of record, it appears the 
applicant’s discharge was consistent with the substantive 
requirements of the discharge regulation and within the 
commander's discretionary authority. Other than her own 
uncorroborated assertions, the applicant has provided no 
evidence whatsoever that would lead us to believe that she 
suffered from an unfitting condition that should have resulted 
in her referral into the military Disability Evaluation System 
(DES). Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, 
we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this 
application. 

 

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-04658 in Executive Session on 6 Sep 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 



 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 Nov 11. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.