1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 10 March 2016 b. Date Received: 14 March 2016 c. Counsel: 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, she was suffering from PTSD and depression from her multiple combat deployments. She had asked for help while still on active duty. Per the Board's Medical Officer, based on the information available for review at the time, case files, AHLTA and JLV reviewed. She also has a history of homelessness. Based on the information available at this time, the medical documentation supports the applicant's contention that her drinking behaviors were exacerbated by her depression and PTSD. Both of these conditions led her to self-medicate with alcohol. Once her drinking behaviors reached a certain point, they spiraled out of control, leading to her discharge from the Army. It is the opinion of the Agency psychiatrist that the applicant's request to change her narrative reason for discharge is appropriate. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 11 October 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined the discharge is inequitable based on the applicant's length and quality of service, to include combat service, prior periods of honorable service, homelessness, the circumstances surrounding the discharge (i.e. severe family matters, suicide attempts, incapacity to serve, and in-service and post-service diagnosis of OBH and PTSD with a 50% VA rating). Therefore, the board directed the issue of a new DD Form 214 changing the separation authority to AR 635-200, Chapter 5-3, and the narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority, with a corresponding separation code to JFF. The Board determined the characterization of service and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure / AR 635-200 / Chapter 9 / JPD / RE-4 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 7 May 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 8 April 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: She was determined to be an Army Substance Abuse Failure by MAJ S in consultation with an ASAP Counselor, 12 March 2014. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: 8 April 2014 (5) Administrative Separation Board: On 8 April 2014, the applicant conditionally waived consideration of her case before an administrative separation board, contingent upon her receiving a characterization of service no less favorable than an honorable discharge. (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 15 April 2014 / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 25 September 2012 / Indefinite b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 31 / HS Graduate / 106 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-7 / 74D4P P5, Chemical Operations Specialist / 13 years, 15 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA, 23 April 2001 - 22 April 2004 / HD ARNG, 23 April 2004 - 26 January 2005 / HD RA, 27 January 2005 - 13 February 2012 / HD RA, 14 February 2012 - 24 September 2012 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: SWA / Afghanistan (29 November 2001), Iraq (15 February 2003 - 15 June 2003, 7 April 2006 - 6 April 2007) f. Awards and Decorations: ACM-2CS, ICM-2CS, ARCOM-5, AAM-3, MUC, PUC, AGCM-4, NDSM-BSS, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, NCOPDR-, ASR, OSR g. Performance Ratings: 1 August 2012 - 31 January 2013 / Among The Best 1 February 2013 - 31 January 2014 / Among The Best h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Summary of Army Substance Abuse Program Rehabilitation Failure (memo), dated 1 April 2014, reflects the applicant's rehabilitation team consulted on 12 March 2014, and, determined the applicant had not made satisfactory progress toward achieving the criteria for successful rehabilitation as outlined in AR 600-85, para 3-2 and 3-3. Further rehabilitation efforts in a military environment were not justified in light of the applicant's lack of progress. Discharge from military service should be effected. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: The applicant provided a copy of her VA disability rating decision, dated 20 May 2015, which reflects the applicant was rated 30 percent disability for major depressive disorder. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149; two DD Forms 214; and, a copy of her VA Disability decision letter. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 9 outlines the procedures for discharging individuals because of alcohol or other drug abuse. A member who has been referred to the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) for alcohol or drug abuse may be separated because of inability or refusal to participate in, cooperate in, or successfully complete such a program if there is a lack of potential for continued Army service and rehabilitation efforts are no longer practical. Army policy states that an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge is authorized depending on the applicant's overall record of service. However, an honorable discharge is required if limited use information is used in the discharge process. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the SPD codes to be entered on the DD Form 214. It identifies the SPD code of "JPD" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 9, for alcohol rehabilitation failure. 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), provided guidance to help ensure consistency across the military services in consideration of PTSD relevant to Service Members' discharges. "Liberal consideration will be given in petitions for changes in characterization of service to service treatment record entries which document one of more symptoms which meet the diagnostic criteria of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or related conditions. Special consideration will be given to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determinations which document PTSD or PTSD-related conditions connected to military services. In cases where Service Records or any document from the period of service substantiated the existence of one or more symptoms of what is now recognized as PTSD or PTSD-related condition during the time of service, liberal consideration will be given to finding that PTSD existed at the time of service. Liberal consideration will also be given in cases where civilian providers confer diagnoses of PTSD or PTSD-related conditions, when case records contain narratives that support symptomatology at the time of service, or when any other evidence which may reasonably indicate that PTSD or a PTSD-related disorder existed at the time of discharge which might have mitigated the misconduct that caused the under other than honorable conditions characterization of service. This guidance in not applicable to cases involving pre- existing conditions which are determined not to have been incurred or aggravated while in military service." 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record indicates that on 12 April 2014, the unit commander in consultation with the Clinical Director/Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP), declared the applicant a rehabilitation failure. The applicant did not have the potential for continued military service because her level of need for medication management and length of treatment exceeded what was available in the Active Duty Army. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed because she was suffering from PTSD from her multiple deployments. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 9, AR 635-200 with a honorable discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "alcohol / drug rehabilitation failure," and the separation code is "JPD." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. The applicant contends the VA has granted her a service connected disability for PTSD. However, a careful review of the entire record reveals that this medical condition did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. The applicant's service record is void of a mental status evaluation. It appears the applicant's chain of command determined that she knew the difference between what was right and wrong. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 11 October 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined the discharge is inequitable based on the applicant's length and quality of service, to include combat service, prior periods of honorable service, homelessness, the circumstances surrounding the discharge (i.e. severe family matters, suicide attempts, incapacity to serve, and in-service and post-service diagnosis of OBH and PTSD with a 50% VA rating). Therefore, the board directed the issue of a new DD Form 214 changing the separation authority to AR 635-200, Chapter 5-3, and the narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority, with a corresponding separation code to JFF. The Board determined the characterization of service and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a new DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: Secretarial Authority d. Change Authority to: AR 635-200, Ch 5-3 e. SPD/RE Code Change to: Change SPD to JFF/ No Change to RE code f. Restoration to Grade: No Change Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer SCM - Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BH - Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20160006182 1