DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY Docket No: 1710-19 Ref: Signature Date Dear : This 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. Regarding your request for a personal appearance, the Board determined that a personal appearance with or without counsel will not materially add to their understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the Board determined that a personal appearance was not necessary and considered your case based on the evidence of record. A three-member panel of the Board, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 23 June 2020. 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, as well as applicable statutes, regulations, and policies. In addition, the Board considered the 23 December 2019 advisory opinion (AO) furnished by a Navy mental health professional, which was previously provided to you. You enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 11 September 1991. On 18 September 1991, you were briefed on the Navy’s Drug and Alcohol abuse policy. On 8 September 1992, you were diagnosed with Alcohol Dependence, Poly-Drug Abuse and Dependent Personality Disorder. On 25 September 1992, you were notified of administrative discharge action for the convenience of the government due to a personality disorder. On 6 October 1992, you received a general discharge due to “Other Physical/Mental Conditions-Personality Disorder.” On 21 October 1992, your case was forwarded to the separation authority. You had received a psychological evaluation and was diagnosed as having, a dependent personality disorder. You were not considered homicidal or suicidal. However, it was determined that you manifested a long-standing pattern of conduct and behavior that was expect to interfere with adequate adjustment to the naval service. Due to your disorder, character and behavior, you were a risk to harm yourself or others. You request an upgrade of your characterization of service on the basis that you suffered from a mental health condition during 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,” 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 Navy mental health professional further reviewed your request for correction to your record and provided the Board with an AO regarding your assertion you were suffering from a mental health condition. The AO noted your in-service diagnoses of Alcohol Dependence, Poly-Drug Abuse, and Dependent Personality Disorder. You have submitted no information that you had a clinical diagnosis of any mental health conditions, other than your in-service diagnosed personality disorder and substance abuse disorder. The AO concluded that, based on the available evidence, there is insufficient evidence of any additional mental health conditions attributable to your military service that may have mitigated your misconduct or better accounted for your in-service behavior other than the diagnosed personality disorder and substance dependence disorder. The Board carefully weighed all potentially mitigating factors, such as your record of service and desire to upgrade your discharge. The Board also considered your assertions that you believe you were suffering from an undiagnosed mental disorder; and that, at the time of your service, you were a young man who had recently seen your parents get divorced, your grandfather who raised you pass away, and your grandmother be ravaged by Alzheimer’s disease and placed in a nursing home. You state that you have become a productive member of society since your discharge, and you are currently an EMT and a registered nurse for University. The Board concluded these factors and assertions were not sufficient to warrant an upgrade in the characterization of your discharge given your diagnosed personality disorder as the reason for your discharge. Similarly, the Board concluded that the evidence does not support changing your record to show you have no lost time, or that you completed your required time of service. Further, the Board concurred with the AO that there is insufficient evidence of any additional mental health conditions attributable to your military service that may have mitigated your misconduct or better accounted for your in-service behavior other than the diagnosed personality disorder and substance dependence 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 the submission of new matters, which will require you to complete and submit a new DD Form 149. 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,