DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD. SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No: 2516-17 OCT 09 2017 From: Chairman, Board for Correction ofNaval Records To: Secretary ofthe Navy 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 (!) with this Board requesting, in effect, that the applicable naval record be corrected to award Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) for his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 2. The Board, consisting of reviewed Petitioner's allegations oferror and injustice on 14 September 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 ofthe enclosures, naval records, and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 3. The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record 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 entered active duty with the Marine Corps in August 1965 and eventually deployed to the Republic ofVietnam as a Rifleman in February 1966. During his time in Vietnam, he participated in at least four operations. c. On 24 February 1968, approximately one year after his return from Vietnam, Petitioner was involved in a serious automobile accident that resulted in his placement on the Permanent Disability Retirement List. d. Post-discharge, Petitioner was rated by the Department ofVeterans Affairs (VA) for PTSD along with a number of other service connected disabilities. He applied for CRSC and was approved for a number ofhis VA rated disabilities but denied for his PTSD. e. Petitioner asserts through a personal statement that he developed his PTSD as a result of traumatic experienced directly related to armed conflict. CONCLUSION Upon review and consideration ofall the evidence of record, the Board finds the existence ofan injustice warranting the following corrective action. The Board concluded that Petitioner provided sufficient evidence to support a finding that his PTSD condition was developed as a direct result ofarmed conflict experienced while participating in multiple operations in Vietnam between February 1966 and February 1968. The Board concluded that Petitioner's record that documented extensive involvement in combat operations with the enemy was sufficient evidence to support the finding that specific combat incidents, i.e. rocket and mortar attacks during combat engagement with the enemy, caused his PTSD. However, as pointed out in the 8 November 2016 letter from President, CRSC Board, Petitioner will not receive higher CRSC pay as a result of this decision since his retirement pay is capped by his gross years ofservice at $85. RECOMMENDATION That Petitioner's naval record be corrected, where appropriate, to show that: Petitioner was approved for CRSC for PTSD, VASRD 9411, with a 100% rating at the earliest authorized effective date based on his CRSC application and VA record. A copy ofthis Report ofProceedings will be filed in Petitioner's naval record. 4. It is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board' s proceedings in the above entitled matter. 5. Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in S on 6 e revised Procedures of the Board for Correction ofNaval Records (32 Code of Federal 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