AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2020-00282	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 7 May 13 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 14 May 21.  

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/ psychologist 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’s record of service included four Letters of Reprimand, and two Letters of Counseling.  His misconduct included:  without proper authority, departed local area and engaged in high risk activity; failure to obey a direct order; violated curfew; derelict in the performance of duties; failure to maintain respectful and professional behavior while in a training environment (x2); and failure to adhere to dormitory cleanliness standards. 

Due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and 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 the discharge was inequitable because he suffered from PTSD, depression, and a TBI.  The applicant states that that he suffered a separated left shoulder, a back injury, a left clavicle injury, and brain scarring due to a TBI.  He believes the multiple injuries and the TBI led to depression.  The applicant states that he sank deeper into depression after his grandfather had a series of medical emergencies and was finally diagnosed with MSA.  The applicant states the TBI contributed to memory-loss, irritability, a change in his personality, a visible change in his gait, and anxiety.  He believes the mixture of the TBI, physical injuries, his grandfather’s health, disciplinary actions, and his removal from flying status contributed to PTSD.  The applicant was diagnosed with depression and PTSD by the Department of Veteran Affairs, and has been receiving treatment.  The applicant submitted medical records that document a history of moderate brain injury at age 14, age 17, and the brain injury in January 2012 with 30 minutes of amnesia.  

The DRB determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change his negative behavior.  The board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the positive contributions he made during his Air Force career.    

After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist/ psychologist, the DRB found no conclusive indication that any mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's misconduct or discharge.

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 3 Jun 20.  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)