AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00397	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 26 May 15 in accordance with AFI 36-3207 with an Honorable discharge for Personality Disorder.  The applicant appealed for a change to the discharge narrative reason.    

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), with counsel, at Joint Base Andrews, MD, on 10 Oct 17.  No witnesses were present.  A number of additional exhibits were submitted prior to the hearing.  

Pursuant to 10 USC §1553, the board included a member who is a clinical psychiatrist with training on mental health issues connected with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), and training on mental health disorders.

The attached examiner’s brief (provided to applicant only), extracted from available service records, contains pertinent data regarding the circumstances and character of the applicant’s military service. 
  
FINDING:  The DRB voted 4 to 1 to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority. 

DISCUSSION:  The DRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the characterization of service and the narrative reason for discharge if such changes are warranted.  If applicable, the board can also change the applicant’s reenlistment eligibility code.  In reviewing discharges, the board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the applicant.  The board completed a thorough review of the circumstances that led to the discharge and the discharge process to determine if the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.  

The applicant’s record of service included a Letter of Counseling and Letter of Admonishment, both for failure to obey an order or regulation.  He also received a referral OPR for refusing to complete assigned tasks and disruptive behavior that negatively impacted the mission.  

Since the applicant’s request for relief was based primarily on matters relating to a mental health condition, the board considered the case based on the liberal consideration standards required by guidance from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and 10 USC §1553.

The applicant stated the discharge narrative reason should be changed since he believed the diagnosis of “Personality Disorder” was not grounded in sound testing.  He contended “Adjustment Disorder” was a more appropriate narrative reason.  The applicant also argued the tests he completed to determine his disorder were not the appropriate ones and command influence was exerted upon the medical professional who made the diagnosis. 

After a thorough review of the record, the board did not find evidence of impropriety.  However, it found evidence the discharge was inequitable.  It determined relief was warranted based on clear evidence the applicant’s mental health conditions negatively impacted his ability to serve satisfactorily.    

CONCLUSION:  The board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated an impropriety.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the narrative reason was inequitable; therefore, the board majority voted to change it to Secretarial Authority. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 3 Nov 17.  If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to:  SAF/MRBR (CITU), 550-C Street West, Suite 41, Randolph AFB, TX  78150-4743.
  
Attachment:
Examiner's Brief