Docket No: 2426-20  
Ref: Signature Date  
From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:  Secretary of the Navy  

Subj: REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD 

Ref:  (a) 10 U.S.C. §1552 
Encl: (1) DD Form 149 
      (2) Subject's naval record (excerpts) 

1. Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Petitioner, filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting that his Social Security number (SSN) be changed.  He alleged that numbers were transposed and he cannot get Veterans Administration benefits due to the resulting confusion. 

2.  The Board, consisting of reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 19 May 2020, and pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, relevant portions of his naval records, applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. 

3.  The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record pertaining to Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice finds as follows: 

a. Before applying to this Board, Petitioner exhausted all administrative remedies available under existing law and regulations within the Department of the Navy. 

b. Although enclosure (1) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interests of justice to review the application on its merits. 

c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active service on 13 January 1986. He was discharged on 8 April 1994 with an honorable discharge and his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) indicates the last four numbers of his SSN as 

d. Petitioner submitted his 2017 tax return that shows the last four numbers of his SSN as 

CONCLUSION 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes that Petitioner’s request warrants relief.  Additionally, the Board reviewed his application under the guidance provided in reference (a).  Specifically, the Board considered whether his application was the type that was intended to be covered by these policies.  The Board's decision is based on Petitioner’s contention that he cannot access VA benefits until his SSN matches his military records.  

RECOMMENDATION 

In view of the foregoing, the Board finds the existence of an injustice warranting the following corrective action. Petitioner’s naval record be corrected to show that the last four numbers of his SSN are Petitioner be issued a new DD Form 214. A copy of this report of proceedings be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. No further relief be granted. Upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner's application was received by the Board on 12 March 2020. 

4.  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. 

5.  Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedures of the Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulation, Section 723.6(e)) and having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing corrective action, taken under the authority of reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.