DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No. 4084-17 

Dear 

This is in reference to your application for correction ofyour naval record pursuant to the 
provisions of 10 USC 1552. 

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session, 
considered your application on 28 September 2017. The names and votes ofthe members of the 
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 ofthis 
Board. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted ofyour application, together 
with all material submitted in support thereof, relevant portions of your naval record and 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

A review of your record shows you entered active duty with the Marine Corps in January 2012. 
You suffered a left knee injury during your initial training pipeline that was treated with two 
courses of physical therapy before a medical determination was made that your condition would 
not improve. You were diagnosed with Patellofemoral Syndrome and Iliotibial Band Friction 
Syndrome and recommended for discharge for condition not a disability on 16 July 2014. While 
you were being processed for administrative separation, you were selected for advancement to E4 
effective l October 2014. However, you were approved for separation and discharged on 29 
September 2014 for condition not a disability. 

The Board carefully considered your arguments that your narrative reason for separation should 
be changed to disability and you should be promoted to E-4. Unfortunately, the Board disagreed 
with your rationale for relief. First, the Board determined you did not suffer from a qualifying 
disability warranting a change to your narrative reason for separation, The two conditions for 
which you were separated, Patellofemoral Syndrome and Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome, are 
not considered permanent conditions for which referral to a medical board is appropriate. This 
finding by the Board was confirmed by the medical professionals who treated your condition for 
approximately two years with physical therapy and did not refer you to a medical board. In the 
Board's opinion, these two conditions were caused by the rigors of the military environment and 
training requirements that would eventually heal with prolonged rest and treatment. Second, the 
Board concluded that you do not qualify for promotion to E4 since you were discharged from 
active duty prior to the effective date ofyour promotion. Accordingly, the Board was unable to 
find an error or injustice warranting a correction to your record and denied your application. 

It is regretted that the circumstances of your 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 of an official naval record, the 
burden is on the applicant to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely,