RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02108 XXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder” be changed to “Medical” so he can receive Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) medical care for disorders caused by his military service. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His narrative reason for separation “Adjustment Disorder” is too broad of a reason, unjust and an error based on the medical diagnosis. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, administrative discharge package and memorandums. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 15 May 07, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. He was credited with 29 days of total active service. On 11 Jan 11, the Board considered and denied the applicant’s request to upgrade his uncharacterized service to honorable. However, the Board voted to correct his records to show that he was discharged on 13 Jun 07, with a narrative reason for separation of “Adjustment Disorder” rather than “Personality Disorder,” and a separation code of “JFY” rather than “JFX.” The applicant provides no rationale as to why his untimely application should be considered. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AETC/SGPS recommends denial. Based on the documentation on file in the master personnel records, the separation was done in accordance with established policy and administrative procedures. During the applicant’s second week of training he was seen at Wilford Hall Medical Center (WHMC), Mental Health department for an evaluation. He stated he was depressed, unable to concentrate and having trouble sleeping and wanted to separate to finish college. He was diagnosed with an “Adjustment Disorder” with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. According to a 23 May 07, document it was noted that he previously attempted suicide in Dec 06 and continued to have serious thoughts of suicide, while in Basic Military Training School (BMTS). Since there is no medical exam or history to review, it is unknown if this history was disclosed to the Chief Medical Officer at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Following his mental health evaluation with his pre-service mental history it was felt that his condition existed prior to service. The applicant acknowledged he understood the diagnosis and treatment plan and subsequently he was processed for an entry-level separation. The complete SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial. Based on documentation on file in the master personnel records, the discharge to include the Separation Program Designator (SPD) code, the narrative reason for separation and character of service was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the discretion of the discharge authority. The applicant was seen by the Behavioral Analysis Service were he reported feelings of anger and impulsive behavior while in BMTS to include punching a locker and cutting on his left arm with scissors in an attempt to help relieve his emotional turmoil. He reported death ideation but denied suicidal/homicidal ideation. It was concluded the applicant’s emotional instability, impulsive behavior, and lack of motivation suggested a poor prognosis for his adaptation to the military environment. The applicant’s mental health evaluation suggested his diagnosis did not meet retention standards for continued military service and was so severe that his ability to function effectively in a military environment was significantly impaired. The applicant reviewed the report and acknowledged via signature that he agreed with the findings and gave his concurrence to share these findings with his commander. As a result, he was processed for immediate discharge. Airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days of continuous active service. The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service. Therefore, his uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions The complete DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 12 Jan 15, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The BCMR Clinical Psychology Consultant recommends denial. AFI 48-123, states that “an adjustment disorder may render an Airmen unsuitable for continued military service and subject to administrative discharge under AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen. The applicant was discharged for an adjustment disorder, the symptoms of which were clearly disruptive to his duty performance. The applicant’s contention that an adjustment disorder is too broad and possibly resulted from his claim of other documented disorders is not supported by the facts and evidence submitted. The consultant concedes the probability that the applicant will experience similar mental health symptoms if he reenters basic military training is difficult to deduce. However, it is known that basic military training remains a very stressful ordeal for most individuals. The demanding, often austere, environments faced by members of all military service components also place the applicant in a position of elevated risk for relapse. It is unclear what new coping strategies the applicant has developed in the time that has passed since his discharge that will allow him to be resilient in the face of such stressors. The consultant notes the applicant requests that he be allowed to obtain medical treatment at the DVA for disorders he believes were directly caused by his enlistment. However, it is unclear what mental disorders aside from the acute adjustment disorder are believed to be service-incurred, as no documentation was provided to support this request. In accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 1332.38, Physical Disability Evaluation in order to be entered into the Disability Evaluation System (DES) and receive a medical separation the applicant must have met criteria for a physical disability as listed in DoDI 1332.38. The term “physical disability” includes mental disease, but not such inherent defects as behavioral disorders, adjustment disorders, personality disorders and primary mental deficiencies.” The applicant’s mental health diagnosis did not meet DES processing criteria as it rendered him unsuitable for continued military service rather than unfit. The discharge recommendation from the Behavioral Analysis Service reflects no conditions were present which required DES processing. The complete Clinical Psychology Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit F. APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 18 Jun 15, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS OF THE BOARD: After careful consideration of applicant’s request and the available evidence of record, we find the application untimely. The applicant did not file within three years after the alleged error or injustice was discovered as required by Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552 and Air Force Instruction 36-2603. The applicant has not shown a plausible reason for the delay in filing, and we are not persuaded that the record raises issues of error or injustice which require resolution on the merits. Thus, we cannot conclude it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to file in a timely manner. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The application was not timely filed and it would not be in the interest of justice to waive the untimeliness. It is the decision of the Board, therefore, to reject the application as untimely. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02108 in Executive Session on 22 Jul 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02108 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 May 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 3 Jun 14. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 9 Jun 14. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Jan 15. Exhibit F. Letter, BCMR Clinical Psychology Consultant, dated 12 Jun 15. Exhibit G. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Jun 15.