DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 

Docket No. 1056-16 

Dear

This is in reference to your application for correction of your 
deceased husband's naval record pursuant to the provisions of 
10 USC 1552. 

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, 
sitting in executive session, considered your application on 
7 March 2016. Your allegations of error and injustice were reviewed 
in accordance with administrative regulations and procedures 
applicable to the proceedings of this Board. Documentary material 
considered by the Board consisted of your application, together with 
all material submitted in support thereof, your deceased husband's 
naval record and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, 
the Board found that the evidence submitted was insufficient to 
establish the existence of probable material error or injustice. 
Per the Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation, 
Volume 7B, Chapters 42-46, a service member must elect or decline 
coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) before retired pay 
becomes payable, or if there is no eligible beneficiary at that time, 
within 1-year of acquiring an eligible beneficiary. You were married 
 but a valid election of SBP spouse coverage was not submitted to the Defense Finance and Accounting 
Service (DFAS) as required by the regulation. Accordingly, your 
application has been denied. The names and votes of the members of 
the panel will be furnished upon request. 

It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that 
favorable action cannot be taken. You are entitled to have the Board 
reconsider its decision upon submission of new.evidence within one 
year from the date of the Board's decision. New evidence is evidence 
not previously considered by the Board prior to making its decision in 
this case. In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that a 
presumption of regularity attaches to all official records. 

Consequently, when applying for a correction of an official naval 
record, the burden is on the applicant to demonstrate the existence of 
probable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely, 


Executive-Director