RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-02958 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His character of service be changed from uncharacterized to honorable. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 1. He was not treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while in the Air Force. 2. He was available to sign his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty; however, he was never contacted. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 25 May 04, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. On 19 Oct 04, the applicant was diagnosed by a clinical psychologist with an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and Personality Disorder, not otherwise specified, with borderline features, as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), which was so severe that his ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired. On 20 Oct 04, the applicant was notified of his commander’s intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32, Air Force Military Training and AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, paragraph 5.11.9, Conditions that Interfere with Military Service. The commander recommended he receive an entry-level separation. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of discharge. At that time, the applicant waived his right to seek legal counsel and to submit a statement in his own behalf. 0n 22 Oct 04, the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate reviewed the case file and determined it was legally sufficient to support discharge. On 28 Oct 04, the discharge authority directed the applicant be discharged from the Air Force with an entry-level separation. He served five months and seven days of total active duty. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The Medical Consultant states following the applicant’s discharge from inpatient hospitalization, the Intensive Outpatient Program reported that he put forth minimal effort and made little to no progress. In fact, he was quoted as saying he did not wish to remain in the military because of difficulty adapting to the lifestyle and lack of motivation for treatment. The applicant reports he suffered PTSD resulting from the tragic loss of a family member which occurred while he was away at technical training school. However, throughout the treatment period both inpatient and ambulatory, the diagnosis of PTSD was never mentioned. Therefore, the diagnosis of PTSD would have been improper in this case and that his signs, symptoms and demonstrated behavior were consistent with an Adjustment Disorder. It should be noted that an Adjustment Disorder is not considered a compensable disability under AFI 36-3212, Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement and Separation and Department of Defense (DoD) 1332.38, Physical Disability Evaluation. Additionally, the Medical Consultant recommends the applicant’s narrative reason for discharge be changed to reflect the correct narrative reason “Adjustment Disorder.” The complete BCMR Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 14 Jan 13, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office had not received a response. _________________________________________________________________ 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice to warrant changing the characterization of his discharge. We are not persuaded by the evidence presented that the entry-level separation characterization received by the applicant should be changed to an honorable discharge. We note the uncharacterized separation is not an unfavorable reflection upon his military service nor should it be confused with other types of separations. Rather, an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service is used in those cases where the member has not yet completed six months of service at the time separation proceedings were, for whatever reason, initiated. Hence, the uncharacterized separation merely connotes the brevity of the applicant’s military service and may not, in and of itself, be viewed as a defamation of his character. 4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice to warrant changing the narrative reason for his separation to “Adjustment Disorder.” We note the applicant’s records indicate he was administratively separated under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, with the reason for his discharge being “Personality Disorder.” However, after reviewing the evidence of record, it appears the applicant’s narrative reason for separation inaccurately reflects the circumstances surrounding his discharge. Since the applicant was actually diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and Personality Disorder, the BCMR Medical Consultant recommends his narrative reason for separation be changed to “Adjustment Disorder,” along with the corresponding separation code of “JFX.” Accordingly, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the BCMR Medical Consultant to change the applicant’s records to reflect the more appropriate narrative reason for separation, which more accurately identifies the circumstances surrounding his separation. Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent 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 he was discharged on 1 Nov 04, with a narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder,” rather than “Personality Disorder” and a separation code of “JFY,” rather than “JFX.” ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-02958 in Executive Session on 19 Mar 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-02958 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Jun 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 10 Jan 13. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 14 Jan 13.