AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00172	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 19 Mar 02 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Honorable discharge for Personality Disorder.  The applicant appealed for a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  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 change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority.  However, the DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 3K.

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 contended the discharge was inequitable because he was misdiagnosed with personality disorder, instead of PTSD and Major Depression Disorder (MDD).  The applicant states that he is currently receiving 70% compensation from the Veteran’s Administration for PTSD and MDD.  

Per guidance from the Department of Defense, applicant requests to change the narrative reason should be approved when the original narrative reason was Personality Disorder and there were no aggravating factors in the record, such as misconduct.  The board determined the facts in this case met the criteria and therefore approved the applicant’s request.

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 discharge.

CONCLUSION:  The board determined the applicant’s discharge was improper based on the Department of Defense guidance.  Therefore, it determined the discharge narrative reason was more accurately reflected as “Secretarial Authority.” The board did not change the reenlistment eligibility code.

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 9 Aug 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