DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS

2 NAVY ANNEX

WASHINGTON DC 20370-5100

JRE
Docket No: 4738-01
22 October 2002

This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the
provisions of title 10 of the United States Code, section 1552.

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive
session, considered your application on 3 October 2002. Your allegations of error and
injustice were reviewed in accordance with administrative regulations and procedures
applicable to the proceedings of this Board.
consisted of your application, together with all material submitted in support thereof, your
naval record and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. In addition, the Board
considered the advisory opinion furnished by designees of the Specialty Leader for Psychiatry
dated 14 June 2002, and the Director, Naval Council of Personnel Boards dated 26 August
2002. A copy of each opinion is attached.

Documentary material considered by the Board

After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board found that the
evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or
injustice. In this connection, the Board substantially concurred with the comments contained
in the advisory opinion provided by the Director, Naval Council of Personnel Boards.
Accordingly, your application has been denied.
panel will be furnished upon request.

The names and votes of the members of the

It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that favorable action cannot be
taken. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon submission of new and
material evidence or other matter not previously considered by the Board. In this regard, it is
important to keep in mind that a presumption of regularity attaches to all official records.

Consequently, when applying for a correction of an official naval record, the burden is on the
applicant to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

Sincerely,

W. DEAN PFEIFFER
Executive Director

Enclosure

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
NAVAL COUNCIL OF PERSONNEL BOARDS

WASHINGTON  NAVY YARD
KENNON  STREET SE RM 309

720 
WASHINGTON. DC 20374-5023

IN 

REPLY 

REFER 

TO

522 0
Ser: 02-1
26 Aug 02

2

REQUEST
FORME
OF 

.,

. . 

.

(a) Your  
(b) SECNAVINST 

1850.4E

ltr  JRE:jdh Docket No:  

04738-01  of 

28 

JUI!  

02

Subj:

Ref:

1 . This letter responds to reference (a) which requested
comments and a recommendation regarding Petitioner's request for
correction of his naval records.
misdiagnosed at the time of his discharge and that he should
have been medically retired and rated for mental illness.

The Petitioner contends he was

2. The Petitioner's case history, contained in reference (a),
was thoroughly reviewed in accordance
returned.

The following comments are provided:

with reference (b) and is

a.

The Petitioner appears to have suffered clinically from

a Schizoid Personality Disorder
since childhood,
Paranoid Schizophrenia approximately eight years after his
administrative separation from the Navy via a Board of Medical
Survey.

which eventually was diagnosed as Chronic

(SPD) with some paranoid trends

b.

On 22 November 1999,

the VA found the Petitioner's
condition to be service connected and granted him a disability
rating of 100%
Petitioner suffers more psychotic appearing manifestations.
While on active duty,
manifestations,

the stressors resulted in more severe

a not unexpected phenomenon.

effective 7 February 1977.

When under stress the

C .

At what point his clinical picture made a sustained

crossing from a SPD to a Schizophrenic-Bipolar Spectrum disorder
remains a matter of speculation.
conclusion that his current condition is the result of a natural
progression,
which started prior to his active duty service. He
would not have been entitled to any disability payments from the
condition  was categorized at the
Navy regardless of how his  

Less uncertain is the

Subj:

REQUEST
OF FORMER

FOR COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE CASE

time of his discharge.
and was not service aggravated.
had been referred to the PEB
 
elititled  
would not have  
benefits.

and found unfit,  
disabi  

blavy  

his  condition
c)r

Latinq  

lity  

him  to a  

His condition existed prior to service

Hence,

even if former SA Wiley

In summary,

the Petitioner was not fit for further naval

3.
:service  when he was discharged.
Due to the fact his condition existed prior to his entry
active duty and was not service aggravated, he would not have
been entitled to any disability benefits from the Navy when he
was separated.
BCNR application be denied.

