AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2021-00280	
					
The applicant was discharged on 19 Apr 19 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level discharge for Condition, Not a Disability.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his reenlistment eligibility code.  The Board was conducted on 14 Sep 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, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 3K.

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 requests an upgrade so that he will be able to reenlist. He explains that after a concussion, he was sent to the incorrect medical specialist who had no knowledge of the concussion. He states that he was subsequently misdiagnosed with a general adjustment disorder without following the DSM-IV guidelines for evaluation before diagnosis. He further explains that the doctor abused his authority and diagnosed him after a 5 minute interaction.  The applicant states that the doctor did not ask about the concussion nor was aware of his concussed state. The applicant concludes that he was misdiagnosed, was a victim of malpractice and should have stayed in training. He wants to serve in special operations and is confident in his mental and physical abilities to serve with complete excellence. 

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 applicant disclosed a history of abuse prior to service that was being exacerbated by the military environment. There is no evidence the applicant disclosed a history of TBIs/concussions prior to or during his time in service and was not evaluated at any time for being hit in the head with a ruck sack. Additionally, there is no indication he has received any treatment for the abuse he referenced to the BAS provider.
In accordance with AFI 36-3208, Airmen are in entry level status during the first 180 days of continuous active military service.  If separated during this time, airmen customarily receive an Entry Level Separation that is not characterized.  Because it is Air Force policy to not characterize this type of separation, an “upgrade” to Honorable could not be approved. 

The applicant’s request for a change of re-entry code to allow for re-enlistment could not be supported due to current policies. Under DoDI 6130.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services, under Learning, Psychiatric, and Behavioral Condition, the applicant’s reported history of mental health conditions or disorders prior to and during service are considered disqualifying conditions for induction into military service. 

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 23 September 2021.  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)