AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2022-00301	
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 9 June 2017 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Honorable discharge and Erroneous Entry as the Narrative Reason for Separation. The applicant appealed for a change to the Reentry code.

The applicant was not represented by counsel and requested the board be completed based on a records only review.

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. 

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.  

On the DD Form 293, the applicant checked the box to request a change to his reentry code. However, in Block 22 of the application, the applicant explained that he is requesting an upgrade to change the Erroneous Entry Narrative Reason for Separation.  The applicant stated that the military doctors discharged him because they determined he had ADHD/ADD before he entered the military.  The applicant contended that he conducted extensive research and called all the hospitals and schools he attended.  He stated that there were no hospitals or schools who had records to indicate that he received or took medication for ADHD/ADD.  He also stated that while serving, the anniversary date of his traumatic experience caused him to enter into a depressive state he had never been in before.  He stated as a result he committed self-harm, which he had never done before.  He stated that he did not know if the Air Force lifestyle and distance from family contributed to his decline.  

The DRB reviewed the evidence the applicant submitted as well as his service records.  The pediatrician’s letter that the applicant submitted only indicated that it no longer maintained the applicant’s records because of his adult age.  The letter did not offer evidence to dispute the ADHD diagnosis.  The DRB determined the applicant discharge was implemented due to the omission or misrepresentation of information the applicant failed to document in he’s enlistment paperwork.  The applicant failed to disclose prior-service health conditions which presented inaccurate information during his enlistment process.  The determination was made after the applicant was evaluated by a Mental Health Clinic.  Based on the evidence in the applicant’s service and medical records, the Board found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant changes to the discharge.  

Due to evidence of a mental health condition found in the applicant’s medical record, the Board considered the case based on the liberal consideration (LC) standards required by guidance from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and 10 USC §1553. The Board included a member who is clinical psychologist.  Specifically, the Board reviewed the four questions the Under Secretary of Defense provided that boards should consider when weighing evidence in requests for modification of discharges due in whole or in part to mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); sexual assault, and sexual harassment.  
The Board determined that liberal consideration was not applicable to this applicant’s case. The MH conditions that led to the applicant’s discharge were EPTS conditions that were not disclosed to MEPS.  This led to the applicant’s discharge, and narrative reason for separation. The applicant did not provide any evidence or records that the undisclosed, and potentially disqualifying mental health conditions of NSSDV, ADHD, SI, and PTSD have been addressed and/or resolved. 

Additionally, the Board considered the factors laid out in the attachment to the Under Secretary of Defense memorandum, Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Regarding Equity, Injustice, or Clemency Determinations, dated 25 June 2018, known as the “Wilkie Memo.

FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C or 3K. 

CONCLUSION:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s issues, summary of service, service and medical record, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper and equitable. Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall remain, the narrative reason for separation shall remain and the reentry code shall remain. The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 23 October 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)