His discharge was appropriate.
orn

I recommend that the Petitioner's

Accordingly,

 

2

Mental Health  
Naval Medical Center

Senices

San Diego. CA  

92 

134-5000

I-1-0111:

I 

0:

I~:ncl: 

(I) 

IC’NR 

I:ile

(2) Service 
(3) 

V/Y Records

Record

specialt! 
 

revie\\ of 

the petitioner ‘s 

reclwst of correction

that he was separated from the Navy by reason
 

he suffered from an  

ml? 

tting mental disorder which

22NOV9.9  the Department of Veteran Affairs

 
as 100% disabling retroactive to
in 

M-hile in the Navy  

rated 
 
esperie:lced 

s\mlptoms  

he 

of’ physical  
 
uus 
 
awardetl him  

disabilit>, in
mixliaymscd
XI-X 
tllat
initial

 
‘71:EB77.  
\wrc 
196-J  

~hc 

ice

1. Reference (a) requested a psychiatric
of 
his record to show  
1964.  He contends that
as a schizoid  
connection for a bipolar disorder, which it
agency determined that the
manifestations 

of-the bipolar disorder.

personalit\..  

Qn 

 

2. I  

nil1 review some of the service history:

Enlisted, USN

27AlJG6i
26SEP64
found on the deck of the ship - ‘refusing to move, talk or open his eyes. ” 
hours, he did not move, talk, open his eyes or eat. He was begun on Thorazine
2OCT64. His diagnosis was
and transferred Navy station Hospital  

onboard the U.S.S. Alamo when he was
FOI. 48

was admitted 

#3002 on 

Psychotic disorder ”.
was admitted to Navy station Hospital
tarily had not talked or moved secondary to not wanting

#3002. There,
 

a transfer that was to take place secondary to his poor work performance. He
told the physician that he was always a  “highly emotional child ”, a loner with no
friends, and easily upset over small things. It was also noted by the physician,
however, that he had a  “considerably flattened affect ” with some  “pressured
speech” with “vagueness to his thinking ” and was  “preoccupied with religion ”.
He demonstrated  “feelings of persecution ” and believed that  
falling apart” and that the 
stated that he liked the Navy  “because everything is canned  
drinks and entertainment. ” The physician felt that he was not  “fully fit for 
this time” and he was transferred to U.S. Naval Hospital Bremerton on  

“civiliza
-‘U.S. is going to be taken over in 8 years. “:

90CT64

includin

dutl at

’

able Schizoid Personality ”.
was admitted to U.S. Naval Hospital Oakland. He  was

)\

r 
Q3

‘.I;~?

1-h

medications during his 

Report of Board of Medical Survey written

not treated  with psychiatric  
was Schizoid personality disorder.
28OCT64
remained inpatient. This report noted childhood traits of studdcring and shyness.
~l‘lic patient considered  
tcachcrs secondary to being bashful and
tuxllcd having a  

\vas in this  
durin,

evaluation in San Diego  

himself‘s  “loner ” and 

relt he did not  

\\.ithdra\vn. It 

(7 boot camp  

_titalization.  

psq.chiatric  

get along  

th

1 

 

 

Iis diagnosis

whi 

Ic he

\\.ith his
report that  

hc

sxondar\,

3. I  

\\ 

ill 

I’C\ 

ic\\ 

IHe 

u ith

 

 

 

\\ 

IICK 

lie 

\\as

li~llo\Gng an

.

type. 

AF’R72
I 

his 

historI, 

 

Lvas treated  

v,.ith Mellaril 50  

rng 

-join the  “Jesus 

the 
tiom 
W’estern 

thllowing discharge

personalit>, disorder  

Narrative 
14APR71. 

“too scary ”  to talk about.

time 
\\xs noted to  

VA rated 70% disabled for Schizoid

nlovenlent.Y’ He was
father

ever he was going to  “give them up ” and 

have tangential
po bid and discharged

VA Spokane. WA. Psychological evaluation revealed that

ilagued by  “demonic forces who won ’t get off his back.

VA Seattle. WA day treatment program for a diagnosis of paranoid

 
\\;ithout overt psychosis ’.. He  

 
“too religious ”  and 

the
was
fearfLl1 looks and noted that

thoughts”.  It was noted that he was living with his
iainful employment.

