DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No: 8828-16 
MAY 07 2017 

From: Chairman, Board for Correction ofNaval Records 
To: Secretary ofthe Navy 

Subj: REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD ICO 

Ref: (a) Title 10 U.S.C. 1552 

Encl: (1) DD Form 149 w/attachments 
(2) Subject's naval record 

1. Pursuant to the provisions ofreference (a) Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed 
enclosure (1) with this Board requesting, in effect, that the applicable naval record be corrected 
to grant her Combat Related Special Compensation for her Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 
(PTSD). 

2. The Board, consisting of , reviewed 
Petitioner's allegations oferror and injustice on 13 April 2017 and, pursuant to its regulations, 
determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence 
ofrecord. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, naval 
records, and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

3. The Board, having reviewed all the facts ofrecord pertaining to Petitioner's allegations of 
error and injustice, finds as follows: 

a. Before applying to this Board, Petitioner exhausted all administrative remedies available 
under existing law and regulations within the Department ofthe Navy. 

b. Petitioner was deployed to Afghanistan in April 2010 when she was injured during a 
vehicle accident requiring her return to CONUS. After her return, she described two combatrelated 
incidents where she was almost struck by sniper bullets. These incidents, along with 
other experiences in Afghanistan, led to her diagnosis ofPTSD in 2011 and referral to a medical 
board. 

c. Petitioner was placed on the Temporary Disability Retirement List effective 31 August 
2012 as a result of a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) finding ofunfitness for continued naval 
service due to PTSD. Her condition was rated at 50% by the PEB and determined to have been 
incurred in a combat zone as a direct result of armed conflict in accordance with 26 USC 
104(b)(3). 

d. Petitioner applied for CRSC and was denied by the CRSC Board on 8 September 2016 due 
to lack ofevidence that her condition was incurred as a direct result ofarmed conflict. 

CONCLUSION 

Upon review and consideration ofall the evidence ofrecord, the Board finds the existence of an 
injustice warranting the following corrective action. 

The Board concluded sufficient evidence exists to support a finding that Petitioner's PTSD 
condition was incurred as a result ofthe two combat-related incidents in Afghanistan where she 
was nearly shot by snipers. While there was no documentary evidence ofthe actual sniper 
incidents provided by the Petitioner or in her service record, the Board relied upon the PEB' s 
medical determination that Petitioner's PTSD was incurred as a direct result ofarmed conflict. 
The PEB relied upon the medical records of Petitioner's assertions ofthe sniper incidents to 
support their findings under 26 USC 104(b )(3). This evidence was also determined to be 
sufficient evidence to support the Board's decision to find Petitioner's disability was incurred as 
a direct result ofa specific combat-related event under 10 USC 1413a. 

RECOMMENDATION 

That Petitioner's naval record be corrected, where appropriate, to show that: 

a. Petitioner's PTSD and major depressive disorder, V ASRD 9434/9411, was incurred 
as a direct result ofarmed conflict and is determined to be combat-related under Title 10, United 
States Code 1413a. CRSC Board will determined the applicable disability percentage and 
effective date for CRSC based on Petitioner's PEB and Department ofVeterans Affairs records. 

b. A copy ofthis Report ofProceedings will be filed in Petitioner's naval record. 

4. It is certified that quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the the above entitled matter. 

5. Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out · ofthe revised Procedures of the 
Board for Correction ofNaval Records (32 Code ofFederal Regulations, Section 723.6(e)) and 
having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing 
corrective action, taken under the authority ofreference (a), has been approved by the Board on 
behalf ofthe Secretary ofthe Navy. 

Executive Director