DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No: 2294-17 

JUL 1 3 2018 

This is in reference to your application for correction ofyour naval record pursuant to the 
provisions oftitle 10 of the United States Code, section 1552. After careful and conscientious 
consideration ofthe entire record, the Board found the evidence submitted was insufficient to 
establish the existence ofprobable material error or injustice. Consequently, your application 
has been denied. 

A three-member panel ofthe Board for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session, 
considered your application on 2 April 2018. The names and votes ofthe members ofthe panel 
will be furnished upon request. Your allegations oferror 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, relevant portions ofyour naval record and 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies. In addition, the Board considered the advisory 
opinion (AO) furnished by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery dated 8 August 2017, a copy of 
which was previously provided to you and is enclosed. 

You enlisted in the Navy and began a period ofactive duty on 27 May 1987. Your record shows 
that on 3 June 1987, you were briefed on the Navy's policy regarding drug and alcohol abuse. 
On 2 August 1988, you received nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for drunkenness, being 

incapacitated for the proper performance ofduty. On 6 June 1991, you received NJP for 
unauthorized absence, three specifications ofmaking a false official statement, and wrongful 
possession and use ofmarijuana. Subsequently, administrative discharge action was initiated, 
and after being afforded all ofyour procedural rights, one ofwhich was to request to have your 
case heard before an administrative discharge board, you received an other than honorable 
discharge on 8 August 1991, due to misconduct for drug abuse. 

You request an upgrade of your characterization ofservice on the basis that you suffered from 
unrecognized Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at.the time ofyour military service. Your 
request 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 ofMilitaryINaval Records Considering Requests by Veterans 
for Modification of their Discharge Due to Mental Health Conditions, Sexual Assault, or Sexual 
Harassment" memorandum of25 August 2017. 

BUMED also reviewed your request for correction to your record and provided the BCNR with 
an AO opinion regarding your assertion you were suffering from PTSD during your service. The 
AO noted, in part, you saw individuals killed in front ofyou, heard individuals being raped in a 
room next to you, and saw a service member commit suicide. However, you did not specify any 
details (dates, locations, circumstances) regarding the alleged incidents. It was also noted that in 
October 2016, you were diagnosed with PTSD, unspecified, but again, you did not specify the 
date, location, or circumstances regarding the events. The AO states that without a timeframe of 
the events, it is impossible to determine ifthey affected your job performance or contributed to 
your misconduct. However, you presented no administrative in-service documents to 
corroborate your assertions, and there are no in-service medical records submitted which 
specified mental health symptoms consistent with PTSD. The AO concluded that you admitted 
to marijuana use prior to your service, so your drug use could have been a continuation or prior 
use rather than an attempt to self-medicate. 

The BCNR concurred with the A O's statement that there is insufficient evidence to support your 
contention that you suffered from PTSD during your time in service which contributed to your 
misconduct. The BCNR determined that the nature ofyour misconduct supported your OTH 
discharge. Even under the liberal consideration standard, the Board found the seriousness of 
your misconduct, merited your OTH discharge. 

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 iajustice. 

Sincerely, 


Executive Director