Docket No: 611-18 Dear This letter is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552. After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board) found the evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or injustice. Consequently, your application has been denied. A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 25 February 2019. 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. In addition, the Board considered the enclosed 30 August 2018 advisory opinion (AO) furnished by a Navy mental health professional, which was previously provided to you. You enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period of active duty on 3 April 1989. On 4 June 1990, you were counseled regarding underage drinking, and warned that further deficiencies in your performance and/or conduct could result in administrative discharge action. On 6 and 25 June 1990, you received nonjudicial punishment (NJP) for having alcoholic beverages in the barracks and disobeying a lawful order. On 21 July 1991, you were evaluated and recommended for inpatient Level-III alcohol rehabilitation treatment. On 26 Jul and 25 November 1991, you received NJP for having alcoholic beverages in the barracks, diving on base with a revoked state driver’s license, and being absent from you appointed place of duty. On 25 November 1991, you were counseled regarding your performance and conduct, and warned that further deficiencies in your performance and/or conduct could result in administrative discharge action. On 23 January 1992, you received NJP for driving under the influence of alcohol. On 27 March 1992, the separation authority directed that you receive an other than honorable (OTH) discharge due to a pattern of misconduct. You received your OTH discharge on 31 March 1992. You request an upgrade of your characterization of service on the basis that you suffered from unrecognized post-traumatic stress disorder (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 memorandum, “Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/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 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” memorandum of 25 August 2017. A Navy mental health profession further reviewed your request and provided the Board with an AO regarding your assertion you were suffering from PTSD during your service. The AO noted that you submitted a statement regarding your experiences in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The AO stated that, unfortunately, anecdotal statements do not suffice as clinical evidence. The AO explained that such documents as medical/clinical intake forms and/or psychotherapy notes which contain diagnosis, history, etiology, treatment, and recommendations are necessary in order to render a fair and thorough medical opinion in your case. The AO noted that your records indicate that you manifested a long-standing pattern of alcohol abuse and dependence which appeared to run in your family. It explains that your command referred you for a substance abuse assessment after your third NJP. As noted by the AO, during that assessment you disclosed that you had your first taste of alcohol at age five, began drinking regularly by age 16, and considered yourself a “heavy drinker” by age 19. That assessment also revealed that you had two emergency room visits while on active duty for accidental and minor injuries you incurred following your consumption of alcohol. The substance abuse medical officer diagnosed you as alcohol dependent and referred you to in-patient Level-III treatment. Substance abuse treatment includes mental health assessment and, as noted by the AO, no documents in your service record mention or point toward any traumatic events. The AO further noted that your alcohol abuse preceded your deployment and military service and, therefore, determined that it is more likely that your misconduct was the unfortunate result of alcohol dependence, rather than from any traumatic experiences from your deployment. You incurred your fourth and fifth NJPs after completing Level-III treatment, at which point your command recommended that you be administratively separated. The AO opined that your records do not indicate behavior associated with PTSD, but rather with long-standing alcohol dependence. The AO concluded that your case lacks sufficient evidence to maintain that your misconduct can be attributed to PTSD or to any PTSD-related disorder. The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your record of service, your desire to upgrade your discharge based on your war time service, and your written statement. The Board also considered your assertions that you were a young man with a serious, PTSD-related, alcohol problem. Similarly, the Board considered your contentions that all of your NJP’s were alcohol-related, that you were never court-martialed, and that your PTSD caused you to accept an OTH discharge. The Board found that these factors and assertions were not sufficient to warrant recharacterization of your discharge given the fact that you were warned of the consequences of further misconduct in conjunction with your five NJP’s. The Board considered your service record, including your combat service, and concurred with the AO’s statement that there are no documents within your service record which mention or point toward any traumatic events. The Board found that your records do not indicate behavior associated with PTSD, but rather with a long-standing dependence to alcohol. Accordingly, the Board agreed with the AO that your case lacks sufficient evidence to maintain that your misconduct can be attributed to PTSD or to any PTSD-related disorder. It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that favorable action cannot be taken.  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 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