IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 9 August 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120002880 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of item 3 (Social Security Number) of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). 2. The applicant states the Social Security Number (SSN) on his DD Form 214 is incorrect and he is being denied benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a result. 3. The applicant provides no documentary evidence in support of his request. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant’s entire military service record has not been made available to the Board. This case is being considered using the applicant’s DD Form 214 and documents provided by the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) which include a DD Form 47 (Record of Induction), DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), and various miscellaneous orders. 3. The DD Form 47 on file shows the applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 24 September 1965. This document lists a Service Number (SN) which was the primary identification number used in military records at the time. It does not list an SSN. 4. The DA Form 20 in the file also lists an SN and not an SSN. All the available orders also list an SN in the standard name line and none list an SSN. 5. On 22 September 1967, the applicant was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR). The DD Form 214 he was issued lists the SSN he now claims is incorrect in item 3. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The regulation in effect at the time of the applicant's separation stated the DA Form 20 and documents on file in the MPRJ were the primary source for information for entries on the DD Form 214. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's request that his DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect the SSN he now uses has been carefully considered. However, there is insufficient evidence to support this claim. None of the available documents, other than the DD Form 214, list an SSN and there is no evidence available to indicate the applicant served under the SSN he now uses. 2. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records. The information contained therein should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created and under which the military service was performed. Therefore, the SSN listed in the applicant's military records should not be changed at this time. 3. This Record of Proceedings will be filed in his military record to provide clarity and to deal with any confusion that may arise regarding the difference in the SSN under which he performed his military service and was separated vice the SSN he indicates he now uses. Filing the Board's decisional document will also guarantee the historical integrity of the applicant's military record. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___X_____ ___X___ ___X___ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. _______ _ X_______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120002880 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120002880 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1