1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 9 June 2017 b. Date Received: 12 December 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of an uncharacterized discharge to honorable and a narrative reason change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, when the applicant enlisted, the recruiter told the applicant that he had everything taken care of with regard to the enlistment documentation, and that the applicant did not have to go through required testing. The recruiter drove the applicant to Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for the physical and also to report for Active Duty in Milwaukee. When the applicant went on Active Duty and began training, the applicant injured both knees and never had any problems with the knees before enlistment. The applicant is now compensated by the USDVA for this condition as being directly service-connected to military service. Furthermore, because the applicant was laid up and on crutches instead of training, the applicant became anxious and depressed. The applicant did see someone in the Army about mental health, however the mental health provider did not seem to understand the applicant's distress and just wanted to give the applicant medication. When the applicant was discharged, the applicant was pressured to sign off as though the difficulties were just something that pre-existed to service. The applicant should have been discharged with an honorable discharge, and the reason for the separation should have been disability incurred in service. 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 and Depressive Disorder. The applicant is 50% service-connected for Major Depressive Disorder from the VA. The VA has also diagnosed the applicant with Dysthymic Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder, PTSD, and Dependent Personality Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder. Post-service civilian diagnoses include Conversion Disorder, Depression, PTSD, and ADD. In summary, the applicant's discharge was appropriate. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 26 February 2020, 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: Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 5 July 2006 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) convened: 12 June 2006 (2) EPSBD Findings: The findings of the evaluating physicians indicate the applicant was medically unfit for appointment or enlistment in accordance with current medical fitness standards and in the opinion of the evaluating physicians the condition existed prior to service. The applicant was diagnosed with: Depressive Disorder NOS; Bilateral Tibial Stress Fractures. (3) Date Applicant Reviewed and Concurred with the Findings, and Requested Discharge without Delay: 22 June 2006 (4) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 27 June 2006 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 22 May 2006 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 30 / HS Graduate / 116 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 1 month, 14 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: EPSBD findings as described in previous paragraph 3c. Soldier's Statement, dated 22 June 2006, reflects the applicant stated "I had a depression and anxiety disorder prior to enlisting and was told by recruiter not to let anyone know about it." The applicant further affirmed she fully understood the contents of her statement and that it was true. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 16 June 2006, reflects the applicant was cleared for any administrative actions deemed appropriate by the command. The applicant could understand the difference between right and wrong and could participate in the proceedings. The applicant was diagnosed with: Depressive Disorder, NOS. The applicant provided a copy of her VA disability rating decision, dated 9 November 2015, which reflects the applicant was rated 50 percent disability for persistent depressive disorder. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 214; DD Form 293; case separation packet; VA Rating Decision. 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 5-11 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 5-11, Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable and a narrative reason change. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The proceedings of the EPSB revealed the applicant had a medical condition which was disqualifying for enlistment and existed prior to entry on active duty. These findings were approved by competent medical authority and the applicant agreed with the findings and proposed action for administrative separation from the Army. Further, the uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service. 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 applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-11, AR 635-200, with a under other than honorable conditions discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards," and the separation code is "JFW." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. The applicant contends she was pressured into affirming her condition existed prior to her entrance in the Army and that the VA has granted her a service connected disability for Persistent Depressive Disorder. However, the 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 character of the applicant's discharge is commensurate with her overall service record. Further, the record reflects that on 16 June 2006, the applicant underwent a mental status evaluation which indicates she was mentally responsible, with thought content as clear, and was able to recognize right from wrong. It appears the applicant's chain of command determined that she knew the difference between what was right and wrong as indicated by the mental status evaluation. 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 26 February 2020, 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 a New Separation Order: No 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 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 AR20180000912 1