IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 June 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120000126 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of his Social Security Number (SSN) on his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty). 2. The applicant states, in effect, his DD Form 214 needs to be corrected so that he can apply for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his SSN card. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 9 August 1974. 3. The applicant’s record contains a DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States) prepared on 9 August 1974 and a DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Records) prepared on 14 August 1974 that list his SSN using the number he now claims is incorrect (xxx-xx-x44x). 4. The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was honorably discharged in the rank of private/E-1 on 28 January 1975, after completing a total of 4 months and 20 days of active military service. Item 3 (SSN) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 lists the SSN he now claims is incorrect. 5. The applicant provides a SSN card containing the SSN he now claims is correct (xxx-xx-x22x). 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The regulation in effect at the time of the applicant's separation stated the DA Form 2-1 and documents on file in the MPRJ were the primary sources for information for entries on the DD Form 214. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant’s request to correct the SSN listed on his DD Form 214 has been carefully considered. However, there is insufficient information to support this claim. 2. The evidence of record confirms the applicant entered, served and was separated from active duty using the SSN he claims is incorrect. As a result there is an insufficient evidentiary basis to support granting the requested relief. 3. The ABCMR does not grant request for correction of SSN for the purpose of making the applicant eligible for VA benefits. 4. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records. The information contained therein should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created and under which the military service was performed. Therefore, the SSN listed in the applicant's military records should not be changed at this time. 5. This Record of Proceedings will be filed in his military record in order to provide clarity and to deal with any confusion that may arise regarding the difference in the SSN under which he performed his military service and was separated vice the SSN he indicates he now uses. Filing the Board's decisional document will also guarantee the historical integrity of the applicant's military record. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ____X____ ___X_____ ____X____ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. _______ _ X_______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120000126 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120000126 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1