AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00739	
					
The applicant was discharged on 30 May 2018 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level/Uncharacterized discharge for Erroneous Entry (Other).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 12 Feb 2020.  

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 deny 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 contends that he did not have a pre-existing mental health condition.  He was seen by a mental health provider following suicidal statements he made.  After examining the applicant, the provider determined the applicant had a pre-existing mental health condition that required a waiver for entry into the military, and a waiver was not granted.  After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist, the DRB found no conclusive evidence to dispute the applicant’s contention, and determined pre-existing mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's discharge.  Under DoDI 6130.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services, under Learning, Psychiatric, and Behavioral Condition, history of mental health conditions or disorders prior to and during service are considered disqualifying conditions for induction into military service.  Liberal consideration is also not applied to the applicant’s petition due to his reason for ELS discharge being exempt for consideration under this policy. 

CONCLUSION:  The board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge.  Therefore, the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate and his request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 19 Feb 2020.  If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to:  

Air Force Review Boards Agency
Attn: Discharge Review Board
3351 Celmers Lane
Joint Base Andrews, NAF Washington, MD 20762-6602  

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief (Applicant Only)