DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No. 8858-16 Dear [NAME REDACTED], This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the provisions of 10 use 1552. A three-member panel ofthe Board for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 20 April 2017. Your allegations oferror and iajustice were reviewed in accordance with administrative regulations and procedures applicable to the proceedings ofthis Board. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted ofyour application, together with all material submitted in support thereof, your naval record and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. A review ofyour record shows you entered active duty in October 2000 with the Navy and served approximately 14 years and six months ofservice before you were discharged. On 4 December 2014, you were diagnosed with adjustment disorder due to work and family stressors but allowed to continue serving on active duty. However, non-judicial punishment was imposed on you for failing to perform ejection seat maintenance in accordance with regulations resulting in your administrative reduction in rank. Due to your reduction in rank to E-4, you were administratively processed for separation due to High Year Tenure (HYT) based on your years of service, rank, and lack ofa HYT waiver. You were discharged on 4 March 2016 with an Honorable characterization of service due to HYT. The Board carefully considered your arguments that you were improperly discharged since you were suffering from a medical condition that warranted your referral to the Disability Evaluation System. Unfortunately, the Board disagreed with your rationale for relief. Your medical record shows that you were diagnosed with an adjustment disorder. SECNAVINST 1850.4E excludes adjustment disorders from the defmition ofa qualifying disability under the Disability Evaluation System. This led the Board to conclude that you were not medically qualified to be referred to a medical board and were properly discharged for HYT based on your record. The fact a counselor in the Department ofVeterans Affairs may have a personal opinion regarding your medical condition did not convince the Board you were improperly diagnosed by the Psychiatry Department ofNaval Medical Center Portsmouth. You were consistently diagnosed with an adjustment disorder by psychiatric medical personnel from your initial diagnosis in 2014 until your discharge from the Navy and determined to be psychiatrically fit for duty. Consistent with the medical diagnoses, your last performance evaluation also shows that you were performing well despite your adjustment disorder and did not suffer from a substantial occupational impairment that made you unfit for continued naval service due to a disability. These facts led the Board to conclude you were, in fact, suffering from an adjustment disorder prior to your discharge but still able to perform your military duties. It also led the Board to find that you were mentally responsible for the misconduct that led to your reduction in rate and subsequent discharge for HYT. Accordingly, the Board was unable to find an error or injustice warranting a correction to your record and denied your application. The names and votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon request. It is regretted that the circumstances ofyour case are such that favorable action cannot be taken at this time. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon the submission of new and material evidence. New evidence is evidence not previously considered by the Board. In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that a presumption ofregularity attaches to all official records. Consequently, when applying for a correction ofan official naval record, the burden is on the applicant to demonstrate the existence ofprobable material error or injustice. Sincerely, Executive Director