RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03800 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her entry-level separation and narrative reason of “Personality Disorder” be changed to a medical discharge with a sleep disorder and/or narcolepsy narrative reason. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 1. She is trying to gain employment through her state and would like to have her military records corrected to show the proper diagnosis. 2. She was not aware of her medical condition at the time of her discharge, but now believes that her discharge was inequitably due to her excessive sleepiness and sleepwalking. However, she was classified as having a personality disorder that was later found to be due to her narcolepsy illness. 3. At the time of her discharge, she was told that due to her sleepwalking disorder that she was not fit for duty and would not be allowed to continue serving in the Air Force. It was during Basic Military Training (BMT) that she began experiencing difficulties adjusting to not getting enough sleep due to the military regimen. She had never experienced anything like this before. 4. In 2007, she was finally diagnosed as having narcolepsy with cataplexy and obstructive sleep apnea/hypoxemia syndrome. These symptoms were seen as a mental/mood disorder rather than a neurological disorder. Since her diagnosis, she must take Adderall daily in order to stay alert. She wishes she had known sooner about her condition; however, her doctor explained to her that it was common to be diagnosed later on in life. In support of her request, the applicant provides a copy of her DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States, a copy of her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, a letter from the Disorders Center and the Salem Hospital Medical Director, excerpts from her medical records, a personal statement, her discharge package, WHMC Form 2999, Mental Health Evaluation of Active Duty Air Force Personnel, and a memorandum from the Behavioral Analysis Service. Her complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted into the Air Force Reserve on 1 Mar 05. The applicant was notified by her commander that she was recommending her for discharge from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, Chapter 5, Section 5B, Involuntary Convenience of the Government, Paragraph 5.11, Conditions that Interfere with Military service, specifically Paragraph 5.11.9, under Mental Disorders. The applicant was diagnosed with: Axis I – Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and Sleepwalking Disorder. Axis II – Deferred. Axis III – Refer to applicant’s medical records. After a legal review, the Chief of Adverse Actions found the case to be legally sufficient. The applicant received entry- level separation with a narrative reason for separation of Personality Disorder effective 25 Mar 05 after serving 25 days on active duty. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force, which is at Exhibit B. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial of changing her reason for discharge to medical, but alternatively recommends offering her Secretarial Authority. In this respect, the Medical Consultant agrees with the implicit contention that her sleepwalking and/or sleep apnea were the result of her inability to adapt to the military service-training environment that resulted in her referral for a mental health evaluation. However, her reported and witnessed crying spells in response to her difficulties, added the new dimension of her adaptability to military service. Consequently, she was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder. The Medical Consultant finds that either of the aforementioned diagnoses could have resulted in the applicant’s involuntary discharge. However, since the conditions became disqualifying within 180 days of service, by policy she would have been vulnerable for the entry-level separation that she received. Moreover, since neither condition would have been considered compensable disabilities; with both, more likely than not, existing prior to service; noting their clinical expression so soon after entering active military service; and the self-report of observations made by her spouse. With respect to the applicant’s narcolepsy and cataplexy spells, although listed in the VA rating schedule as compensable conditions, these episodes were predominantly displayed after the applicant’s release from service in 2007. The Medical Consultant firmly recommends granting some relief as the applicant was never diagnosed with a Personality Disorder, noting that this diagnosis was the Default entry made on the DD Forms 214 for individuals discharged for what was determined to be an unsuitable mental disorder. Therefore, rather than burden the applicant with sleepwalking on her DD Form 214, or Adjustment Disorder, the latter which has likely resolved since her release from service, the Medical Consultant recommends changing her narrative reason to Secretarial Authority. The complete Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit B. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 22 Jan 14 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has received no response. ________________________________________________________________ _ 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice warranting a measure of relief. We note the BCMR Medical Consultant’s recommendation that the applicant’s narrative reason should be changed to reflect Secretarial Authority. After a thorough review of the documentation submitted, we agree with the BCMR Medical Consultant’s recommendation to change her narrative reason to “Secretarial Authority” since she was never diagnosed with a “Personality Disorder.” Accordingly, we recommend the records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ _ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 25 March 2005, she was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36- 3208, paragraph 1.2, Secretarial Authority with Separation Program Designator (SPD) Code of KFF. ________________________________________________________________ _ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-03800 in Executive Session on 22 Apr 14, 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 5 Aug 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 17 Jan 14. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Jan 14. Panel Chair 4 3