DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No: 1917-17/ 11402-14 

Dear

This is in reference to your latest reconsideration request dated 10 February 2017. You 
previously petitioned the Board and were advised in our letter dated 8 December 2015 that your 
application had been disapproved. Your case was reconsidered in accordance with Board of 
Correction ofNaval Records procedures that conform to Lipsman v. Secretary ofthe Army, 
335.Supp.2d 48 (D.D.C 2004). 

Accordingly, your request has been carefully examined by a three-member panel ofthe Board 
for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session on 1 September 2017. The names 
and votes of the members ofthe panel will be furnished upon request. Documentary material 
considered by the Board consisted of your application, any material submitted in support of your 
application, and the enclosed Advisory Opinion (AO) from the Chief, Bureau ofMedicine and 
Surgery dated 25 July 2017. 

Regarding your request for a personal appearance, the Board determined that a personal 
appearance with or without counsel will not materially add to their understanding of the issue( s) 
involved. Therefore, the Board determined that a personal appearance was not necessary and 
considered your case based on the evidence of record. 

After careful and conscientious consideration ofthe record, the Board found the evidence 
submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice. The 
Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your contention that you have 
been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to severe burns incurred 
onboard the in 1966, and that your PTSD was undiagnosed at the time, and 
caused your other than honorable discharge. 

Your contention that you suffered from PTSD was fully and carefully considered by the Board in 
light ofthe Secretary of Defense's Memorandum, "Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards 
for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requested by 
Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" of 3 September 2014 and the "Clarifying 
Guidance to Military Discharge Review Board and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval 
Records Considering Requests by Veterans for Modification of their Discharge Due to Mental 
Health Conditions, Sexual Assault, or Sexual Harassment" memorandum of25 August 2017. 

In accordance with the guidance, the Board gave liberal and special consideration to your record 
and your statements about traumatic events. After applying these guidelines to the evidence in 
the case, and although you were diagnosed with PTSD, and the AO opined that you suffered 
from a mental health condition at the time of service that interfered with your judgement and led 
to your discharge, the Board was not able to substantiate a nexus between PTSD and your 
premature discharge. The Board noted that your characterization ofservice is General (under 
honorable conditions) and not other than honorable, as stated in your application. Character of 
service is based, in part, on overall trait averages which are computed from scores assigned 
during periodic evaluations. You received a 2.0 score for proficiency and 2.6 for military 
behavior in March 1966, before the accident that caused severe bums to your arms. You 
received the same scores in June 1966, after the bums. Thus, your overall trait average (OTA) 
was 2.3. An OTA of3.0 was required at the time of your separation for a fully honorable 
characterization of service. Accordingly, your application has been denied. 

The Board believes that under current regulations you may be eligible for veterans' benefits. 
Whether or not you are eligible for benefits is a matter under the cognizance ofthe Department 
ofVeterans Affairs (DVA), and you should contact the nearest office of the DVA concerning 
your right to apply for benefits. 

It is regretted that the circumstances ofyour reconsideration petition are such that favorable 
action cannot be taken again. 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 the absence of sufficient new and material evidence for reconsideration, the 
decision of the Board is final, and your only recourse would be to seek relief, at no cost to the 
Board, from a court of appropriate jurisdiction. 

It is important to keep in mind that a presumption of regularity 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 of probable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely, 

Executive Director