AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00329	
					
The applicant was discharged on 31 Dec 09 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Honorable discharge for Reduction in Force.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her 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 her 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 states that her unit failed to account for her medical issues and her medical profile was not properly done. She states that due to this, she was required to participate in PT tests. She also states that an MEB should have been done as well. The applicant explains that she had undiagnosed asthma, TBI from pre-deployment training vehicle accident, and was later diagnosed with PTSD. The member states that she is rated through the VA but not through the military while in service. The member asserted that prior to deploying to Iraq, her record was rather exemplary and she would like this to be taken in to consideration.  Based on all of these factors, she would like an upgrade to the RE code.  

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge.  After 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. Specifically, there is no evidence of a nexus between the applicant’s reported symptoms and the behaviors that lead to her disqualification. With the exception of a single evaluation by a psychiatrist, the applicant declined further mental health evaluation. The applicant made no claims of a mental health condition in service, and did not indicate that mental health symptoms were bothersome during her time in service. Additionally, after a thorough review from the board’s Medical representative, it was determined that the profiles given were proper for the conditions/issues the member was having at the time. If the applicant feels an MEB should have been given, they must apply to the AFBCMR.  

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate her contentions, the Board recommends she exercise the right to make a personal appearance before the DRB or directly appeal the DRB’s decision to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records.  

Instructions on how to appeal to AFDRB or AFBCMR can be found at https://afrbaportal.azurewebsites.us

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

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 20 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)