Docket No: 
Ref: Signature date 

Dear : 

This is in reference to your reconsideration request of Docket No: . You previously 
petitioned the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) and were advised that your 
application had been denied. Your case was reconsidered in accordance with Board procedures 
that conform to Lipsman v. Secretary of the Army, 335F.Supp.2d 48 (D.D.C. 2004). 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 reconsideration request has been denied. 

Because your application was submitted with new evidence not previously considered, the Board 
found it in the interest of justice to review your application. Your current request has been 
carefully examined by a three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session on 
The names and votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon request. 
Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of your application and all material 
submitted in support of your application, relevant portions of your naval record, applicable 
statues, regulations, and policies, as well as the advisory opinion (AO), which 
was previously provided to you, is enclosed, and for which you did not provide any additional 
material upon our request or in response. 

You presented as new evidence, medical documentation regarding your present ongoing 
treatment, and a list of your medical problems, including a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress 
disorder (PTSD). You requested an upgrade to your characterization of service on the basis that 
you were suffering from PTSD at the time of your military service. 

Your request was fully and carefully considered by the Board in light of the Secretary of 
Defense’s 3 September 2014 memorandum, “Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for 
Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requested by Veterans 
Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” of, the 25 August 2017 memorandum “Clarifying 
Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval 
Records Considering Requests by Veterans for Modification of their Discharge Due to Mental 
Health Conditions, Sexual Assault, or Sexual Harassment,” and the 25 July 2018 memorandum, 
“Guidance to Military Discharge Review boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval 
Records Regarding Equity, Injustice, or Clemency Determinations.” 

A qualified Navy mental health professional also reviewed your request for correction to your 
record regarding your assertion of suffering from PTSD. The AO states, in part, that 
unfortunately, you submitted no post-service treatment records. At this time, there is insufficient information to attribute your post-service diagnosis of PTSD to your military service. There is no indication in your service record that you incurred a traumatic or life-threatening event during your military service. Post-service treatment records describing your PTSD symptoms, and their specific link to your misconduct are required to render an opinion. Should you wish to submit those medical records, they will be reviewed in the context of your claim. At this time, based on the available evidence, there is insufficient evidence that your misconduct should be attributed to symptoms of PTSD. 

The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as the AO, your request to 
upgrade your character of service, and contentions that you were too childish when you were in 
the Marine Corps, you have tried to live an honorable life, over the past five years you had 
heart conditions, you want to go to your grave under honorable conditions, and your suffering 
from PTSD was a reason for your misconduct. The Board concurred with the AO statement 
and found insufficient evidence to support your contention that you had service connected 
PTSD which contributed to your misconduct. 

It is regretted that the circumstances of your reconsideration petition are such that favorable 
action cannot be taken again. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon 
submission of new matters. New matters are those not previously presented to or considered by 
the Board. In the absence of sufficient new matters for reconsideration, the decision of the Board 
is final, and your only recourse would be to seek relief, at no cost to the Board, from a court of 
appropriate jurisdiction. 

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.