MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           29 March 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999028475

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Robert J. McGowan		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		Chairperson	
	Mr. Mark D. Manning		Member	
	Mr. James P. Steuve		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That he be given Veterans Administration (VA) benefits.

APPLICANT STATES:  That he has Sickle Cell Anemia; that he had it when he entered the Army; that his illness was aggravated by his military service.  In support of his application, he provides a handwritten letter dated 6 May 1999, a statement from a prison doctor stating that the applicant has Sickle Cell Anemia, and a copy of an unidentified newspaper article about Sickle Cell Anemia.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

He applied to enlist in the Regular Army for 3 years.  He was given a medical examination on 16 January 1978 and did not indicate that he had any unusual medical problems on his medical history form.  He was found to be acceptable for enlistment.  He enlisted on 21 March 1978 for training as a petroleum supply specialist.

The applicant was sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for basic training.  He immediately began experiencing difficulty keeping up with the physical demands of basic training.  He was a frequent visitor to sick call and was evaluated by medical personnel at Moncrief Army Hospital where he was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.  He also stated to medical personnel that he did not want to continue in the Army; that he did not think he could perform the physical work necessary to be a soldier.

On 3 April 1978, the applicant’s commander initiated action to separate him under the provisions of the Trainee Discharge Program (TDP), paragraph 5-33, Army Regulation 635-200.  He was advised of his rights and acknowledged same.  He indicated that he did not desire to make a statement or submit a rebuttal to his proposed separation, and he stated that he did not desire a separation medical examination.  The approving authority approved his administrative separation and he was honorably discharged on 12 April 1978.  He had 22 days of creditable service and no lost time.

Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 5, paragraph 5-31 of that regulation, in effect at the time, provided, in pertinent part, for the separation of personnel in an initial entry status (less than 179 days of service) because of an inability to become a decent soldier.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record, the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

2.  The applicant has provided documentation to show that he has Sickle Cell Anemia, an inherited, chronic blood disease in which the red blood cells become crescent shaped and function abnormally.  This was a pre-existing medical condition that was apparently unknown to the applicant and undiscovered during the physical examination process.  There is no evidence that this condition was aggravated by this short period of service.

3.  Eligibility for veteran's benefits does not fall within the purview of the Army Review Boards Agency.  Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__rgh___  ___mdm__  __jps___  DENY APPLICATION

						Karl F. Schneider
				     Director, Army Review Boards Agency

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999028475	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000329	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	DIRECTOR	
ISSUES         1.	110.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.