1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 18 March 2017 b. Date Received: 23 March 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in pertinent part and in effect, was injured during the time of service. The applicant has a service-connected disability and is requesting an honorable discharge. Per the Board's Medical Officer, a voting member, based on the information available for review at the time in the service record, the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA) indicate no Behavioral Health notes regarding the applicant. VA records indicate the applicant is 80% service-connected; 70% for Somatization Disorder. VA Problem List includes Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Somatization Disorder. In summary, while the applicant has been diagnosed with MDD, GAD and Somatization Disorder, none of these conditions have any bearing upon the diagnosis of Diastasis Recti, the condition which caused separation from the Army. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 14 December 2018 and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. However, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27 contains the erroneous reentry code of "NA." In view of the error, the Board directed an administrative correction to block 27 to read RE-3, as required by Army Regulations. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Failed Medical / Physical / Procurement Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-11 / JFW / NA / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 27 October 2009 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSB) convened: 14 October 2009 (2) Findings of the EPSB: The subject findings were that the applicant was diagnosed with diastasis recti, which is essentially a developmental defect or flaw of the abdominal muscles, diffuse, at the midline. She was asymptomatic without excessive or vigorous activity; however, when doing sit-ups this area became symptomatic as it pinches off at the midline and causes her pain at the site. Surgical correction for this disorder was not straightforward and often not helped by surgery. If surgery were to be performed, it would entail a laparotomy and suturing of the abdominal fascia tight at the midline in the upper portion of the abdomen. Therefore, she would require an in-hospitalization operation and extensive recovery. Upon determining that she did not meet entrance requirements in accordance with AR 40-501, chapter 2-32i; in that she had a previous condition that would inhibit her ability to perform her duties and complete training, she was recommended for an Existed Prior to Service (EPTS) discharge for her inability to train at that point. (3) Date Applicant Reviewed and Concurred with the Findings of the EPSB, and Requested to be Discharged without Delay: 16 October 2009 (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: N/A (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: 16 October 2009 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 15 July 2009 / Pursuant to her enlistment to report back to MEPS for initial active duty training (IADT), no time period specified and no orders available. b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 22 / HS Graduate / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 5 months, 23 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR (5 May 2009 to 14 July 2009) / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: DA Form 4707 (Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings, dated 16 October 2009, described at the preceding paragraphs 3c(1)-(6). i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Regulation (AR) 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-11 specifically provides that Soldiers who were not medically qualified under procurement medical fitness standards, when accepted for enlistment, or who became medically disqualified under these standards prior to entry on active duty or active duty training or initial entry training will be separated. A medical proceeding, regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition was identified by appropriate medical authority within six months of the Soldier's initial entrance on active duty, that the condition would have permanently or temporarily disqualified the Soldier for entry into the military service had it been detected at that time, and the medical condition does not disqualify the Soldier from retention in the service under the provisions of AR 40-501, Chapter 3. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of the regulation will normally be honorable. However for Soldiers in entry-level status, it will be uncharacterized. AR 635-200 states that a Soldier is in an entry-level status if the Soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty prior to the initiation of separation action. 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 "JFW" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-11, failed medical/physical/procurement standards. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JFW" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The applicant's Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings confirms that the EPSBD proceedings, in their findings revealed the applicant had a medical condition which was disqualifying for enlistment and that it existed prior to entry on active duty. The history of EPTS condition indicated the applicant was diagnosed with diastasis recti, which is essentially a developmental defect or flaw of the abdominal muscles, diffuse, at the midline. She was asymptomatic without excessive or vigorous activity; however, when doing sit-ups this area became symptomatic as it pinches off at the midline and causes her pain at the site. Surgical correction for this disorder was not straightforward and often not helped by surgery. If surgery were to be performed, it would entail a laparotomy and suturing of the abdominal fascia tight at the midline in the upper portion of the abdomen. Therefore, she would require an in- hospitalization operation and extensive recovery. Upon determining she did not meet entrance requirements in accordance with AR 40-501, chapter 2-32i; in that she had a previous condition that would inhibit her ability to perform her duties and complete training, she was recommended for an Existed Prior to Service (EPTS) discharge for her inability to train at that point. Subsequently, the findings were approved by competent medical authority on 15 October 2009, and the applicant agreed with these findings and the proposed action for administrative separation from the Army. The available record further confirms the applicant was in an entry level status at the time of her separation proceedings. Soldier is in entry-level status (ELS) for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when her separation is initiated while she is in entry level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge may be granted only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The applicant's available service record contains no such unusual circumstances and her service did not warrant an honorable discharge. Further, an uncharacterized discharge is neither positive nor negative and it is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier's military service. It merely means that the Soldier has not been in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. The service record further reflects that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27, reentry code as "NA." Army Regulation 635-5-1, (Separation Program Designator Codes) and Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier processed for Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards will be assigned an SPD Code of JFW and an RE Code of 3. The available record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant's uncharacterized discharge is commensurate with her overall service record while in an ELS status. 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 14 December 2018 and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. However, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27 contains the erroneous reentry code of "NA." In view of the error, the Board directed an administrative correction to block 27 to read RE-3, as required by Army Regulations. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change / RE-3 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 AR20170004131 1