AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00117	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 22 Apr 16 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Pattern of Misconduct.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 2 Aug 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.  

The applicant’s record of service included two Article 15’s, and one Letter of Reprimand.  His misconduct included:  incapacitated for the proper performance of duties due to wrongful previous overindulgence in intoxicating liquor; failure to go to appointed place of duty at prescribed time due to intoxication; drunk and disorderly and missed movement of flight. 

Due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol abuse, and multiple mental health condition’s 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 contended the discharge was inequitable because he was diagnosed with PTSD, adjustment disorder, alcohol use disorder, major depressive disorder, and general anxiety disorder while in service.  He believes his ongoing battle with alcohol abuse presents a nexus between PTSD and the misconduct.  The applicant states upon return from a deployment to Iraq, that he developed sever anxiety, depression, and had horrible nightmares every night.  After being released from the hospital due to a drinking binge, he was notified that his Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) was cancelled and he was pending administrative discharge.  The applicant submitted a character letter from the Recovery Care Coordinator (RCC) assigned to assisting him with the MEB process.  The RCC believes that the Air Force should have completed the MEB based on the severity of the applicant’s symptoms, and its similarity to other cases that were completed.  

The DRB determined that family and personal problems created matters in extenuation or mitigation of the reason for discharge that may have affected the applicant’s ability to serve satisfactorily.  The board concluded that the characterization of the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be inappropriate.

After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist, the DRB found conclusive indication that mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's misconduct or discharge.

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.    

The DRB results were approved by the board president on xx Aug 17.  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