AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00398	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 28 Apr 14 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Serious Offense).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 21 Jun 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 4 to 1 to approve the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable.  It also voted 4 to 1 to change his discharge narrative reason to “Secretarial Authority” and to change his reenlistment eligibility code to “2C.”

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 one Article 15 for feigning mental illness. 

Due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other 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 contended he developed sleeping issues, suffered from depression, became suicidal, and was eventually diagnosed with PTSD after observing video feeds from Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) missions.  He claimed his unit leadership falsely charged him with malingering and feigning mental illness because they believed he never had access to any of the RPA footage.  However, the applicant provided statements from numerous co-workers that indicated they did have access to the RPA footage while performing their duties.   

The DRB reviewed the entire service record and noted the applicant was diagnosed with PTSD and numerous other mental health conditions while serving.  Additionally, he has a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD from the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Therefore, the board concluded his mental health conditions negatively impacted his capability to serve satisfactorily and had a direct impact on his misconduct and 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 discharge, the discharge narrative reason should be changed to “Secretarial Authority,” and the reenlistment eligibility code should be changed to “2C.”   

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 29 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