DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No: 6140-19 Ref: Signature Date From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records To: Secretary of the Navy Ref: (a) Title 10 U.S.C. 1552 Encl: (1) DD Form 149 w/attachments (2) Psychiatric Advisor, CORB letter 1920 CORB: 002 of 8 Apr 20 (3) Director CORB letter 1920 CORB: 001 of 14 Apr 20 1. Pursuant to the reference, Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board), requesting that Petitioner’s naval record be corrected to place her on the disability retirement list. 2. The Board, consisting of , reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 23 April 2020 and, pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, relevant portions of naval records, and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 3. The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record pertaining to Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice, finds as follows: a. Before applying to this Board, Petitioner exhausted all administrative remedies available under existing law and regulations within the Department of the Navy. b. Petitioner commissioned from the Naval Academy and commenced active duty on 26 May 2006 as a Surface Warfare Officer. After completing Advanced Nuclear Power and Prototype Training in 2009, she was eventually assigned to the USS . After serving without incident for a period of time, Petitioner displayed mental health symptoms that led to her hospitalization for psychiatric observation in September 2011. Despite a diagnosis of Delusional Disorder and being found not psychologically fit for duty, Petitioner was allowed to depart on terminal leave and discharge on 1 November 2011 at the completion of her required active service. c. Post-discharge, Petitioner’s mental health condition continued to hamper her ability to function. She was academically dropped from her doctorate program and hospitalized on several occasions for aggressive behavior related to her deteriorating mental health condition. Despite completing law school, Petitioner was unable to maintain employment, placed on probation for her behavior, and diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. d. In correspondence attached at enclosures (2) and (3), the office having cognizance over Petitioner’s request to be placed on the disability retirement list determined that the evidence supports relief. The Advisory Opinion opined that Petitioner was more likely than not unfit for continued naval service at the time of her discharge from the Navy based on the medical evidence that showed she was showing symptoms of delusion since June 2011 that was diagnosed as a Delusional Disorder in October 2011. They determined that she would have been assigned a 100% rating for Bipolar Disorder based on her symptoms at the time. CONCLUSION Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board finds the existence of an error warranting relief. In this regard, the Board concurred with the Advisory Opinion at enclosures (2) and (3). Specifically, the Board determined that Petitioner was unfit for continued naval service due to a Bipolar Disorder at the time of her discharge from the Navy based on her symptoms of delusion and inability to function in a military environment. The Board also relied on Petitioner’s post-discharge medical history to substantiate her Bipolar Disorder, more likely than not, existed prior to her discharge from the Navy and prevented her from performing the duties of her office, grade, rank or rating. Accordingly, the Board felt her placement on the Permanent Disability Retirement List, effective the date of her discharge from the Navy, with a 100% disability rating consistent with her assigned Department of Veterans Affairs rating was appropriate. RECOMMENDATION In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action. Petitioner’s naval record be corrected by placing Petitioner on the Permanent Disability Retirement List for Bipolar Disorder, VASRD Code 9432, with a disability rating of 100%, effective the date of her discharge from the Navy. Petitioner’s disability condition was not the result of a combat-related injury as defined in Title 26, United States Code, Section 104(b)(3). 4. It is certified that a quorum was present at the Board’s review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board’s proceedings in the above-entitled matter. 5. Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedures of the Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 723.6(e)) and having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing corrective action, taken under the authority of the reference, has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.