DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No. 2788-17 
DEC 13 2017 

Dear 

This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the 
provisions of title 10 of the United States Code, section 1552. 

Although your application was not filed in a timely manner, the Board found it in the interest of 
justice to waive the statute oflimitations and consider your application on its merits. A threemember 
panel of the Board for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session, 
considered your application on 13 November 2017. The names and votes ofthe members ofthe 
panel will be furnished upon request. Your allegations of error 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 of your naval record and 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies. The advisory opinion provided in BUMED memo 
5740 Ser M34/17UM34221 27 July 2017 was sent to you on 14 August 2017 for an opportunity 
to comment prior to being considered by the Board. 

You enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period ofactive duty on 1 November 1983 and 
were released from active duty with an honorable character of service by reason of completion of 
required active service on 31 October 1987. The Board noted that although you experienced 
traumatic events during your period of active duty that called for your post service diagnosis of 
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), you continued to serve with performance scores above 
standards from a 4.3 to 4.9 for proficiency and 4.4 to 4.8 for conduct from April 1984 until 
January 1987 and there was no evidence in your record that you did not fully recover from your 
condition. 

Even though your request is not to upgrade your characterization of service due to PTSD, your 
contention that you suffered from PTSD was fully and carefully considered by the Board in light 
ofthe Secretary ofDefense's Memorandum, "Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for 
Correction ofMilitary/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 ofMilitary/Naval Records 
Considering Requests by Veterans for Modification oftheir Discharge Due to Mental Health 
Conditions, Sexual Assault, or Sexual Harassment" memorandum of25 August 2017. The 
memorandum provides supplemental guidance to assist these Boards in reaching fair and 
consistent results when considering whether medical or other evidence indicates PTSD may have 
contributed to or mitigated the circumstances of a veteran's discharge from the military. 
In reviewing a veterans request to change the characterization ofservice, the memorandum 
instructs Boards to give liberal consideration to service treatment or other records documenting 
symptoms now recognized as PTSD existed during the time of service. However, in your case 
the supplemental guidance does not apply to you since you were discharged with an honorable 
characterization ofservice. 

After careful and conscientious consideration ofthe entire record, the Board found that the 
evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence ofprobable material error or 
injustice. The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, including your 
assertion of PTSD as a reason for your request to be medically retired and placed on the 
disability retirement list. Members are placed on medical retirement when the medical condition 
precludes the member from reasonably performing the duties ofhis or her office, grade, rank, or 
rating. The Board substantially concmred with the comments contained in the advisory opinion. 
You were not diagnosed with PTSD while in service. There were no in-service medical records 
submitted which specified mental health symptoms consistent with PTSD, in fact there was an 
evaluation where you denied mental health type symptoms. The Board reviewed your 
performance evaluations from April 1984 until January 1987 and noted that you performed well 
during your enlistment. The Board concluded these factors were not sufficient to warrant relief 
in your case and that you did not provide sufficient evidence ofan error or injustice to support 
your claim. Accordingly, your application has been denied. 

It is regretted that the circumstances ofyour case are such that favorable action cannot be taken. 
You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon submission ofnew evidence 
within one year from the date ofthe Board's decision. New evidence is evidence not previously 
considered by the Board prior to making its decision in this case. In this regard, 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 ofprobable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely, 

Executive Director