Docket No. 2453-21
 
Dear 

This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to Section 
1552 of Title 10, United States Code. After careful and conscientious consideration of relevant 
portions of your naval record and your application, the Board for Correction of Naval Records 
(Board) found the evidence submitted insufficient to establish the existence of probable material 
error or injustice. Consequently, your application has been denied. 

Although your application was not filed in a timely manner, the Board found it in the interest of 
justice to waive the statute of limitations and consider your case on its merits. A three-member 
panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 13 May 2021. 
The names and votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon request. Your 
allegations of error and injustice were reviewed in accordance with administrative regulations 
and procedures applicable to the proceedings of this Board. Documentary material considered 
by the Board consisted of your application, together with all material submitted in support 
thereof, relevant portions of your naval record and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

A review of your record shows that you entered active duty with the Navy on 6 February 1989 
after reporting no history of mental health issues on your pre-enlistment report of medical 
history. On 7 February 1989, you were admitted to the Naval Hospital Great Lakes Psychiatric 
Department after reporting headaches and inability to cope with basic training. During your 
treatment, your mother was contacted and provided your preservice history of mental health 
symptoms that commenced approximately six months prior to entering active duty. During your 
treatment, you showed signs of delusion resulting in a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder 
Mania. As a result of your diagnosis, a medical board was convened on 11 March 1989 and 
concluded your Bipolar Affective Disorder Mania existed prior to your entry into the Navy and 
that you should be discharged for erroneous enlistment. On 31 March 1989, you were 
discharged with an uncharacterized entry level separation for erroneous enlistment consistent 
with your medical board findings. 

The Board carefully considered your argument that your narrative reason for separation should 
be changed to disability since you suffered a nervous breakdown while in basic training and did 
not suffer from any preservice mental health symptoms. Unfortunately, the Board disagreed 
with your rationale for relief. The Board concluded the preponderance of the evidence supports 
the findings of your medical board that your Bipolar Affective Disorder Mania preexisted your 
entry into the Navy and should have disqualified you from enlistment had it been identified prior 
to your enlistment. The Board relied on the medical board report that identifies your mother as a 
reliable source that documents you suffered from preservice mental health symptoms. 
Additionally, the Board considered the fact you became symptomatic the second day of active 
duty. This led the Board to conclude that, it was more likely than not, that your Bipolar 
Affective Disorder Mania existed prior to your commencement of active duty. Based on these 
findings, the Board determined the Navy appropriately discharged you for erroneous enlistment. 
Accordingly, the Board found insufficient evidence of error or injustice to warrant a change to 
your record. 

The Board determined that your personal appearance, with or without counsel, would not 
materially add to their understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the Board determined 
that a personal appearance was not necessary and considered your case based on the evidence of 
record. 

You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon submission of new matters, 
which will require you to complete and submit a new DD Form 149. New matters are those not 
previously presented to or considered by the Board. In this regard, it is important to keep in 
mind that a presumption of regularity attaches to all official records. Consequently, when 
applying for a correction of an official naval record, the burden is on the applicant to 
demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice. 

 

Sincerely, 
5/20/2021 
Deputy Director