Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 080627	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: I was discharged out of the military for Personality Disorder (5-13). However, my symptoms of PTSD started to occur after several deployments in Iraq. While in the military I did not receive the proper help to help me cope with my issues.  After discharge, I seeked help from the Veterans Affairs, and was diagnosed with PTSD.  I am trying to have my discharge changed to a medical discharge for PTSD and receive severance pay for a medical discharge.  Veterans Affairs cannot understand why I was discharged for a personality disorder when its clear in the supporting documents from the military and Veterans Affairs that I should have been medical discharged for PTSD.

II.  Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed?	     
Tender Offer:   NA

See Attachments:  Legal     Medical     Minority Opinion     Exhibits 

III.  Discharge Under Review
Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: 	   Date: 070510
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 070522   Chapter:  5       AR: 635-200
Reason: Personality Disorder	   RE:     SPD: JFX   Unit/Location: CAB Rear Det, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Age at current enlistment:  29
Current ENL Date: 050921    Current ENL Term: 4 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	01 Yrs, 08Mos, 02Days ?????
Total Service:  		10 Yrs, 11Mos, 05Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	USAR-960618-961104/NA
                                       RA-961105-9800224/HD
                                       ARNG-980225-000808/NA
                                       RA-000809-021027/HD
                                       RA-021028-050920/HD
Highest Grade: E-5		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 88M20 Motor Transport Operator   GT: 94   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: Southwest Asia   Combat: Iraq (030303-030729), (041216-051116) and Kuwait (040108-040410) 
Decorations/Awards: AAM-2, AGCM-2, NDSM, ICM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, ASR 

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  Laurel, MD
Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed




VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       The evidence of record shows that on 5 April 2007, the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with an alcohol dependance, and a personality disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS) with cluster B traits.  On  8 May 2007, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-13, by reason of personality disorder, for being diagnosed as administratively unfit for duty due to a personality disorder.  The unit commander recommended an honorable discharge.  She was advised of her rights.  The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, voluntarily waived consideration of her case by an administrative separation board, contingent upon her receiving a characterization of service of no less favorable than honorable, and did not submit a statement in her own behalf.  The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service.  The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with an honorable discharge.  On 10 May 2007, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of fully honorable.

       b.  Legal Basis for Separation:  
       Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Paragraph 5-13 provides that a Soldier may be separated for personality disorder, not amounting to disability under Army Regulation 635-40, that interferes with assignment to or performance of duty.  The regulation requires that the condition is a deeply ingrained maladaptive pattern of behavior of long duration that interferes with the Soldier's ability to perform duty.  The regulation also directs that commanders will not take action prescribed in this chapter in lieu of disciplinary action; requires that the diagnosis concludes the disorder is so severe that the Soldier’s ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired; and states that separation for personality disorder is not appropriate when separation is warranted under chapter 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, or 15; Army Regulation 604-10 or Army Regulation 635-40.  Army policy requires the award of a fully honorable discharge in such case.

       c.  Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale:  
       After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and documents she submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit a change to the applicant's narrative reason for discharge.  The analyst noted that the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with an alcohol dependance, and a personality disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS) with cluster B traits.  The unit commander appropriately initiated discharge proceedings under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200, by reason of personality disorder, with a characterization of service of honorable.  The analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue, however, the narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives.  The applicant was discharged under the provisions of paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200.  The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Personality Disorder" and the separation code is "JFX."  Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be entered exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes.  The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized.  There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation.  In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief.
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing

Type of Hearing: 		Date: 20 October 2008         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: No

Witnesses/Observers: No 

Exhibits Submitted: No

VIII.  Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation
After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review, hearing her testimony and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. 
        
IX.  Board Decision						
	XI.  Certification Signature
Board Vote:  							          Approval Authority:	
Character - Change 0    No change 0
Reason -     Change 0    No change 5
(Board member names available upon request)
								         EDGAR J. YANGER			 
								         Colonel, U.S. Army
								         President, Army Discharge Review Board
Issue a new DD Form 214  					
Change Characterization to: 			         
Change Reason to: No Change
Other: NA										
RE Code: 									 
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes   Grade: None
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20080010385
______________________________________________________________________________


Page 1 of 3 pages