RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00638

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His entry level separation be changed to an honorable or medical discharge.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He developed symptoms of Adjustment Disorder and Anxiety while in Basic Military Training (BMT) and had no prior history of this and as a result, he should receive a medical discharge.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 19 August 2014.

On 5 January 2015 the applicant’s commander notified him that she was recommending him for discharge from the Air Force for conditions that interfere with military service (Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood).  The reason for this action was that the commander received a Mental Health Evaluation memorandum dated 18 December 2014 from a Behavioral Analysis Service clinical psychologist, who diagnosed the applicant with Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood.  It was determined that this condition was so severe that the applicant’s ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired.  As a result, the applicant was removed from training and recommended for administrative discharge.  The applicant accepted and signed the Receipt of Notification Memorandum this date.

On 8 January 2015 the assistant staff judge advocate found the case legally sufficient and recommended the applicant for discharge.

On 14 January 2015 the discharge authority concurred with the recommendation and directed the applicant be discharged.

On 16 January 2015, the applicant was furnished an entry level separation, and was credited with 4 months and 28 days of active service.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPRs), which are attached at Exhibits C through E.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AETC/SGPS recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.

The applicant was seen by the BAS on nine occasions between 4 September 2014 and 18 December 2014 for problems adapting to military life.  It was noted he reported having symptoms of depression and anxiety for some time.  The clinical evaluation determined his adjustment disorder was so severe he could not complete training and he stated he understood the diagnoses and treatment plan.  Subsequently he was processed for an entry level separation.

Based on the documentation in the file the discharge to include the type of separation, SPD code, narrative reason for separation and character of service were appropriately administered and within the discretion of the discharge authority.  The applicant did not provide any evidence that an error or injustice occurred in the processing of the discharge.

A complete copy of the AETC/SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.

The applicant’s mental health evaluation report indicated that once he reached Security Forces Technical Training School, he began to report increased depressive symptoms related to the career field.  While he continued to feel that he was motivated for the Air Force and received favorable feedback about his performance on his CQ/administrative duties from his military training leaders, he demonstrated a repeated inability to maintain reasonable adjustment to Security Forces training and the military.  The report concluded that due to his continued difficulties adjusting to the environment and the severity of his stress response, it was in the best interest for all concerned to separate him from the Air Force.  As a result of the report, discharge action was initiated.  Therefore, the narrative reason separation and separation program designator (SPD) code are correct as indicated on the applicant’s DD Form 214. 

The character of service is also correct as indicated on the DD Form 214.  Airmen are given Entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days continuous active service.  The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service.  Therefore, the uncharacterized character of service on his DD Form 214 is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions.

The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the discretion of the discharge authority.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D.

The AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.

It is evident that during the enlistment process the applicant was not forthcoming about his past history of depression.  If one is to compare his answers on Pre-enlistment Report of Medical History, specifically question 17, where the applicant denied a history of depression, and his disclosure to the psychologist on 24 October “in middle school, he experienced severe depression with suicidal thoughts”, Board can easily see a huge discrepancy.  Therefore, omission of this information can be qualified as a fraudulent enlistment.  However, had the applicant disclosed such history during his enlistment; he could have potentially been disqualified for enlistment, or would have been allowed to enlist with a waiver; in which case his assignment to the Security Forces would have been less likely.

Addressing specifically the applicant’s implicit desire for a change of his uncharacterized character of service to Medical, this Psychiatric Advisor would like to point out that Adjustment Disorder has been, for decades, listed in Air Force and Department of Defense policies as a medical condition not considered a compensable disability by the military Disability Evaluation System.  Although a recent revision of Department of Defense policy [April 2013] now acknowledges that an individual with a Chronic Adjustment Disorder renders the individual eligible for processing via a Medical Evaluation Board, the Acute Adjustment Disorder [that is a diagnosis initially made based upon an identifiable stressor, usually lasting no more than 6 months] continues to be held as non-compensable and non-ratable by the Military Departments.  When it has been determined that an Acute Adjustment Disorder is so severe as to significantly interfere with an individual’s ability to perform military service, the member is susceptible for an involuntary discharge, under authority of AFI 36-3208.  

This consultant will not argue that the transition into the military is stressful, especially if Military Occupational Assignment (MOS) is undesirable; nevertheless, it should not result in depression with suicidal ideations in the healthy individual.  Applicant admitted to his therapist that he suffered from childhood depression and since he decompensated within the first 3 months of his service, this consultant opines that he had entered Military with a very fragile state of mind or he had a very poor distress tolerance or a genetic predisposition for the development of the psychiatric illness.  The applicant was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder by a military psychologist.  By Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV/V Adjustment Disorder is characterized by “Marked distress that is out of proportion to the severity or intensity of the stressor”.  The key phrase is “OUT OF PROPORTION”.  There is no argument that when bad/demanding/stressful things happen people get upset, it is a normal reaction, but it would not be diagnosed as an Adjustment Disorder.  This diagnosis is only applied when the response to stress is “OUT of PROPORTION” to what normally would be expected in that particular situation.  Adjustment Disorder is temporary condition and resolves with the removal of the offending agent and on review of records the Board can appreciate applicant’s improvement of mood every time he was removed from SF.

The applicant’s request to change his uncharacterized service characterization to Honorable is also not in accordance with current policies, particularly AFI 36-3808.  The applicant was given ELS/uncharacterized service characterization because his separation was initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service.  The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service.

A complete copy of the AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor’s evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 12 May 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit F).  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 timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force OPR’s and adopt their rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof that he has been the victim of an error or injustice.  We find no fault with the discharge process and the commander’s decision to discharge the applicant.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence 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-2015-00638 in Executive Session on 13 June 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Although   chaired the panel, in view of his unavailability,   has agreed to sign as Acting Panel Chair.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00638 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 17 January 2015, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AETC/SGPS, dated 3 April 2015. 
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 6 April 2015,
  w/atch.
	Exhibit E.  Memorandum, AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor,
  dated 11 May 2016.
	Exhibit F.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 12 May 2016.