DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE  1001
ARLINGTON,  VA  22204-2490

Docket No. 8025-19 
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.

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 case on its merits. A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive session, considered your application on 7 November 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.

A review of your record shows that you entered active duty with the Navy on 2 March 1999. On 16 March 1999, you were seen by cardiology for heart palpitations and diagnosed with preexisting Supraventricular tachycardia. Based on your condition, you were recommended for administrative separation and discharged on 25 March 1999 with an uncharacterized entry level separation for failure to meet medical/physical procurement standards.

The Board carefully considered your arguments that you deserve a change to your narrative reason for separation to disability. You assert that your heart condition, even though preexisting, was aggravated by your period of active duty. Unfortunately, the Board disagreed with your rationale for relief. In order to qualify for military disability benefits, a service member must incur or aggravate a disability condition while on active duty. Aggravation of a disability is defined as progressing beyond the natural progression of the condition while on active duty. In your case, the Board noted that you entered the Navy with a history of heart palpitations and dizziness that resulted in your hospitalization in 1998. After entering active duty, you reported similar symptoms of heart palpitation and lightheadedness. Based on the medical reports from 16-17 March 1999, the Board concluded your preexisting disability condition was not aggravated by your active duty service since its symptoms remained largely the same as when you were hospitalized the year prior. In the Board’s opinion, you were correctly administratively separated for failing to meet procurement standards since your heart condition was a disqualifying medical condition that was asymptomatic at the time of enlistment. The preponderance of the evidence did not show that your condition progressed beyond its 1998 symptoms. Therefore, the Board determined no service aggravation occurred. According, the Board found insufficient evidence of error or injustice to warrant a change to your record.

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, 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,