DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No: 2147-19 Ref: Signature date 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 with respect to your request to upgrade your characterization of service 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, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 8 July 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. You enlisted in the Marine Corps on 28 January 1982. On 24 June 1982, you received nonjudicial punishment for using cocaine. You then received nonjudicial punishment again on 15 July 1982, for disobeying an order not to wear civilian clothes while on restriction. You then received nonjudicial punishment again on 8 July 1983, for unauthorized absence, disobeying an order to prepare for a locker inspection, and using marijuana. You received your fourth nonjudicial punishment on 10 September 1983, for unauthorized absence. You were discharged on 5 January 1984, with a general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service. Your service records do not contain your administrative separation documents, but the Board applies a presumption of regularity in such circumstances. Here, you had several bases for which to receive an other than honorable characterization of service, including two nonjudicial punishments for use of drugs. Thus, it appears that you received some level of clemency by receiving a general (under honorable conditions) rather than an other than honorable discharge. The Board carefully weighed all of your contentions and all potentially mitigating factors, including that you were never convicted by a court-martial and that you have never had any criminal wrongdoing in civilian life. You also contend that you believe you suffered loss as a result of neurobehavioral effects due to the Camp water contamination. The Board reviewed the certificates of achievement and letters of recommendation you submitted with your petition and commends you for your post-service accomplishments. However, after careful consideration of your contentions, the Board did not find evidence of an error or injustice that warrants upgrading your characterization of service In regard to your contention that you were exposed to contaminated water while serving at Camp , Public Law 112-154, “Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012,” requires the Veterans Administration to provide health care to veterans with one or more of 15 specified illnesses or conditions. You should contact the nearest office of the Department of Veterans Affairs concerning your right to apply for benefits or appeal an earlier unfavorable determination. 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,