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

Docket No: 0503-17 

Dear 

This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the provisions ofTitle I0 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 of limitations and consider your application on its merits. A three­member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 17 May 20l7. The names and votes ofthe members of the 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, your naval record and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

You enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period of active duty on 4 June 1987. During the period from 22 October 1987 to 5 April 1988, you received three nonjudicial punishments (NJP) for larceny, being absent from your appointed place ofduty and eight specifications of unauthorized absence. On 24 October 1988, you were convicted by a special court martial (SPCM) of unauthorized absence totaling 130 days. You were sentenced confinement and a bad conduct discharge (BCD). After the BCD was approved at all levels ofreview, you were discharged on 6 December 1989. 

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. The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your desire to upgrade your characterization of service and contention that you suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In regards to your contention, the Board noted that you were provided an additional 60 days to submit documentation supporting your claim of PTSD to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR). It was noted that when your case was presented to the Board for review, you had not provided any additional supporting documentation. The Board concludedthat the severity ofyour misconduct, which resulted in a BCD, outweighed your desire to upgrade your characterization ofservice. 

Regarding your contention that you suffered from PTSD was fully and carefully considered by the Board in light of the 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" of3 September 2014. The memorandum recognizes that these Boards are not investigative bodies, but provides supplemental guidance to assist the Boards in reaching fair and consistent results when considering whether medical or other evidence indicates PTSD may have contributed to or mitigated the circumstances ofa veteran's discharge from the military. However, the Board concluded the information in your service record and statements you provided was not enough to substantiate your claim ofPTSD at the time of your misconduct. Accordingly, your application has been denied. 

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 impo1iant 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 of probable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely, 

Executive Director