1. APPLICANT’S NAME: a. Application Date: 4 February 2015 b. Date Received: 13 February 2015 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for her discharge. The applicant contends, she was incorrectly diagnosed with a personality disorder, which should never have been done. The applicant also contends, her unjust discharge has caused limited employment opportunities. Furthermore, if her medical condition was diagnosed correctly, she would have been discharged due to her PTSD. Per the Board’s Medical officer, based on the information available for review at the time, the diagnosis of personality disorder was appropriate given the applicant’s pattern of behavior, inpatient assessment and outpatient evaluation. Given the personality diagnosis, an administrative separation would be appropriate and is consistent with AR 635-200. A diagnosis of personality disorders often requires multiple data points and observation of behavior and can be missed in a single assessment point conducted years after the service member's discharge. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 8 July 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. (Board member names available upon request.) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason/Authority/Codes/Characterization: Personality Disorder / AR 635-200 / Chapter 5-13 / JFX / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 12 June 2004 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 7 April 2004 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was diagnosed by Chief of Mental Health with a personality disorder which is not amenable to treatment. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: 19 April 2004 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NIF (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: 6 June 2004 / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date/Period of Enlistment: 15 January 2002 / 2 years b. Age at Enlistment/Education/GT Score: 18 / HS Graduate / 107 c. Highest Grade Achieved/MOS/Total Service: E-5 / 73C20, Finance Specialist / 10 years, 10 months, and 17 days d. Prior Service/Characterizations: RA, 9 October 1992 – 30 October 1996, HD RA, 31 October 1996 – 10 December 1998, HD RA, 11 December 1998 – 14 January 2002, HD e. Overseas Service/Combat Service: Alaska / None f. Awards and Decorations: JSCM, ARCOM, AAM-2, GCM-3, NDSM-2, NCPDR-2, ASR, OSR, GWTSM g. Performance Ratings: October 2000 – February 2003, Among The Best March 2003 – October 2003, Fully Capable November 2003 – June 2004, Marginal h. Disciplinary Action(s)/Evidentiary Record: Six DA Forms 4856 (Developmental Counseling), dated between 19 September 2003 and 22 January 2004, for failing to have a Family Care Plan, unsatisfactory performance, failing to meet standards as an NCO, bar to reenlistment, initiation of separation proceedings, and a command referral to have a psychiatric evaluation. U.S. Army Crime Records Center Memorandum, dated 25 March 2016, reflects they have no files pertaining to the applicant, which can be considered a “no record” response for USACIDC records pursuant to the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act. i. Lost Time: None j. Diagnosed PTSD/TBI/Behavioral Health: DA Form 3822 (Report of Mental Status Evaluation), dated 30 December 2003, reflects the applicant had a clear and normal thought process and was mentally responsible. The applicant was diagnosed with (Axis I) Depressive Disorder NOS. A subsequent mental status evaluation was conducted, dated 6 January 2004, which reflects the applicant was diagnosed with (Axis I) Adjustment Disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct and (Axis II) PD NOS with dependent and borderline traits. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Forms 293 and 149, dated 4 February 2015; DD Form 214; and the following: VA Medical Center Columbia letter, dated 29 October 2013; VA Rating Decision, dated 22 August 2013; and, Compensation and Pension Exam Report, dated 29 June 2012. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-13 in effect at the time, provided that a Soldier may be separated for a personality disorder, not amounting to disability, when the condition interfered with assignment to or performance of duty. The regulation requires that the condition is a deeply ingrained maladaptive pattern of behavior of long duration that interferes with the Soldier's ability to perform military duties. The regulation also directs that commanders will not take action prescribed in this Chapter in lieu of disciplinary action and requires that the disorder is so severe that the Soldier’s ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired. Army policy requires the award of a fully honorable discharge in such case. Characterization of service under honorable conditions may be awarded to a Soldier who has been convicted of an offense by general court-martial or who has been convicted by more than one special court-martial in the current enlistment, period of obligated service, or any extension thereof. Secretary of Defense Memorandum for Secretaries of the Military Departments, subject: Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requests by Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, dated September 3, 2014, by implication provided the same guidance to the Service Discharge Review Boards whose decisions are reviewable by the Service Correction Boards. That memorandum provided PTSD or PTSD-related conditions "will be considered potential mitigating factors in the misconduct that caused the under other than honorable conditions characterization of service." However, the memorandum also states, "Corrections Boards will exercise caution in weighing evidence of mitigation in cases in which serious misconduct precipitated a discharge with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions. Potentially mitigating evidence of the existence of undiagnosed combat-related PTSD or PTSD-related conditions as a causative factor in the misconduct resulting in the discharge will be carefully weighed against the severity of the misconduct. PTSD is not a likely cause of premeditated misconduct. Correction Boards will also exercise caution in weighing evidence of mitigation in all cases of misconduct by carefully considering the likely causal relationship of symptoms to the misconduct." 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for discharge. The applicant’s record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a personality disorder. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for his discharge; however, the narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Personality Disorder," and the separation code is "JFX." The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There was no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 8 July 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change SPD/RE Code to: No Change e. Restore Grade to: NA AUTHENTICATING OFFICIAL: COL, US ARMY Presiding Officer Army Discharge Review Board Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School OAD - Ordered to Active Duty SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 HD - Honorable Discharge OMPF - Official Military Personnel File TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP – Military Police PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS – Entry Level Status IADT – Initial Active Duty Training RE - Reentry UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable SCM - Summary Court Martial ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20150003053 1