DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No: 4000-21 Ref: Signature Date From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records To: Secretary of the Navy Subj: REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD ICO FORMER USN Ref: (a) Title 10 U.S.C. 1552 Encl: (1) DD Form 149 w/attachments 1. Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board), requesting that her naval record be corrected to change her narrative reason for separation to disability. 2. The Board, consisting of , reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 26 August 2021 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 entered active duty with the Navy in August 2014. She reported to medical with shoulder pain that was diagnosed as Bicipital Tendonitis on 5 September 2014. After further testing confirmed her diagnosis, Petitioner was recommended for administrative separation for her shoulder pain based on a determination that it would take her approximately 12 months to recover sufficiently to complete basic training. Petitioner was notified of administrative separation processing for erroneous entry and discharged on 1 October 2014 with an uncharacterized entry-level separation. Post discharge, Petitioner applied for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Certificate of Eligibility for a home loan guarantee but was denied based on her lack of qualifying active duty service. c. In her application to this Board, Petitioner argues that she should have been discharged for a disability vice erroneous entry. Based on her narrative reason for separation, she is unable to qualify for a VA loan guarantee. CONCLUSION Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board finds the existence of an error warranting partial relief. Specifically, the Board determined that the preponderance of the evidence supports changing Petitioner narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority based on lack of evidence she was enlisted in error. The Board found no evidence Petitioner suffered from a shoulder condition prior to her enlistment that would have been disqualifying for active duty service. Therefore, the Board concluded Petitioner should have been administratively discharged for condition not a disability vice erroneous entry for the condition that developed after commencement of her active duty service. Based on the error, the Board concluded it was appropriate to change her narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority. Regarding Petitioner’s request to change her narrative reason for separation to disability, the Board concluded the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that she was unfit for continued naval service due to her shoulder pain. The Board relied on the 16 September 2014 medical report that documented Petitioner’s shoulder pain was not a permanent disability condition that would have prevented her from performing the duties of her office, grade, rank, or rating. That report stated Petitioner would have recovered from her shoulder condition with appropriate therapy. However, based on the length of time required for Petitioner to recover, the Board determined she was appropriately discharged at the convenience of the government for condition not a disability. In the Board’s opinion, since her temporary shoulder condition impaired her performance sufficiently to prevent her from completing basic training, it was within the Navy’s authority to discharge her during her recovery period and reenlist at her discretion. In fact, the Board noted that medical personnel discussed the entry level separation with Petitioner in lieu of extended rehabilitation in the Navy. Finally, the Board considered the fact Petitioner was denied VA home loan guarantees but felt this was insufficient mitigation evidence to merit a change to her record. RECOMMENDATION In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action. Petitioner’s naval record be corrected by changing Petitioner’s narrative reason for separation to “Secretarial Authority” and her SPD code to “JFF.” Petitioner will be issued a new DD Form 214 consistent with this change. 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 Regulation, 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 reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy. 8/30/2021