BOARD DATE: 10 NOVEMBER 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150004205 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 reconsideration of his earlier request to upgrade his general discharge to honorable. 2. The applicant states, in effect: * he attends Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) psychiatric appointments * it's been 27 years since he was discharged * he has been doing good * he has been disabled for 21 years due to nervous depression and schizophrenia 3. The applicant provides 245 pages of his VA medical records. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20040010903 on 27 September 2005. 2. The applicant provided numerous VA medical records (imaging, prescribed medications, vital statistics, laboratory results, and progress notes) showing he was diagnosed with paranoid-type schizophrenia in January 2012. These medical records are new evidence that merit consideration by the Board at this time. 3. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 January 1986 for a period of 3 years. He completed his training and was awarded military occupational specialty 31K (combat signaler). 4. In September 1987, nonjudicial punishment was imposed against him for using cocaine. 5. On 2 September 1987, his commander referred him to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program (ADAPCP) for evaluation. An initial screening and evaluation revealed his primary substance of abuse was alcohol. A medical examination conducted in October 1987 also confirmed the abuse of cocaine. He was enrolled in ADAPCP. 6. On 15 December 1987, the ADAPCP team determined the applicant had not made satisfactory progress toward successful rehabilitation and declared him a rehabilitation failure. 7. On 21 January 1988, discharge proceedings were initiated against him for alcohol or other drug abuse under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), chapter 9. The unit commander cited his alcohol and other drug abuse rehabilitation failure and recommended his discharge under honorable conditions (general). 8. On 27 January 1988, he consulted with counsel and acknowledged his rights. He voluntarily waived his rights contingent upon characterization of his service as no less than under honorable conditions. 9. On 28 January 1988, the separation authority approved the recommendation for separation and directed the issuance of a general discharge. 10. On 4 February 1988, he was discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 9, for alcohol abuse – rehabilitation failure. He completed 2 years, 1 month, and 3 days of creditable active service. His service was characterized as under honorable conditions (general). 11. There is no evidence showing he was diagnosed with any mental health condition prior to his discharge. 12. There is no indication in the available records that the applicant applied to the Army Discharge Review Board for a review of his discharge within its 15-year statute of limitations. 13. His VA medical records (imaging, prescribed medications, vital statistics, laboratory results, and progress notes) show he was diagnosed with paranoid-type schizophrenia in January 2012. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. a. Chapter 3 provides that an honorable discharge is a separation with honor and entitles the recipient to benefits provided by law. The honorable characterization is appropriate when the quality of the member's service generally has met the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate. b. Chapter 9 prescribes the authority and outlines the procedures for discharging individuals because of alcohol or other drug abuse. A member who has been referred to ADAPCP for alcohol/drug abuse may be separated because of inability or refusal to participate in, cooperate in, or successfully complete such a program if there is a lack of potential for continued Army service and rehabilitation efforts are no longer practical. DISCUSSION: 1. Although the applicant contends he has been disabled for 21 years due to nervous depression and schizophrenia, he provided medical documentation from the VA which shows he was diagnosed with schizophrenia in January 2012. There is no evidence which shows he was diagnosed with any mental health condition prior to his discharge in February 1988. 2. His record of service during his enlistment included one nonjudicial punishment for cocaine use and his failure to complete ADAPCP. His record of service is insufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge. 3. His administrative separation was accomplished in compliance with applicable regulations with no indication of procedural errors which would tend to jeopardize his rights. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150004205 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 0Enclosure 2 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150004205 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1