AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT CASE NUMBER FD-2020-00465 The applicant was discharged on 11 Jul 2016 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Civil Conviction). The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable. The board was conducted on 27 Aug 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/ 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. Due to evidence of 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 made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper. He requests an upgrade so he may have access to the VA Hospital and veterans benefits. He states he has earned these benefits and since he has been discharged from the service he has completed his court-ordered probation and domestic violence classes. A review of the military record revealed the applicant was convicted of two counts of domestic violence in Tucson City Court, AZ resulting from an altercation with a female. He was charged with physically assaulting the woman as well as damaging her personal property. He was sentenced to 24 months probation and ordered to pay restitution to the victim. His unit administratively discharged him for the civilian conviction. The DRB reviewed the applicant's entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge. The board understood the applicant's present service characterization renders him ineligible for Department of Veteran Affairs benefits. However, this is not a matter of inequity or impropriety which would warrant an upgrade. CONCLUSION: 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. 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 1 Sep 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)