1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 18 October 2018 b. Date Received: 18 October 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, was discharged from the service due to having an unknown medical condition which was caused by injuries sustained while in basic training. The VA determined that the injuries caused the applicant's condition, which was unknown at the time, and wants to change the characterization of service to honorable from service connected disabilities. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 24 July 2019, 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 / Chapter 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 7 August 2008 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 11 July 2008 (2) Basis for Separation: The Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings revealed that the applicant was diagnosed with symptomatic crohn's disease. It was recommended that the applicant meet with a Medical Board for Separation. He did not meet medical fitness standards for enlistment or induction in accordance with AR 40-501, Chapter 2-3, C, 1. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF/ The applicant concurred with the proceedings and requested to be discharged from the US Army without delay. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 4 August 2006 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 19 June 2008 / 4 years / moral waiver / 5 June 2008 b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 17 years / HS Graduate / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / None / 1 month, 19 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: None i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149 (two pages); letter, VA summary of benefits (two pages); EPSBD proceedings (two pages); memorandum, assumption of command; two physical profiles; Report of Medical Examination (four pages); Report of Medical History (four pages); memorandum, Entrance Physical Standards Board Proceedings; personnel action form; memorandum, Med 200 recommendation; memorandum, Notification of applicant's pending EPSBD Proceedings; DD Form 214; discharge orders; group life insurance election and certificate; and record of emergency data. 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 a medical condition was identified by appropriate medical authority within six months of the Soldier's initial entrance on active duty, the condition would have permanently or temporarily disqualified the Soldier for entry into the military service had it been detected at the 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. A general discharge (GD) under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. AR 635-200 states 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 AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-11, for 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 a change to the narrative reason for his separation. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant's record consisting of an Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings confirms that the EPSBD, 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 (existed prior to service) condition indicates that on 15 July 2008, the applicant was diagnosed with "symptomatic crohn's disease." Upon determining that the applicant did not meet retention standards according to AR 40-501, Chapter 2, he was recommended for separation from military service according to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-11, an EPTS discharge for the medical condition. Subsequently, the findings were approved by competent medical authority on 4 August 2008, and the applicant agreed with these findings and the proposed action for immediate administrative separation from the Army. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. 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 AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-11, for failed medical / physical / procurement standards. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. The applicant seeks relief contending, he was discharged from service due to having an unknown medical condition which was caused by injuries sustained while in basic training. The EPSBD Proceedings revealed that the applicant was diagnosed with symptomatic crohn's disease and this condition existed prior to his enlistment in Army. The VA had determined that his injuries caused his condition which was unknown at the time; and changed his characterization of service to honorable from service connected disabilities. The VA is not a duly authorized entity to change the characterization of discharge. It appears that the VA granted the applicant an honorable characterization of service for the purpose of receiving medical benefits due to the seriousness of his medical condition. 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 24 July 2019, 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 AR20180014639 1