1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 5 September 2017 b. Date Received: 8 September 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of an uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in pertinent part and in effect, the Army's decision that the hypothyroidism would prevent the applicant from serving was against the desire to continue service. The applicant could manage the condition and serve honorably. The current discharge unfairly taints the service. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 3 April 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was improper. The record indicates the applicant was not in an Entry Level Status upon separation. 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: Failure to Meet Procurement Medical Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 1 April 2004 c. Separation Facts: (NIF, but according to the applicant's documentary evidence) (1) Date Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSB) convened: 10 March 2004 (2) Findings of the EPSB: The narrative summary, in pertinent part, indicates that on 10 March 2004, the applicant was diagnosed with "Hyperthyroidism" after complaining of shakiness. The applicant provided that he had a family history of hypothyroidism. Upon the medical clinic ordering a thyroid level, it confirmed the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. The applicant was retained in "PTRP" on the condition of passing his APFT, and upon passing he would be referred to BAMC for further treatment. However, he did not pass. It was determined that he would require frequent and prolonged treatment for the condition. Upon further determining the applicant did not meet medical fitness standards for enlistment according to AR 40-501, paragraph 2-8(h)-4, and Chapter 3, he was recommended for separation from military service according to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-11, for having an Existed Prior to Service (EPTS) medical condition. (3) Date Applicant Reviewed and Concurred with the Findings of the EPSB, and Requested to be Discharged without Delay: 24 March 2004 (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: N/A (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: 26 March 2004 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 20 August 2003 / NIF b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 / NIF / 108 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / 13F10, Fire Support Specialist / 7 months, 12 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Discharge Orders i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge), dated 5 September 2017; DD Form 214; DA Form 4707 (Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings, dated 10 March 2004; Reports of Medical Examination and History, dated 26 April 2003; Medical Prescreen of Medical History Report, dated 7 and 21 April 2003; and Clinical Record. 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 his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms the applicant was not in entry level status and his service, per the governing regulation, should have been characterized as honorable. Army Regulation 635-200 provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when the separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. The evidence of record shows the applicant had a medical condition, determined to be an EPTS (existed prior to service) condition, on 10 March 2004. The applicant was diagnosed with the EPTS condition after he had completed 180 days of continuous active duty, thus he was no longer in entry level status. AR 635-200 defines entry level status for active duty Soldiers as the period of the first 180 days of continuous active duty. When the applicant was discharged, he had completed 7 months and 12 days of active duty service. Based on the available record, 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 3 April 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was improper. The record indicates the applicant was not in an Entry Level Status upon separation. 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 AR20170016432 1