RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02423 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His narrative reason for separation be changed to reflect Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression rather than Personality Disorder. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He has been diagnosed with PTSD and depression by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The narrative reason of personality disorder has prevented him from obtaining employment. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides an expanded statement, a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, a Chronological Record of Medical Care, a letter from his psychologist and a letter from the Disabled American Veterans National Service Office. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 23 Sep 98, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 6 Nov 06, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force for a condition that interfered with military service – mental disorders. The specific reason for the discharge was the applicant’s diagnosis of an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety/depressed mood and a personality disorder. The social worker and psychologist diagnosed the applicant’s condition as being so severe that his ability to function effectively in a military environment was significantly impaired. On 6 Nov 06, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the action. On 15 Mar 07, after consulting with legal counsel, the applicant waived his right to an administrative discharge board. On 22 Mar 07, the legal office reviewed the case and found it legally sufficient to support separation and recommended the applicant be furnished a honorable discharge without probation and rehabilitation. On 30 Mar 07, the command legal office reviewed the case and recommended the applicant’s unconditional waiver be accepted and he be furnished an honorable discharge without probation and rehabilitation. The discharge authority directed the applicant be furnished an honorable discharge without probation and rehabilitation. On 2 Apr 07, the applicant was so discharged with a narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder ½ separation pay.” He was credited with eight years, six months, and ten days of total active service. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial noting the documentation in the applicant’s master personnel records indicates the discharge, to include the narrative reason for separation, was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. The mental evaluation confirmed the existence of a mental disorder of such a severity that the applicant’s ability to function in a military environment was significantly impacted. The applicant’s commander indicated the applicant’s personality disorder had an adverse effect on his duty performance and he lost all confidence in the applicant’s ability to perform his duties. Although it may appear the applicant may be coping well in his civilian capacity, it does not change the basis for which he was discharged. The military environment is unique and the stressors encountered in this environment may not appear or surface when removed from the military environment. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial of the applicant’s request to change his narrative reason for separation to reflect PTSD and Depression rather than Personality Disorder. During his service, the applicant underwent a mental health evaluation and was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder and the presence of a personality disorder. Although it was determined the applicant did not have a psychiatric disorder that warranted processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES), it was noted the personality disorder was so severe that it would impact his ability to function in a military environment; and that his adjustment disorder placed him at risk for harming himself and others. However, the applicant’s DVA Clinical Psychologist states the applicant has been diagnosed with PTSD, does not have a diagnosis of personality disorder, and does not meet the criteria for a personality disorder. While there are two differing medical opinions regarding the applicant’s mental health status, Medicine is both an Art and a Science, and unfortunately the Medical Consultant cannot see the applicant through the eyes of the clinicians making an evaluation in 2006. However, notwithstanding the evaluations made by the DVA some seven years later, the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence to override the opinions made in 2006. At the same time, while the applicant's current narrative reason for separation of personality disorder may be administratively correct, it is not technically accurate given the fact the applicant was also diagnosed with an adjustment disorder. As such, it would be an injustice for the applicant to continue to suffer the stigma of an inaccurate narrative reason for separation, when the applicant’s disqualifying condition is more accurately described as an adjustment disorder. Therefore, while the evidence presented is not sufficient to conclude the applicant’s narrative reason for separation should indicate he was discharged for PTSD and Depression, for the reasons noted above, his narrative reason for separation should be changed to reflect Secretarial Authority. A complete copy of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 14 Aug 13 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). On 15 Aug 13, the applicant indicated he would be submitting a rebuttal (Exhibit F). However, as of this date, no response has been received by this office. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with respect to the applicant’s request that his narrative reason for separation be changed to reflect Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression, rather than Personality Disorder. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we are not convinced the evidence supports the applicant had a medical condition that warranted processing through the disability evaluation system (DES). Furthermore, there is no evidence in the applicant’s military records and the documentation provided that indicates he was treated or diagnosed with PTSD. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant and adopt his rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice with respect to the basis of his discharge. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 4. Notwithstanding the above we believe it would be in the interest of justice to change the applicant’s narrative reason for separation to “Secretarial Authority.” In this respect, we agree with the comments of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant indicating that while the applicant’s narrative reason for separation of “Personality Disorder” may be administratively correct, it is not technically accurate. Additionally, we note “Personality Disorder” was used for all unsuiting mental health disorders at the time of the applicant’s discharge, even in cases such as his when the diagnosis was adjustment disorder, not personality disorder. “Personality Disorder” did not properly distinguish the other mental disorders for which a service member could be separated and “Adjustment Disorder” was eventually approved as a valid reason for separation. Although action and disposition of the applicant’s case appears to be in compliance with the Air Force directives in effect at the time of his discharge, we believe it would be an injustice for the applicant to continue to suffer the stigma of such a characterization. Therefore, we recommend that his records be corrected to the extent indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that at the time of his discharge on 2 April 2007, the narrative reason for his discharge was “Secretarial Authority,” with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “KFF.” ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-02423 in Executive Session on 6 Mar 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-02423 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 9 Feb 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 3 Jul 13. Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 13 Aug 13 Exhibit E. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 14 Aug 13, w/atchs. Exhibit F. Email Correspondence, Applicant, dated 15 Aug 13. Chair AFBCMR BC-2013-02423 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code it is directed that: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating APPLICANT be corrected to show that at the time of his discharge on 2 April 2007, the narrative reason for his discharge was “Secretarial Authority,” with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of “KFF.” Director Air Force Review Boards Agency