MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           22 September 1999                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999014590

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Gale Thomas		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		Member	
	Mr. John P. Infante		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his records be corrected by changing the reason and authority for his separation. 

APPLICANT STATES:  That a medical board diagnosed an Axis I Atypical psychosis with hallucinations; and that his DD Form 214 indicates he had a prior existing physical disability.  He states that he was not mentally ill; that the diagnoses was wrong then and now, and that he has no physical disability, and has never suffered from hallucinations.  In support of his request he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), and 2 character references.  

COUNSEL CONTENDS:  The counsel makes no contentions. 

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

On 27 October 1987, he enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 4 years.

He completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and was assigned to medical holding company at Fort Gordon, Georgia. 

On 4 February 1988, the applicant was ground evacuated by ambulance from Fort McClellan, Alabama to Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia, for hearing voices which were telling him to commit suicide.  The applicant stated that he did not remember exactly when he began hearing voices, but he does remember at age 15 hearing voices occasionally during stressful period in his life.  The applicant stated that when he began hearing voices telling him to harm himself, he called his mother, who in turn called Community Mental Heath at Fort McClellan. 

On 21 March 1988, a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB), diagnosed that the applicant suffered from Atypical psychosis, severe; manifested by auditory hallucinations, suicidal ideations, poor appetite, insomnia, decreased energy level, and poor motivation in daily activities, and that his condition existed prior to his entry on active duty.  The MEB recommended that the applicant be separated in accordance with Army Regulation 635-40, chapter 40. 

On 24 March 1988, the applicant agreed with the board’s findings and recommendations, and requested physical disability processing based on the findings and recommendations of the MEB.

On 6 April 1988, the appropriate separation authority approved the applicant’s discharge under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-40, chapter 5, and directed the issuance of a honorable discharge certificate.
On 8 April 1988, the applicant was discharged under the provisions of the above cited regulation.  His Report of Separation indicates he had 5 months and            12 days of creditable service.

Army Regulation 635-40 provides guidance and policies for physical evaluation for retention, retirement and separation.  Chapter 5 provides for separation of
personnel due to conditions that existed prior to enlistment, were not aggravated by the period of service and for which the individual waived evaluation by a PEB.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  

2.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

3.  The evidence in this case does not support his contention that there was an error in his diagnosis or the narrative reason for his separation.  The applicant underwent the required MED and it was determined that his psychosis existed prior to his entry on active duty.  

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___mkp__  __clg___  ___jpi___  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999014590	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990922	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  110.00		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.