RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-05047

   						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her separation program designator (SPD) code, type of discharge, and narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder,” on her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be changed. 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was treated for depression and anxiety and returned to duty.  She was not aware of any diagnosis of personality disorder.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 2 Mar 10.

On 24 Sep 15, the applicant’s commander notified her he was recommending her for an involuntary discharge due to a condition which interfered with military service.  Specifically, she had been diagnosed with a “personality disorder.”  The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification that she had the right to consult counsel and to submit statements on her own behalf.  The case was subsequently reviewed and determined to be legally sufficient.  

On 21 Oct 15, the discharge authority directed the applicant be discharged with an Honorable discharge based upon having a personality disorder.  

On 9 Nov 15, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, with a narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder,” and SPD code of “JFX,” and RE code of “2C,” and was credited with five years, eight months, and eight days of active service.   

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2N recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  Personality disorder is considered unsuiting for further military separation and is subject to administrative separation as in accordance with AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, if it impacts a member’s ability to satisfactorily perform the duties.  

In Sep 15, an initial Review in Lieu of (RILO) Medical Evaluation Board pertaining to the applicant’s medical conditions was presented to Medical Retention Standards (DP2NP).  Her records indicate she was treated for anxiety and depression and returned to duty, however, the majority of the member’s distress and impairment was attributed exclusively to the member’s personality disorder and not to her depression or anxiety.  The member’s commander made the decision to proceed with administrative discharge actions in regards to the personality disorder.  It is possible the member was not aware the provider had included her personality disorder information for consideration, but personality disorder was considered the member’s primary condition.  Furthermore, all the documentation in the administrative discharge package the member and the member’s counsel signed clearly indicate the reason for her discharge was personality disorder.  Recommend the member’s record not be changed. 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2N evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 15 Jun 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor recommends placing the applicant on the temporary disability retirement list (TDRL), indicating there is evidence of an error or an injustice.  The Psychiatric Advisor finds it hard to believe a diagnosis of personality disorder, if present, would not have been considered by at least one of all the providers who saw this applicant over the five-year period of her career before her last few months in the military.  From the notes, it is clear her husband was being medically discharged and she was ready to end her career in the most expedient way possible.  Consequently, an administrative discharge was relatively quick as compared to a medical discharge.  

A personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture.  The enduring pattern is not better explained as a manifestation or consequence of another mental disorder.  The enduring pattern is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition (e.g., head trauma).  This translates to behaviors, which are outside the norm, in response to triggers such as stress.  These abnormal behaviors are then observable as distortion in perception, excessive emotional reactions or the lack of the same, inappropriate or strange interpersonal interactions and extremes in impulsivity.  In contrast, major depression, which is characterized by five or more specific symptoms presents during a two-week period and is a change from the previous functioning.  At least one of the symptoms is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.  The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.  The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or to another medical condition.

The applicant began experiencing depressive symptoms at the age of 12.  She entered the military and started experiencing depression again in 2012.  She was seen extensively between the end of 2014 and the end of 2015 to the point of 77 visits with a hospitalization and outpatient intensive therapy.  Her symptoms were clearly related to her depression and anxiety and not related to a distorted coping strategy.  The fact is her performance over the five-year period was outstanding.  She was also seen by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) in Jan 16 and the evaluator agreed with the majority of the military evaluators that she suffered from major depression moderate and anxiety.  It appears whatever motivation there was a misdiagnosis of this applicant.  

Recommend changing the record to reflect she was placed on the TDRL for her major depressive disorder, with a 30 percent disability rating under Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) code 9434; following which a TDRL re-evaluation should be conducted at the appropriate interval by a psychiatrist or PhD-level psychologist to determine the level of severity and stability of her medical condition.  

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the additional Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 19 May 17 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.  Sufficient 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.  We note the AFPC/DP2N recommendation for denial of the applicant’s request because the majority of her distress and impairment was attributed exclusively to her personality disorder and not to her depression or anxiety.  Conflictingly, we note the AFBCMR Psychiatric advisor’s recommendation and comments that the applicant’s symptoms were clearly related to her depression and anxiety and not related to a distorted coping strategy as confirmed by her outstanding performance over the five-year period of service.  After a review of the available evidence, we agree with the AFBCMR Psychiatric Advisor’s opinion and recommendation and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  While the applicant requested her SPD code, type of discharge, and narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder” on her DD Form 214 be changed, we are persuaded that additional relief beyond what the applicant requested is warranted.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show:

	a.  On 8 November 2015, she was found unfit to perform the duties of her office, rank, grade or rating by reason of physical disability incurred while she was entitled to receive basic pay; that the disability was not due to intentional misconduct or willful neglect; that the disability was not incurred during a period of unauthorized absence; and that the disability was not the direct result of armed conflict or caused by an instrumentality of war.

	b.  On 9 November 2015, she was not discharged from active duty, but rather, effective 10 November 2015, her name was placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) with a disability rating of 30 percent due to a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder under Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) code 9434.

	c.  A re-evaluation should be conducted at the appropriate interval by a psychiatrist or PhD-level psychologist to determine the level of severity and stability of her medical condition.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-05047 in Executive Session on 22 Jun 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 23 Nov 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2N, dated 22 Apr 16, w/atch.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Jun 16.
Exhibit E.  Memorandum, BCMR Psychiatric Advisor, dated 19 May 17. 
Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 May 17.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.