IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 12 November 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140005250
THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:
1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).
2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant requests an exception to policy to transfer educational benefits to his family members under the transfer of educational benefits (TEB) provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
2. The applicant states he was not made aware at the time of his discharge that he had to transfer his benefit to his children. His daughter is graduating high school this year and she is preparing to attend college. He believed the benefit was transferable upon the request of the veteran; however, he has been informed it is not.
3. The applicant provides no additional evidence.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.
2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 25 October 2000. On 29 June 2006, he was honorably discharged due to disability with severance pay. He completed 5 years, 8 months, and 5 days of net active service.
3. There is no indication that he held any type of active military status subsequent to his June 2006 discharge.
4. On 22 June 2009, the Department of Defense (DOD) established the criteria for eligibility and transfer of unused educational benefits to eligible family members. The policy states an eligible individual is any member of the Armed Forces on or after 1 August 2009 who, at the time of the approval of the individual's request to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section, is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and:
a. has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election; or
b. has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of election, is precluded by either standard policy (Service or DOD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute; or
c. is or becomes retirement eligible during the period 1 August 2009 through 1 August 2013. A service member is considered to be retirement eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active duty or 20 qualifying years of Reserve service.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The available evidence does not support the applicant's request for correction of his records to show he submitted a timely application to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits to his dependents.
2. Based on DOD policy, an individual is eligible to transfer educational benefits to eligible family members after 1 August 2009 who at the time of the approval of the individual's request to transfer entitlement to educational assistance has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election.
3. There is no indication that he held any type of active military status subsequent to his June 2006 discharge. In light of the fact the applicant was discharged over three years prior to the existence of the TEB program, he is not eligible for this program nor is he entitled to the requested relief.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
____X____ ____X____ ____X____ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
____________X__________
CHAIRPERSON
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140005250
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140005250
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