ex-SA, USN
ND07-00894

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received:  20070622  Characterization Received:  (entry level separation
Narrative Reason:  FAILED MEDICAL/PHYSICAL PROCUREMENT STANDARDS 	Authority:  MILPERSMAN 1910-130

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:  
			Narrative Reason change to: 
Applicant’s Issues:	1. Was misdiagnosed with knee condition

Decision

By a vote of  the Characterization shall  UNCHARACTERIZED(ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION
By a vote of  the Narrative Reason shall . FAILED MEDICAL/PHYSICAL PROCUREMENT STANDARDS.

Date:  20071220		Location:  Washington D.C	 Representation:  

Discussion

Issue 1 ().  That Applicant claims that his knee problem was misdiagnosed, and provides the results of a post service medical examination in support.  However, the Applicant’s knee problem, and its effect on his ability to perform naval duties, is well documented in his medical record.  Competent medical authority determined that he did not meet the Navy’s medical/physical procurement standards.  The documentation provided by the Applicant did not refute the presumption of regularity in this case as the Applicant’s post service medical evaluation does not invalidate an earlier diagnosis received while on active duty.  Normally, to permit relief, an error or inequity must have existed during the period of enlistment in question.    No such error or inequity is evident during the Applicant’s enlistment.  The Applicant’s narrative reason for separation is an accurate statement of fact as to the reason for the Applicant’s discharge and is considered neither punitive nor adverse.    

By regulation, an uncharacterized description shall be used when separation is initiated while a member is in an entry level status, except when separation is for certain prescribed situations (none of which apply to the Applicant) in which circumstances warrant characterization as under other than honorable conditions, or when characterization of service as honorable is clearly warranted by the presence of unusual circumstances involving personal conduct and performance of military duty and is approved on a case-by-case basis by the Secretary of the Navy.  The Applicant's service record did not indicate any unusual circumstances of personal conduct or performance of duty during his less than 2 months in the military that would clearly warrant an honorable characterization of service.  The NDRB advises the Applicant that, with respect to nonservice related administrative matters, i.e. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, civilian employment, etc., an uncharacterized separation shall be considered the equivalent of an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) characterization.

In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of Government affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Medical and Service Record Entries, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found that 

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive: USNR (DEP)	20040628 - 20050622  		Active:   	
Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Enlistment: 20050623 	Years Contracted:  ; Extension:  	Date of Discharge:  20050726
Length of Service:  00  Yrs  01  Mths  03  Dys		Lost Time:  Days UA:    Days Confined:  
Education Level:  		Age at Enlistment:  		AFQT:  35	Highest Rank/Rate:  SA
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):	NOT APPLICABLE		Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):  NONE

Medical/Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Basis for Discharge

20050705:	Medical Record:  Reason for visit:  ELMS for EPTE condition.
	Diagnosis:  Knee pain, chronic.  Not correctable to meet Navy standards.
	Recommendation:  Counseled on BUMED waiver.  Does not request a waiver.  Will not support local waiver.

Discharge Process

Date Notified:					20050718
Reason for Discharge:	 - 
Least Favorable Characterization:	

Date Applicant Responded to Notification:		20050718
Rights Elected at Notification:
	Consult with Counsel			
	Obtain Copies of Documents		
	Submit Statement(s) (date)			 
	Administrative Board			
	GCMCA review				

Commanding Officer Recommendation (date):	 
Separation Authority (date):	CO, RECRUIT TRAINING COMMAND (20050720)
              Reason for discharge directed:	 - 
              Characterization directed:	(ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION)
Date Applicant Discharged:	20050726

Types of Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

Related to Military Service:	Service and/or Medical Record:  		Other Records:  

Related to Post-Service Period:  	
	Employment:  			Finances:  			Education: 		
	Health/Medical Records:  		Substance Abuse:			Criminal Records:  	
	Family/Personal Status: 		Community Service:  		References:  		
	
Additional Statements From Applicant:  	From Representative:    		Other Documentation (Describe) 

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), re-issued October 2002, effective 20 Jun 2005 until Present, Article 1910-130, Separation by Reason of Defective Enlistments and Inductions - Erroneous Enlistment.

B.  Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part II, Para 211, Regularity of Government Affairs, Part V, Para 502, Propriety and Para 503, Equity.

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  If you believe that the decision in your case is unclear, not responsive to the issues you raised, or does not otherwise comport with the decisional document requirements of DoD Instruction 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Instruction to the Joint Service Review Activity, OUSD (P&R) PI-LP, The Pentagon, Washington, DC  20301-4000.  You should read Enclosure (5) of the Instruction before submitting such a complaint.  The complaint procedure does not permit a challenge of the merits of the decision; it is designed solely to ensure that the decisional documents meet applicable requirements for clarity and responsiveness.  You may view DoD Instruction 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at “http://Boards.law.af.mil.”

Additional Reviews:  Subsequent to a document review, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years from the date of discharge.  The Applicant can provide documentation to support any claims of post-service accomplishments or any additional evidence related to this discharge.  Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required.  If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted his opportunities before the NDRB, the Applicant may petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 2 Navy Annex, Washington, DC 20370-5100 for further review.

Service Benefits:  The Veterans Administration determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the Naval Discharge Review Board.  There is no requirement or law that grants recharacterization solely on the issue of obtaining Veterans' benefits and this issue does not serve to provide a foundation upon which the Board can grant relief.

Employment/Educational Opportunities:  The Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the discharge.  

Reenlistment/RE-code:  Since the NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy, Marine Corps, or any other of the Armed Forces, the NDRB is not authorized to change a reenlistment code.  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) can make changes to reenlistment codes.  Additionally, the Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing reenlistment opportunities.  An unfavorable “RE” code is, in itself, not a bar to reenlistment.  A request for a waiver can be submitted during the processing of a formal application for reenlistment through a recruiter.

Medical Conditions and Misconduct:  DoD disability regulations do not preclude a disciplinary separation.  Appropriate regulations stipulate that separations for misconduct take precedence over potential separations for other reasons.  Whenever a member is being processed through the Physical Evaluation Board, and subsequently is processed for an administrative involuntary separation for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended.  The Physical Evaluation Board case remains in suspense pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings.  If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct, the medical board report is filed in the member’s terminated health record.  Additionally, the NDRB does not have the authority to change a narrative reason for separation to one indicating a medical disability or “PTSD.”  Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records can grant this type of narrative reason change.  

Automatic Upgrades - There is no law or regulation, which provides that an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in civilian life subsequent to leaving Naval service.  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the Applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review.  Examples of documentation that may be provided to the Board include proof of educational pursuits, verifiable employment records, documentation of community service, credible evidence of a substance free lifestyle and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.  

Issues Concerning Bad-Conduct Discharges (BCD) – Because relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts, issues relating to the Applicant’s innocence of charges for which he was found guilty cannot form a basis for relief.  With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial, the action of the NDRB is restricted to upgrades based on clemency.  Clemency is an act of leniency that reduces the severity of the punishment imposed.  

Board Membership:  The names and votes of the members of the Board are recorded on the original of this document and may be obtained from the service records by writing to:

Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards
Attn:  Naval Discharge Review Board
720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
Washington Navy Yard DC  20374-5023