DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No: 5577-17 Dear This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the provisions of Title 10, United States Code, section 1552. After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board found the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice. Consequently, your application has been denied. 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 three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 30 October 2018. The names and votes of the 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 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. You enlisted in the Navy on 27 June 88. On 14 December 1988, you received a psychiatric evaluation and were diagnosed with a personality disorder that existed prior to enlistment. As a result, your commanding officer (CO) recommended that you be discharged with an entry-level characterization of service due to a personality disorder that existed prior to enlistment. The discharge authority approved this recommendation and directed your entry-level separation due to a personality disorder that existed prior to enlistment. On 22 December 1988, you were discharged. The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your desire to change your characterization of service and the narrative reason for separation, as well as your contentions that your diagnosis of personality disorder was unfounded because you did not tell the examining psychiatrist you were suicidal or may harm others, and that your discharge by reason of convenience of the government due to personality disorder was erroneous because you did not have a personality disorder, as evidenced by your claim that you have not seen a psychiatrist since being discharged. The Board, however, found that these factors were not sufficient to warrant changing your characterization of service or the narrative reason for your separation. The Board also noted that you were notified of your separation processing within 180 days of the beginning of your period of active service. Applicable regulations authorize an uncharacterized entry level separation if the processing of an individual's separation begins within 180 days of the individual's entry on active service. In regard to your contention that your diagnosis of personality disorder was unfounded because you did not tell the examining psychiatrist you were suicidal or may harm others, the Board noted that there is no evidence in your record, and you submitted none, to support your contention. In contrast, your records contain evidence that, in fact, you were admitted to the hospital for evaluation due to suicidal ideation, and that, upon discharge from the hospital, you told the psychiatrist that you would harm yourself by pill overdose were you to remain on active duty. In regard to your contention that your discharge by reason of convenience of the government due to personality disorder was erroneous because you did not have a personality disorder, the Board noted that you did not submit evidence to support your claim that you have not seen a psychiatrist since being discharged, and that, in any event, such a claim is immaterial to your diagnosis of personality disorder at the time of your separation, a diagnosis that was adequately supported in the record and that you have not rebutted. 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 of regularity 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, Executive Director Docket No: 5577-17