RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-02958
		COUNSEL: NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:	 NO
	
_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His character of service be changed from uncharacterized to 
honorable.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

1. He was not treated for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) 
while in the Air Force.  

2. He was available to sign his DD Form 214, Certificate of 
Release or Discharge from Active Duty; however, he was never 
contacted.  

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 25 May 04, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force. 

On 19 Oct 04, the applicant was diagnosed by a clinical 
psychologist with an Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and 
Personality Disorder, not otherwise specified, with borderline 
features, as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 
of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), which was so severe that his 
ability to function effectively in the military environment was 
significantly impaired.  

On 20 Oct 04, the applicant was notified of his commander’s 
intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force 
under the provisions of AFPD 36-32, Air Force Military Training 
and AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, paragraph 
5.11.9, Conditions that Interfere with Military Service.  The 
commander recommended he receive an entry-level separation.  The 
applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of discharge.  
At that time, the applicant waived his right to seek legal 
counsel and to submit a statement in his own behalf.  

0n 22 Oct 04, the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate reviewed the case 
file and determined it was legally sufficient to support 
discharge.  On 28 Oct 04, the discharge authority directed the 
applicant be discharged from the Air Force with an entry-level 
separation.  He served five months and seven days of total 
active duty.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial.  The Medical 
Consultant states following the applicant’s discharge from 
inpatient hospitalization, the Intensive Outpatient Program 
reported that he put forth minimal effort and made little to no 
progress.  In fact, he was quoted as saying he did not wish to 
remain in the military because of difficulty adapting to the 
lifestyle and lack of motivation for treatment.  

The applicant reports he suffered PTSD resulting from the tragic 
loss of a family member which occurred while he was away at 
technical training school.  However, throughout the treatment 
period both inpatient and ambulatory, the diagnosis of PTSD was 
never mentioned.  Therefore, the diagnosis of PTSD would have 
been improper in this case and that his signs, symptoms and 
demonstrated behavior were consistent with an Adjustment 
Disorder.  It should be noted that an Adjustment Disorder is not 
considered a compensable disability under AFI 36-3212, Physical 
Evaluation for Retention, Retirement and Separation and 
Department of Defense (DoD) 1332.38, Physical Disability 
Evaluation.  

Additionally, the Medical Consultant recommends the applicant’s 
narrative reason for discharge be changed to reflect the correct 
narrative reason “Adjustment Disorder.”  

The complete BCMR Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 14 Jan 13, for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, this office had not received a 
response.

_________________________________________________________________

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 an injustice to warrant 
changing the characterization of his discharge.  We are not 
persuaded by the evidence presented that the entry-level 
separation characterization received by the applicant should be 
changed to an honorable discharge.  We note the uncharacterized 
separation is not an unfavorable reflection upon his military 
service nor should it be confused with other types of 
separations. Rather, an entry-level separation with 
uncharacterized service is used in those cases where the member 
has not yet completed six months of service at the time 
separation proceedings were, for whatever reason, initiated.  
Hence, the uncharacterized separation merely connotes the 
brevity of the applicant’s military service and may not, in and 
of itself, be viewed as a defamation of his character.

4. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has 
been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice to 
warrant changing the narrative reason for his separation to 
“Adjustment Disorder.”  We note the applicant’s records indicate 
he was administratively separated under the provisions of AFI 
36-3208, with the reason for his discharge being “Personality 
Disorder.”  However, after reviewing the evidence of record, it 
appears the applicant’s narrative reason for separation 
inaccurately reflects the circumstances surrounding his 
discharge.  Since the applicant was actually diagnosed with an 
Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and Personality 
Disorder, the BCMR Medical Consultant recommends his narrative 
reason for separation be changed to “Adjustment Disorder,” along 
with the corresponding separation code of “JFX.”  Accordingly, 
we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the BCMR Medical 
Consultant to change the applicant’s records to reflect the more 
appropriate narrative reason for separation, which more 
accurately identifies the circumstances surrounding his 
separation.  Therefore, we recommend 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 APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was 
discharged on 1 Nov 04, with a narrative reason for separation 
of “Adjustment Disorder,” rather than “Personality Disorder” and 
a separation code of “JFY,” rather than “JFX.”

________________________________________________________________




The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-02958 in Executive Session on 19 Mar 13, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 		Panel Chair
      Member
			Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-02958 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 Jun 12, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 
				 10 Jan 13.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 14 Jan 13. 




								
								Panel Chair





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