Title: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
Author: CAP
Last saved by: Garcia-Anglin, Nuchy CIV CORB, NDRB
Company: NCPB

Docket No. ND14-00529

ex-FN, USN

Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request

Application Received: 20140206
Characterization of Service Received:  (per DD 214) UNCHARACTERIZED (ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION)
Narrative Reason for Discharge:  (per DD 214) ERRONEOUS ENTRY (OTHER)
Authority for Discharge:  (per DD 214) MILPERSMAN 1910-130 [ERRONEOUS ENTRY]

Applicant’s Request:	Characterization change to:	HONORABLE
	Narrative Reason change to:	NAVAL MISDIAGNOSIS

Summary of Service

Prior Service:
Inactive:	USNR (DEP)	20130522 - 20131104  COG	Active:	NONE

Period of Service Under Review:
Date of Current Enlistment:  20131105	Age at Enlistment:  23
Period of Enlistment:  4 Years  12 MONTHS Extension
Date of Discharge:  20131125	Highest Rank/Rate:  FN
Length of Service:  00 Year(s)   00  Month(s)   21 Day(s)
Education Level:  15	AFQT:  55
Evaluation Marks:	Performance:  N/A	Behavior:  N/A	OTA:  N/A

Awards and Decorations (per DD 214):	NONE

Periods of UA/CONF:  NONE

NJP:  NONE	SCM:  NFIR	SPCM:  NONE	CC:  NONE	Retention Warning Counseling:  NONE

Types of Documents Submitted/reviewed

Related to Military Service:
	DD 214:	☒	Service/Medical Record:	☒	Other Records:	☐

Related to Post-Service Period:
	Employment:	☐	Finances:	☐	Education/Training:	☐
	Health/Medical Records:	☒	Rehabilitation/Treatment:	☐	Criminal Records:	☐
	Personal Documentation:	☐	Community Service:	☐	References:	☐
	Department of VA letter:	☐	Other Documentation:	☐
		Additional Statements:
	From Applicant:	☒	From/To Representation:	☐	From/To Congress member:	☐

Pertinent Regulation/Law

A.  The Naval Military Personnel Manual, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 11 effective 20 June 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.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (NDRB)
DISCHARGE REVIEW DECISIONAL DOCUMENT

Applicant’s Issues

1.	The Applicant would like his military and government medical records to be immediately corrected to reflect that he did not have Hepatitis B.
2.	The Applicant would like a Navy Recruiting Command waiver and a change to his Reentry Code.
3.	The Applicant would like to be entered into the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) medical system.
4.	The Applicant would like assistance in finding government employment.
5.	The Applicant would like his Uncharacterized - Erroneous Entry discharge to be changed to Honorable.

Decision

Date:  20140312	DOCUMENTARY REVIEW	Location:  Washington D.C.	Representation:  NONE

By a vote of 5-0 the Characterization shall remain UNCHARACTERIZED (ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION).
By a vote of 5-0 the Narrative Reason shall change to SECRETARIAL AUTHORITY.

Discussion

The NDRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an Applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the character of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted.  In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant.  The Board did complete a thorough review of the circumstances that led to his discharge and the discharge process to ensure his discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.  The Applicant’s record of service included a positive blood test for Hepatitis B while at entry level training in the Navy.  Based on the Applicant’s medical diagnosis, his command administratively processed him for separation.  When notified of administrative separation processing using the notification procedure, the Applicant waived his rights to consult with a qualified counsel and submit a written statement.  The Applicant was not entitled to an administrative board.

Issue 1:  (Nondecisional)  The Applicant would like his military and government medical records to be immediately corrected to reflect that he did not have Hepatitis B.  The NDRB has no authority to direct changes to an Applicant’s military or government medical records.  The Applicant can request these changes from the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 701 South Courthouse Road, Suite 1001, Arlington, VA 22204-2490 using DD Form 149.  Their website can be found at http://www.donhq.navy.mil/bcnr/bcnr.htm.

Issue 2:  (Nondecisional)  The Applicant would like a Navy Recruiting Command waiver and a change to his Reentry Code.  The NDRB does not have the authority to issue a Navy Recruiting Command waiver nor does it have the authority to change a Reentry Code.  An unfavorable Reentry 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.  As for changing the Reentry Code, only the BCNR can make changes to reenlistment codes.

Issue 3:  (Nondecisional)  The Applicant would like to be entered into the VA’s medical system.  The VA determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the NDRB.  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.  The Applicant is encouraged to contact the VA to be entered into their medical system.

Issue 4:  (Nondecisional)  The Applicant would like assistance in finding government employment.  The NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment opportunities.  Regulations limit the NDRB’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the discharge.

