RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-02423

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES


________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation be changed to reflect Post 
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression rather than 
Personality Disorder.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He has been diagnosed with PTSD and depression by the Department 
of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  The narrative reason of personality 
disorder has prevented him from obtaining employment.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides an expanded 
statement, a copy of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty, a Chronological Record of Medical 
Care, a letter from his psychologist and a letter from the 
Disabled American Veterans National Service Office.

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

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 23 Sep 98, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the 
Regular Air Force.

On 6 Nov 06, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was 
recommending his discharge from the Air Force for a condition 
that interfered with military service – mental disorders.  The 
specific reason for the discharge was the applicant’s diagnosis 
of an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety/depressed mood and 
a personality disorder.  The social worker and psychologist 
diagnosed the applicant’s condition as being so severe that his 
ability to function effectively in a military environment was 
significantly impaired.

On 6 Nov 06, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the action.

On 15 Mar 07, after consulting with legal counsel, the applicant 
waived his right to an administrative discharge board.

On 22 Mar 07, the legal office reviewed the case and found it 
legally sufficient to support separation and recommended the 
applicant be furnished a honorable discharge without probation 
and rehabilitation.

On 30 Mar 07, the command legal office reviewed the case and 
recommended the applicant’s unconditional waiver be accepted and 
he be furnished an honorable discharge without probation and 
rehabilitation.

The discharge authority directed the applicant be furnished an 
honorable discharge without probation and rehabilitation.  On 
2 Apr 07, the applicant was so discharged with a narrative 
reason for separation of “Personality Disorder ½ separation 
pay.”  He was credited with eight years, six months, and ten 
days of total active service.

________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial noting the documentation in the 
applicant’s master personnel records indicates the discharge, to 
include the narrative reason for separation, was consistent with 
the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge 
instruction and was within the discretion of the discharge 
authority.  The mental evaluation confirmed the existence of a 
mental disorder of such a severity that the applicant’s ability 
to function in a military environment was significantly 
impacted.  The applicant’s commander indicated the applicant’s 
personality disorder had an adverse effect on his duty 
performance and he lost all confidence in the applicant’s 
ability to perform his duties.  Although it may appear the 
applicant may be coping well in his civilian capacity, it does 
not change the basis for which he was discharged.  The military 
environment is unique and the stressors encountered in this 
environment may not appear or surface when removed from the 
military environment. 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial of the 
applicant’s request to change his narrative reason for 
separation to reflect PTSD and Depression rather than 
Personality Disorder.  During his service, the applicant 
underwent a mental health evaluation and was diagnosed with an 
adjustment disorder and the presence of a personality disorder.  
Although it was determined the applicant did not have a 
psychiatric disorder that warranted processing through the 
military Disability Evaluation System (DES), it was noted the 
personality disorder was so severe that it would impact his 
ability to function in a military environment; and that his 
adjustment disorder placed him at risk for harming himself and 
others.  However, the applicant’s DVA Clinical Psychologist 
states the applicant has been diagnosed with PTSD, does not have 
a diagnosis of personality disorder, and does not meet the 
criteria for a personality disorder.  While there are two 
differing medical opinions regarding the applicant’s mental 
health status, Medicine is both an Art and a Science, and 
unfortunately the Medical Consultant cannot see the applicant 
through the eyes of the clinicians making an evaluation in 2006. 
However, notwithstanding the evaluations made by the DVA some 
seven years later, the applicant has not provided sufficient 
evidence to override the opinions made in 2006.  At the same 
time, while the applicant's current narrative reason for 
separation of personality disorder may be administratively 
correct, it is not technically accurate given the fact the 
applicant was also diagnosed with an adjustment disorder.  As 
such, it would be an injustice for the applicant to continue to 
suffer the stigma of an inaccurate narrative reason for 
separation, when the applicant’s disqualifying condition is more 
accurately described as an adjustment disorder.  Therefore, 
while the evidence presented is not sufficient to conclude the 
applicant’s narrative reason for separation should indicate he 
was discharged for PTSD and Depression, for the reasons noted 
above, his narrative reason for separation should be changed to 
reflect Secretarial Authority.

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

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 14 Aug 13 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit E).  On 15 Aug 13, the applicant indicated he would be 
submitting a rebuttal (Exhibit F).  However, as of this date, no 
response has been received by this office.

________________________________________________________________

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 injustice with respect 
to the applicant’s request that his narrative reason for 
separation be changed to reflect Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 
(PTSD) and Depression, rather than Personality Disorder.  After 
a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s 
complete submission, we are not convinced the evidence supports 
the applicant had a medical condition that warranted processing 
through the disability evaluation system (DES).  Furthermore, 
there is no evidence in the applicant’s military records and the 
documentation provided that indicates he was treated or 
diagnosed with PTSD.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion and 
recommendation of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant and adopt his 
rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not 
been the victim of an error or injustice with respect to the 
basis of his discharge.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence 
to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the 
relief sought in this application.  

4.  Notwithstanding the above we believe it would be in the 
interest of justice to change the applicant’s narrative reason 
for separation to “Secretarial Authority.”  In this respect, we 
agree with the comments of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant 
indicating that while the applicant’s narrative reason for 
separation of “Personality Disorder” may be administratively 
correct, it is not technically accurate.  Additionally, we note 
“Personality Disorder” was used for all unsuiting mental health 
disorders at the time of the applicant’s discharge, even in 
cases such as his when the diagnosis was adjustment disorder, 
not personality disorder.  “Personality Disorder” did not 
properly distinguish the other mental disorders for which a 
service member could be separated and “Adjustment Disorder” was 
eventually approved as a valid reason for separation.  Although 
action and disposition of the applicant’s case appears to be in 
compliance with the Air Force directives in effect at the time 
of his discharge, we believe it would be an injustice for the 
applicant to continue to suffer the stigma of such a 
characterization.  Therefore, we recommend that 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 the APPLICANT be corrected to show that at the 
time of his discharge on 2 April 2007, the narrative reason for 
his discharge was “Secretarial Authority,” with a Separation 
Program Designator (SPD) code of “KFF.”

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-02423 in Executive Session on 6 Mar 14, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 , Chair
	 , Member
	 , Member


All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-02423 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Feb 13, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 3 Jul 13.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 
	            13 Aug 13
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 14 Aug 13, w/atchs.
	Exhibit F.  Email Correspondence, Applicant, dated
	            15 Aug 13.




                                    
                                   Chair
                                    







AFBCMR BC-2013-02423




MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for 
Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States 
Code it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating APPLICANT be 
corrected to show that at the time of his discharge on 2 April 2007, the narrative reason for his 
discharge was “Secretarial Authority,” with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of 
“KFF.”




                                                                             
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency