AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING RECORD

, FIRST MIDDLE INITIAL)

GRADE	AFSN/SSAN

...'...""""........--,.......----  ---------------1-===---_.., --- -- --- -- _ _ _ _ ,'	,

·:---------------------------------,'

.------- ----- ---'

RECORD REVIEW

SI:

MEMBERS SITTING

x x x x

l'lllMBl:R

IS-SU--ES-------------------------------D-l:-X---- '

A93.10

HEARIN	A
S JUN 03

A42.00

l 0  ER A POINTIN
2	GE
3	LETIER OF NOTIFICATI N
4	BRIEF OF PERSONNEL FILE COUNSEL'S RELEASE TO THE BOARD
3	
OF

Change in Reason for Discharge to Secretarial Authority.

Advise applicant of the decision of the Board.

----------------------------------------------------------------------  ----- --- -----------<

SAF/MIBR
550 C STREET WEST, SUITE 40 RANDOLPH AFB, TX 78150-4742

AFHQ FORM 0-2077, JAN 00	(EF-V2)

SECRETARY OF TitE AIR FORCE PERSONNEL COUNCIL AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD
I 535 COMMAND DR, EE WING, 3m FLOOR
ANDREWS AFB, MD 20762-7002
Previous edition will be used.

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL RATIONALE	CASE NUMBER

FD2002-0051	

GENERAL:  The applicant appeals for a Change in Reason for discharge.

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), without counsel at Scott AFB, IL on June 5, 2003.  The following additional exhibit was submitted at the hearing:

Exhibit 5:  Applicant's contentions.

The attached brief contains available pertinent data on the applicant and the factors leading to the discharge. FINDINGS:   Change in Reason for discharge is approved.
The Board finds no evidence of record or that provided by the applicant, which substantiates an impropriety or inequity that would justify a Change in Reason for discharge. However the Board found it inappropriate to characterize the applicant's Reason for discharge as a Personality Disorder, when in fact, his diagnosis is Adjustment Disorder.

ISSUES: The applicant was discharged with an Honorable Discharge for a Mental Disorder. His Reason for Discharge, as designated on his DD Form 214 is Personality Disorder, a term which is utilized under existing policy, for discharge for a Mental Disorder. The applicant feels this designation unfairly stigmatizes him for a condition, which he feels was only temporary. The DRB concurs that the designation of Personality Disorder does not accurately reflect the applicant's actual medical diagnosis. The applicant also feels he has since recovered from his illness and desires to be able to return to active military service, citing that he is better capable of handling stressors, if placed into similar circumstances in the future, such as a recurrence of his family financial or medical problems. The Board considered the circumstances leading to the member's requirement for hospitalization and his need to be reentered to inpatient care within a short period for suicidal prevention measures, as significant in his case. The DRB acknowledges the member's condition has now been stabilized and he no longer requires use of prescribed medications. However, the DRB opines the applicant's condition poses an unreasonable risk for a recurrence or exacerbation over an indeterminate period, particularly if he is again exposed to the stressors attendant with military service under austere environmental conditions, while concurrently experiencing significant personal stressors, such as concerns for the financial and medical well-being of his family.

CONCLUSIONS:
The Discharge Review Board concludes that the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process.

However, in view of the foregoing findings, the Board also concludes the applicant's reason for discharge should be changed to Secretarial Authority.

Attachment: Examiner's Brief