1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 3 January 2017 b. Date Received: 6 February 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he joined the Army a year after completing high school, in order to serve the country. He states, like many young people his age, he was affected by the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers and had decided to serve the country, while he was still in elementary school. He studied hard for the ASVAB. It was a proud day for him when he became a health care specialist. He took pride as a PVT and later, as a SPC in the Army. He arrived on time and did any task given to him. He became the best combat medic that he could be. He put his heart and soul into being a Soldier and was ready to serve and was proud to be a part of the military. He received several medals during his service and worked hard to maintain a high physical fitness test score. About three years into his service, he began to experience panic attacks and severe anxiety along with depression. At the time, he did not know what was happening to him, or how to control the anxiety. He began to use alcohol, and later to abuse it. He voluntarily participated in the ASAP program to get a handle on his alcohol abuse. He managed to stay sober for six months, but with nothing to take away the anxiety and panic, he began using alcohol again. By his second voluntary admittance into the ASAP program, he was at a loss as to what to do. The ASAP program dealt with his alcohol abuse, but it did not address what was driving his alcohol abuse. He knew that he needed an inpatient rehabilitation program to get to the root of what was happening to him, but he also knew that he could not enter into an inpatient program without being discharged or separated from the Army. He states, the thought of leaving the Army was terrifying to him and he worried what this would do to others in his unit. The applicant states, ultimately, the decision was made for him and he was separated from the Army for alcohol abuse. Since his discharge, he has entered a comprehensive inpatient addiction program and has been diagnosed with PTSD. The details of his PTSD have been revealed as an event that took place in the ER room of the Womack Hospital, where he was on duty as a medic and had witnessed the death of a family due to an accident. He had been prescribed medication to deal with the panic and had successfully completed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy to deal with the PTSD. He has been sober for 14 months and is managing a sober living house. He is ready to go on with his life, and plans to continue his education in the medical field. He still has shame and guilt over his discharge. He recalls every day, how his emotional breakdown affected many people in his unit, but he is ready to move on and is ready to become a productive member of society. Per the Board's Medical Officer, based on the information available for review at the time, the applicant had a partially mitigating medical or behavioral health conditions for the offenses. SMs primary diagnosis is Alcohol Dependence (Alcoholism); however, he appears to have been self-medicating to suppress depressive symptoms (emotional blunting, sleep problems, and racing thoughts) in response to life stressors (relationship and occupational stressors). Because Depression can be associated with use of alcohol and substances for self-medication, risk-taking behaviors, impaired insight and judgment, and impulsivity, there is a nexus between SMs misconduct and his behavioral health symptoms. The condition however is only partially mitigating because SM received significant ASAP treatment while in service and continued to relapse. Lastly, although the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder is listed, there is no indication that SM meets criteria for this diagnosis based on a lack of diagnostic information, to include no history of bipolar symptoms. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 6 September 2017, 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: Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure / AR 635-200 / Chapter 9 / JPD / RE-4 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 28 August 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 18 July 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: he was an ASAP failure. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 18 July 2014, the applicant waived his rights to consult with legal counsel. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 11 August 2014 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 18 April 2011 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 109 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 68W10, Health Care Specialist / 3 years, 4 months 11 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: AGCM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Commander's Report, dated 18 July 2014, reflects the applicant received a CG Article 15, on 28 August 2013, for Assault. The punishment consisted of a reduction to E-3; forfeiture of $443; and, extra duty and restriction for 45 days. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: The applicant provided his medical treatment record, dated 10 February 2015, which reflects he was diagnosed with: 304.00 Opioid Dependence 304.10 Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Dependence 303.90 Alcohol Dependence 304.30 Cannabis Dependence 300.02 Generalized Anxiety Disorder 296.80 Bipolar Disorder, NOS 309.81 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 300.01 Panic Disorder 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application, with all allied documents listed in the supporting documentation information section of the application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: He has been sober for 14 months and is managing a sober living house. He is ready to go on with his life, and plans to continue his education in the medical field. 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. 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 an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant's record is void of the unit commander in consultation with the Clinical Director/Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) memorandum, wherein the applicant was declared a rehabilitation failure and that he did not have the potential for continued military service. Barring evidence to the contrary, the presumption of government regularity prevails as it appears that all the requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant contends that since his discharge, he has been diagnosed with PTSD and that it was this condition which affected his behavior and ultimately led to his discharge. The service record contains no evidence of a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis while on Active Duty and the applicant did not submit any evidence to support the contention that the discharge was the result of any medical condition. Further, the record reveals that this medical condition did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. The applicant contends that he has been sober for 14 months and is managing a sober living house. He is ready to go on with his life. The Army Discharge Review Board is authorized to consider post-service factors in the characterization of a discharge. However, there is no law or regulation which provides a discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in civilian life subsequent to leaving the service. Outstanding post-service conduct, to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the applicant's performance and conduct during the period of service under review, is considered during Board proceedings. The Board reviews each discharge on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate previous in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member's overall character The applicant contends that he had good service. The applicant's service accomplishments and the quality of his service prior to the incidents that caused the initiation of discharge proceeding were carefully considered. The applicant is to be commended for his accomplishments. The applicant has expressed his desire to continue his education. However, eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. ADD PERSONAL APPEARANCE PARAGRPAH Based on the available record, 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 6 September 2017, 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/Issue new Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. SPD/RE Code Change to: No Change 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 AR20170001565 2