AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00529

The applicant was discharged on 11 December 2020 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with an Entry Level/Uncharacterized discharge for Failed Medical/Physical Procurement Standards.  The applicant appealed for a change to her discharge narrative reason.  The Board was conducted on 4 January 2022.  

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 her discharge characterization to Honorable, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C or 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 made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  She claimed she suffered a vertebral artery dissection while attending basic military training which led to a cerebral stroke.  She further claimed the long term residual effects have negatively impacted her quality of life as she now suffers from both depression and anxiety.  She been given a 100% disability rating by the VA and requested her narrative reason be changed to medical disability.

Due to the applicant’s claim of a mental health condition and traumatic brain injury (TBI), 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.  

A review of the medical record revealed the applicant’s medical condition existed prior to service.  According to DoDI 6130.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services her condition is disqualifying for military service.  Furthermore, there was no evidence she was discharged for a mental health condition, or had any mental health conditions in service that caused or mitigated her discharge.  

The applicant requested the reason for her discharge be changed to a medical disability separation.  This request is outside the scope of the DRB and the Board recommends she exercise her right to apply to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records.  
 
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 her request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 17 January 2022.  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  
Instructions on how to appeal an AFDRB decision can be found at 
https://afrbaportal.azurewebsites.us

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief (Applicant Only)