RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-01736 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her records be corrected to reflect she was discharged for a service connected disability. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has awarded her disability compensation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to the trauma she experienced while on active duty. In support of her appeal, the applicant provided a copy of her DD Form 214 and her DVA Decision letter. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 19 May 72, the applicant commenced her enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 12 Jun 72, the applicant’s commander notified her that he was recommending her for discharge from the Air Force for inadequate personality. Her basic military training (BMT) records documented her poor performance and lack of motivation to function in a military environment. It was noted the applicant’s inadequate personality was manifested by her inability to handle stressful situations, form meaningful relationships, and express her feelings. She had a history of difficulty in dealing with stress. Her records further revealed she took an overdose of aspirin in an attempt to express anger toward her father. It was further noted that the applicant did not have a disqualifying medical or psychiatric disorder under the provisions of Air Force Manual (AFM) 35-4. On 12 Jun 72, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the action and waived her right to have her case evaluated by an officer and to submit a statement in her behalf. On 27 Jun 72, the applicant was honorably discharged with a narrative reason for discharge “Convenience of the Government,” with a separation code of 41G (Inadequate Personality). She was credited with one month and nine days of total active service. The DVA is authorized to offer compensation for any medical condition established as service connected, regardless of intervening time since discharge, its impact upon a member's retainability, or the actual narrative reason for separation. The DVA also conducts periodic re-evaluations for the purpose of adjusting the disability rating as the level of impairment from a given medical condition may vary over the lifetime of the veteran. The DVA rating decision provided by the applicant reveals she was awarded a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD effective 10 Jan 03 and after reevaluation her percentage increased to 70 percent effective 13 Jun 12. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The applicant contends that since the DVA granted her a service connection for PTSD that her reason for discharge should be changed. There is insufficient documentation to support the applicant’s request. The applicant’s separation code of "41G" accurately reflects the reason for her discharge. Her records indicate her performance was unsatisfactory due her lack of motivation and poor attitude. She was setback to provide her an opportunity to improve her performance; however, all attempts to rehabilitate her met with negative results. She did not meet the minimum requirements for retention due to her long history of difficulty of dealing with stress. The mental health evaluation noted no evidence of mental illness. Her records further indicated that due to her negative attitude and inability to apply herself, she would not become a productive member of the Air Force. Based on the documentation on file in the applicant’s master personnel records, her discharge, to include the reason and authority for her separation, was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the discretion of discharge authority. The applicant has not provided any evidence or identified any error or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR 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 24 Jul 13 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. ________________________________________________________________ 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 injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. While we are not unmindful of the seriousness of the purported circumstances that precipitated the applicant’s separation in 1972, we find no basis to conclude that the action of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to resolve doubt in her favor and grant service connection for her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) some 30 years after the events in question is sufficient to undermine the basis for her discharge. Therefore, in the absence of to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ 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-2013-01736 in Executive Session on 4 Feb 13 and 14 Apr 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 3 Mar 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 14 Jun 13. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Jul 13. 1 2