RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00095
            INDEX CODE:  110.02

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO


_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason  for  separation  of  “Personality  Disorder”  be
changed.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The reason  for  his  separation  is  preventing  him  from  obtaining
employment in security and law enforcement.

In support of his  appeal,  the  applicant  provided  a  copy  of  his
separation document.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 25 Sep 96 for a  period
of four years in the grade of airman basic.

Applicant’s available military personnel records indicate he was  seen
by the Mental Health Clinic and diagnosed with an adjustment  disorder
with anxiety.

On 9 Jul 01, an MEB convened and  established  diagnoses  of  avoidant
personality disorder and  social  phobia.   The  MEB  recommended  the
applicant’s case be referred to an Informal Physical Evaluation  Board
(IPEB).

On 13 Aug 01, an IPEB convened and  established  diagnoses  of  social
phobia and avoidant personality disorder.  The  IPEB  recommended  the
applicant be returned to duty and processed under  the  provisions  of
AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, paragraph 5.11.

On 3  Dec  01,  the  applicant  was  honorably  discharged  under  the
provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Personality  Disorder).   He  was  credited
with five years, two months, and eight days of active service.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Medical Consultant recommended denial  noting  the  applicant  was
discharged as a result of being diagnosed with an avoidant personality
disorder.   An  extensive  mental  health  evaluation  supported   the
diagnosis and the MEB which diagnosed  the  applicant  with  a  social
phobia and an avoidant personality disorder concluded the  personality
disorder was the principle  diagnosis  interfering  with  occupational
functioning.

The Medical Consultant indicated that a personality disorder is not  a
disease, but a lifelong pattern of maladjustment  in  an  individual’s
personality  structure  which  is  not  medically   disqualifying   or
unfitting  but  may  render  the  individual  unsuitable  for  further
military service and may be cause  for  administrative  action  by  an
individual’s  unit  commander  due  to   unsuitability.    Personality
disorders frequently serve as the predominant  cause/risk  factor  for
concomitant mental health disorders.  Occurring alone, the applicant’s
diagnosis of social phobia may have been unfitting for continued duty,
warranting a disability discharge.  However, in this  case,  the  IPEB
appropriately concluded the applicant’s social phobia did  not  render
him unfit, but rather the  underlying  personality  disorder  was  the
principle cause for his occupational  difficulties  and  unsuitability
for continued military service.  A social phobia  of  mild  degree  is
typically amenable to therapy unless complicated by the presence of  a
personality disorder as it was  in  this  case.   In  addition  to  an
avoidant personality disorder, a diagnosis  of  post-traumatic  stress
disorder was briefly considered and subsequently dropped in  favor  of
social  phobia  by  the  mental   health   providers   after   careful
consideration  of  the  applicant’s  case  with   current   diagnostic
classification criteria.

According to the Medical Consultant, the  action  and  disposition  in
this case were proper and equitable  reflecting  compliance  with  Air
Force directives that implement the law.  In his view,  no  change  in
the records is warranted.

A complete copy of the Medical Consultant’s evaluation is  at  Exhibit
C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant reviewed the  advisory  opinion  and  furnished  a  response
questioning  the  accuracy  of  the  comments  made  by  the   Medical
Consultant regarding his childhood history which initially prompted  a
tentative  diagnosis  of  post-traumatic  stress  disorder,   chronic,
delayed onset.  He also reiterated the impact his narrative reason for
separation is having on his ability to obtain gainful employment.

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing  law
or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented  to  demonstrate
the  existence  of  error  or  injustice.   We  took  notice  of   the
applicant's complete submission in judging the  merits  of  the  case.
However, we find it insufficient to override the rationale provided by
the  Medical  Consultant.   The  evidence  of  record  indicates   the
applicant was involuntarily discharged as a result of being  diagnosed
with an avoidant personality disorder.  After reviewing the facts  and
circumstances of this case, we find no evidence that would lead us  to
believe the applicant's narrative reason for separation  was  improper
or contrary to the governing directives under which it  was  effected.
In view of the above, and in the absence of evidence to the  contrary,
we adopt the Medical Consultant’s rationale and conclude that no basis
exists upon which to recommend granting  the  relief  sought  in  this
application.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The  applicant  be  notified  that  the  evidence  presented  did  not
demonstrate the existence of material error  or  injustice;  that  the
application was denied without a personal  appearance;  and  that  the
application will only be reconsidered upon  the  submission  of  newly
discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2004-00095 in Executive Session on 22 Jul 04, under the provisions  of
AFI 36-2603:

      Mr. Laurence M. Groner, Panel Chair
      Ms. Cheryl V. Jacobson, Member
      Ms. Jean A. Reynolds, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Jan 04, w/atch.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, Medical Consultant, dated 7 Jun 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Jun 04.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, applicant, undated.




                                   LAURENCE M. GRONER
                                   Panel Chair