AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00286	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 4 Nov 11 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 18 Jan 18.  

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), but declined and requested the board be completed based on a records only review.  The applicant was not represented by counsel.    

Pursuant to 10 USC §1553, the board included a member who is a psychiatrist with training on mental health issues connected with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), and training on mental health disorders.

The attached examiner’s brief (provided to applicant only), extracted from available service records, contains pertinent data regarding the circumstances and character of the applicant’s military service. 
  
FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to approve the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable.

DISCUSSION:  The DRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the characterization of service and the narrative reason for discharge if such changes are warranted.  If applicable, the board can also change the applicant’s reenlistment eligibility code.  In reviewing discharges, the board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the applicant.  The board completed a thorough review of the circumstances that led to the discharge and the discharge process to determine if the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.  

Due to evidence of multiple mental health conditions found in the applicant’s medical record, the board considered the case based on the liberal consideration standards required by guidance from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and/or 10 USC §1553.

The applicant’s record of service included one Article 15, one Letter of Reprimand, and three Letters of Counseling.  His misconduct included:  making a false official statement to a special agent, communicating a threat to other Airmen, failure to report for mandatory training, failure to show for a mandatory appointment, and failing a fitness assessment. 

The applicant contended the discharge was inequitable because he was involved in a vehicle accident that resulted in a TBI and he suffered from PTSD following a deployment to Haiti.  He claimed his misconduct was a result of these invisible wounds he sustained while serving.

After a thorough review of the record, the board did not find evidence of impropriety.  However, it concluded the discharge was inequitable and determined relief was warranted since the applicant’s mental health issues mitigated the reason for discharge, and negatively impacted his ability to serve satisfactorily.  While the board did not condone the applicant’s misconduct, it determined there was a nexus between it and his mental health conditions.  

CONCLUSION:  The board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated an impropriety.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the discharge was inequitable.  Therefore, the board determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service was more accurately reflected by an Honorable discharge.  The board did not change the discharge narrative reason or the reenlistment eligibility code.    

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 2 Mar 18.  If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to:  SAF/MRBR (CITU), 550-C Street West, Suite 41, Randolph AFB, TX  78150-4743.
  
Attachment:
Examiner's Brief