1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 6 July 2017 b. Date Received: 21 July 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that during the term of service, there was no misconduct. The applicant was discharged due to a mental condition that occurred during service. Since discharge, the applicant has held stable jobs with no issues. 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), and Joint Legacy Viewer (JLV), notes indicate diagnoses of Adjustment Disorder with disturbance of emotions and conduct and Suicide risk. VA records only contain DoD content. In summary, the applicant's narrative reason for discharge is appropriate. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 16 August 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the applicant's quality of service. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code 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: Condition, Not a Disability / AR 635- 200, Chapter 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 27 September 2011 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 27 June 2011 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: for being diagnosed on 2 July 2011 by CPT T., with an adjustment disorder and a borderline personality disorder. (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 30 June 2011 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 20 July 2011 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 14 June 2010 / 6 years, 23 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 129 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / 14J10, AD C4I TOC ENH OP/MNT / 1 year, 3 months, 14 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: AAM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statement reference separation under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 5-17 . i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 2 June 2011, shows the applicant was diagnosed with an Axis I for adjustment disorder with MDEc, occupational problem and Axis II borderline personality disorder. It was noted that she could understand and participate in administrative proceedings and could appreciated the difference between right and wrong. It was recommended that she be processed for an expeditious Chapter 5-17 for Adjustment Disorder. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-17 specifically provides that a Soldier may be separated for other physical or mental conditions not amounting to a disability, which interferes with assignment to or performance of duty and requires that the diagnosis be so severe that the Soldier's ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired. AR 635-200, paragraph 5-1, states that a Soldier being separated under this paragraph will be awarded a characterization of service of honorable, under honorable conditions, or an uncharacterized description of service if in entry-level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally inappropriate for individuals separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-17 unless properly notified of the specific factors in the service that warrant such characterization. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows that separation action was initiated on the applicant for being diagnosed on 2 July 2011 by CPT T., with an adjustment disorder and a borderline personality disorder. After carefully examining the applicant's record of service during the period of enlistment under review, it appears the applicant's t's characterization is improper. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5-17, AR 635-200, by reason of a condition, not a disability, with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. AR 635-200, paragraph 5-1, states that a Soldier being separated under this paragraph will be awarded a characterization of service of honorable, under honorable conditions, or an uncharacterized description of service if in entry- level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally inappropriate for individuals separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-17 unless properly notified of the specific factors in the service that warrant such characterization. The applicant was not properly notified as to the specific reasons for which she would not get an honorable characterization as required by paragraph 5-1b, AR 635-200. Therefore, it appears the discharge was not consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was not within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was not provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 16 August 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the applicant's quality of service. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code 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: Honorable c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code to: 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 AR20170011049 1