Issue 5:  (Decisional) (Propriety/Equity)  PARTIAL RELIEF WARRANTED.  The Applicant would like his Uncharacterized - Erroneous Entry discharge to be changed to Honorable - Naval Misdiagnosis.  The Applicant contends Navy blood tests that showed he had Hepatitis B were in error.  The Applicant submitted evidence of two negative post-service lab tests for Hepatitis B completed shortly after his separation from the Navy and childhood vaccination records that reveal he received the Hepatitis vaccination.  The Applicant also submitted a letter from a civilian gastroenterologist, who states, “there is a virtually zero percent possibility that this patient had or has a Hepatitis B infection.”  After reviewing the Applicant’s Navy medical records, the lab results for HBs AG tested on 7 November 2013 at 1400 indicate “Non-reactive,” however, the medical assessment provided to the Applicant on 13 November 2013 concludes the Applicant’s lab results for HBs AG were reactive, and he was diagnosed as being positive for Hepatitis B.  After a careful examination of all the evidence provided in the Applicant’s record and submitted by the Applicant, the NDRB determined his discharge was improper.

However, because the Applicant was separated within the first 180 days of continuous active duty, an Uncharacterized discharge is warranted.  The exceptions to this are if he had misconduct that would have warranted an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions (UOTHC) discharge or an Honorable was clearly warranted.  The Applicant had no misconduct that would rate an UOTHC discharge, and there was no evidence of unusual circumstances involving personal conduct and performance that would merit an Honorable characterization.  Therefore, the Uncharacterized characterization of service is proper.  

As to the Narrative Reason for Separation, Erroneous Entry is not appropriate since the Applicant was discharged based upon a positive blood test for Hepatitis B that was determined to have existed before the Applicant entered the Navy.  Since there is no other Narrative Reason for Separation that accurately describes the reason the Applicant was separated, the NDRB determined the reason for the Applicant’s discharge shall change to Secretarial Authority.  Partial relief granted.

Summary:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s summary of service, service record entries, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was improper.  Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall remain UNCHARACTERIZED (ENTRY LEVEL SEPARATION) but the narrative reason for separation shall change to SECRETARIAL AUTHORITY.  The Applicant remains eligible for a personal appearance hearing for a period of fifteen years from the date of his discharge.  The Applicant is directed to the Addendum for additional information.

ADDENDUM:  Information for the Applicant

Complaint Procedures:  If you believe 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:  After a document review has been conducted, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provided the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years of the Applicant’s 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.  There are veterans organizations such as the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans that are willing to provide guidance to former service members in their efforts to obtain a discharge upgrade.  If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years, has already been granted a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted their opportunities before the NDRB, the Applicant may petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 701 South Courthouse Road, Suite 1001, Arlington, VA 22204-2490 for further review.

Service Benefits:  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the NDRB.  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 NDRB has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities.  Regulations limit the NDRB’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 BCNR can make changes to reenlistment codes.  Additionally, the NDRB 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 is processed subsequently for an administrative involuntary separation or is referred to a court martial for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings.  If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct or for any basis wherein an Other Than Honorable discharge is authorized, 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 other medical related reasons.  Only the BCNR can grant this type of narrative reason change.

Automatic Upgrades - There is no law or regulation that provides for an unfavorable discharge to be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct subsequent to leaving naval service.

Post-Service Conduct:  The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge.  Outstanding post-service conduct, 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, is considered during Board reviews.  Documentation to support a post-service conduct upgrade includes, but is not limited to: a verifiable continuous employment record; marriage and children’s birth certificates (if applicable); character witness statements; documentation of community or church service; certification of non-involvement with civil authorities; evidence of financial stability or letters of good standing from banks, credit card companies, or other financial institutions; attendance at or completion of higher education (official transcripts); and documentation of a drug-free lifestyle.   The Applicant is advised that completion of these items alone does not guarantee the upgrade of an unfavorable discharge, as each discharge is reviewed by the Board on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate  in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character.

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 special 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.  The NDRB does not have the jurisdictional authority to review a discharge or dismissal resulting from a general court-martial.

Board Membership:  The names and votes of the members of the NDRB 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

Key:	NFIR - Not found in record 	RESTR - Restriction	NJP - Nonjudicial punishment	SCM - Summary court-martial
	SPCM - Special court-martial	FOP - Forfeiture of pay	RIR - Reduction in rank	EPD - Extra duties
	CONF - Confinement	CC - Civilian conviction	CCU - Correctional Custody Unit	CBW - Confinement on bread and water

Key:	NFIR - Not Found In Record 	UA – Unauthorized absence	NJP – Nonjudicial punishment	SCM – Summary court-martial	
	SPCM – Special court-martial	FOP – Forfeiture of pay	RIR – Reduction in rank	EPD – Extra Duties 
	CONF – Confinement		B&W – Confinement on bread and water