1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 17 August 2017 b. Date Received: 28 August 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, was discharged because of being unable to stay focused on tasks. The applicant had a very bad attitude and is sorry. The applicant was diagnosed with PTSD, TBI and has been receiving treatment. The applicant sought help for the issues immediately after 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), and Joint Legacy Viewer (JLV), notes indicate diagnoses of Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and PTSD. Post-service, the applicant has a 100% service-connected rating for PTSD through the VA. In summary, the applicant had a BH diagnosis and the reason of discharge was appropriate. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 1 May 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the board determined that the characterization of service was improper. The record indicates the applicant was not notified of any specific factors which would warrant a general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service. Therefore, the characterization not being proper and equitable, the Board granted relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's 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: 18 October 2010 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 21 September 2010 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: He was diagnosed with a Adjustment disorder with depressed mood on 20 September 2010. (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 22 September 2010 (5) Administrative Separation Board: On 22 September 2010, the applicant unconditionally waived consideration of his case before an administrative separation board. (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 4 October 2010 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 21 October 2009 / 3 years, 10 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 31 / HS Graduate / 97 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 13B10, Cannon Crewmember / 7 years, 10 months, 21 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAF, 11 June 1997 - 3 May 2004 / HD (Break in Service) ARNG, 24 January 2009 - 29 August 2009 / HD USARCG, 30 August 2009 - 20 October 2009 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, AFLSR-2, AFTING, NOPDR (AF) g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: CG Article 15, dated 2 September 2010, for wrongfully without authority wear upon his uniform the Navy Underwater Salvage Diver's Badge and the 45th Infantry Division Combat Patch (30 July 2010). The punishment consisted of a reduction to E-3. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: Report of Behavioral Health Evaluation, dated 20 September 2010, reflects the applicant was cleared for any administrative actions deemed appropriate by the command. The applicant was diagnosed with: Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149; Congressional Inquiry. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The applicant states, he sought help for his issues as soon as he was discharged. 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, general (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 his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. After carefully examining the applicant's record of service during the period of enlistment under review, the Board determined that the characterization of service is improper. The Board noted that 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. Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, states that the service of a Soldier separated per this paragraph will be characterized as honorable unless an entry-level separation is required under Chapter 3. The record indicates the applicant was not notified of any specific factors which would warrant a general, under honorable conditions characterization of service. The records show the proper discharge and separation procedures were not followed in this case. 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 1 May 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the board determined that the characterization of service was improper. The record indicates the applicant was not notified of any specific factors which would warrant a general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service. Therefore, the characterization not being proper and equitable, the Board granted relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's 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 AR20170015113 1