RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00449 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The narrative reason for separation on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be changed to reflect “Conditions are a Disability (Medical),” rather than “Conditions not a Disability.” _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was diagnosed with paranoid personality disorder when he actually suffered from schizophrenia, paranoid type II. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 and an extract of a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) decision letter. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 14 Mar 06, the applicant contracted his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. He served as a Logistics Plans Apprentice. On 8 Sep 06, the applicant underwent a Command Directed Evaluation (CDE) due to exhibiting behavior which was suggestive of emotional trouble and possible paranoid ideation. Although, the applicant was deemed capable of performing his duties satisfactorily, his history of occupational problems associated with reported unusual behavior dictated prudence in evaluating future behavior. The CDE indicated that psychological/psychiatric evaluation and treatment should be considered should the applicant continue to demonstrate unusual, bizarre, or disruptive behavior. On 2 Nov 06, the applicant was evaluated by the Life Skills Support Center (LSSC) regarding his mental status. The applicant was exhibiting paranoid behavior and verbally threatening violence against others. The evaluation revealed he was experiencing paranoid delusions of persecution to include delusions that unnamed persons were conspiring to do him harm, and that he was surprised the he had not yet killed someone. LSSC found the applicant presented a significant risk of harm to himself and others, he was not fit for duty from a mental health perspective, and he met the criteria for paranoid personality disorder. It was further recommended the he be separated from military service. On 6 Nov 06, after interviewing the applicant, his supervisor, and witnesses, the First Sergeant noted the applicant’s behavior supported the evaluation by LSSC, indicating the applicant had received numerous records of counseling (RICs), Letters of Counseling (LOCs), Letters of Reprimand (LORs), and No Contact Orders regarding his behavior. The First Sergeant believed the applicant’s continued service would be counterproductive, not in his best interest of that of the Air Force, and recommended he be discharged as soon as possible. On 15 Nov 06, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force for a condition that interfered with military service (Personality Disorder). The specific reason for the discharge action was the applicant was diagnosed as having a paranoid personality disorder by mental health. On 15 Nov 06, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification letter; and, after consulting with military legal counsel, waived his right to submit statements in his behalf. A legal review was conducted and the staff judge advocate found the case legally sufficient to support separation and recommended discharge with an honorable discharge without probation and rehabilitation. On 15 Nov 06, the discharge authority directed an honorable discharge without probation and rehabilitation. On 7 Dec 06, the applicant was honorably discharged and credited with 8 months and 21 days of active service. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSOS recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his narrative reason for separation to “Conditions are a Disability (Medical).” However, they do recommend changing his narrative reason for separation and separation program designator (SPD) code to “Personality Disorder” and “JFX,” respectively, since the applicant was diagnosed with a Personality Disorder. The applicant’s narrative reason for separation and SPD code were incorrectly reflected on his DD Form 214; however, this does not infer the applicant’s separation was unjust or improper; rather his separation code on his DD Form 214 was incorrect. The complete AFPC/DPSOS evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 30 Sep 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting a change to the applicant’s narrative reason for separation to reflect he was separated for physical disability. The applicant contends his narrative reason for separation should be changed to reflect he was separated for physical disability. However, after a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we are not convinced he was the victim of an error or injustice in this regard. In this respect, we note the comments by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) indicating the applicant’s discharge for his personality disorder was appropriate to the circumstances and carried out in accordance with the prescribing directives. We note the applicant has provided documentation indicating the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has granted him service connection for his paranoid schizophrenia, an unfitting condition which is ratable by the Air Force and DVA disability systems. However, we do not find the DVA determination, made years after the applicant’s discharge, sufficient to convince us that his schizophrenia, not his personality disorder, should have been the basis for his discharge. Notwithstanding the above, we note the narrative reason for separation and SPD code issued in conjunction with the applicant’s discharge were erroneous; however, even though the Air Force OPR recommends changing the narrative reason and SPD code to reflect “Personality Disorder” and “JFX,” respectively, we do not believe that doing so is in the interests of justice. In this respect, we note the applicant did not request such a correction to his records, which, in our view could be considered adverse to the applicant. Accordingly, we believe that changing his narrative reason for separation and SPD code to reflect “Secretarial Authority” and “KFF” represents full and fitting relief. Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT, be corrected to show that at the time of his honorable discharge on 7 December 2006, the narrative reason for his separation was "Secretarial Authority," rather than "Conditions Not a Disability," and he was assigned a separation program designator code of "KFF," rather than "JFV". _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-00449 in Executive Session on 8 Nov 11 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 Oct 10, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ AFPC/DPSOS, dated 19 Sep 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 Sep 11. Panel Chair