 
Summar>- from  
\vas court ordered for 30 day
~~1s

IiSN:
State 
IHospital.  
 
obser\xtion 
“Schizophrenic  reaction  

of 
some 
-l.lliN7 
I
admitted on  
altercation with police. His diagnosis at that
paranoid 
thinking and paranoia. He
on this medication.
2 
paranoid trends.
12OCT72
schizophrenia. SA Wiley noted that his thoughts were 
Ilo\{ 
noted to have  “flighty 
and unable to keep any  
3MAR77
patient stated his wife left him because he has become 
scein(r “ visions. ” He demonstrated a flat affect with
he is 
alcoholism was also noted.
25MAY77
sometimes and feels that people conspire against each other. He also felt that he
“I am probably an
knew what was going on in other people ’s minds. He stated, 
expert in God, the universe, and the spirit world. ” He was diagnosed with
Chronic paranoid schizophrenia.
12JUL77
1 
disorder, mixed with psychotic symptoms and placed on Depakote. Other
medications during this time consisted of Lithium, Risperdal and  
also noted to struggle with alcohol and Cannabis abuse. He asked to be
specifically evaluated for PTSD, for which he did not meet criteria.
13SEP99
VA Seattle, WA. Psychiatric evaluation for PTSD.
did not diagnose PTSD, however noted that  “the veteran’s psychotic
manifestation developed in the service and have continued to this date. and that
the best diagnosis for his difficulties at this time is that of bipolar disorder, mixed
type.” Dr. Plattner also noted that the veteran is  “severely incapacitated by his
bipolar disorder” and “could not possibly gain or sustain competitive
employment.”
22NOV99

VA rated 70% disabled for Chronic Schizophrenia, paranoid type.

Psychiatric evaluation. SA Wiley stated that he heard voices

Spokane VA treatment records. Diagnosed with bipolar

VA rated 100% disabled retroactive to  

7FEB77 for Bipolar

DEC97-22APR99

“ A history of

Zoloft. He was

r

disorder.  ‘1
1964 

VA noted that his symptoms

espericr.
\vere the initial manifestations of bipolar disorder.

 

i 

\\.hile in  

the 

Na1.y in

Wilq,‘s  
she, and  
ol‘a 

SA 
of 

4. Discussion:
demonstrate 
relationships. 
obvious that
 
\vas 
\vhen he  
\\.itli 
iiisabilit\~ 
inliibilcd his  
Hindsight 
or 

 
LJpon review of  
prc-service history  
a 
\\hich could  
hc 
s~~! ‘t~cred 
admitted 

bc 
fi-om 
onhoard 
such 
to maintain
nccdcd in this patient
of a mental illness.

ahilit\ 
nianif~stalion 

iliaynoscs 

s~~mptoms  
ps\,chotic  
lhc 
as 

J.S.S.  
paranoid 
gaintlll 
’s 

\\as 

I 

;I 

s\~mptoms 
;I 
full year  
i1l:1nlc~.  
le 
I 
sclii/c)plircnia and  
crcatc 

cnlpl~~\ 
cxse to  

01. 

llic~til 
dclcrniine 

scr\,icc and VA records. it is
\vithdl-a\vn 
beha\,ior with  
Schi/.oid personality  

 

clear 

that 

does

he 
and

fc\v friends  

afier his  

has demonstrated a

disorder. 

t 

Io\\c\~r. it is also
I JSN

the 
ps!~chiatric

cnlistmcnt  in  
lifclon~ 

 

bip0lnr  
mcatiin

\\ 

liich 

disorder 
21111  
mptonis 

ha\ 
rc/;iiic~ii~liil~s.
\\crc 

pcrsc>n;llit! 

c

ii‘liis 

s! 

hascc

?I. 
service 

I~ecommendatit)iis:  It   is 

\verc indeed  

rhe 

iii\;  opinion
manif.estntioll  

that 
 
oI‘ his  

t he 
s\ 
ment;~l 

hc 
mp to ms 
\i,llich is  
illness. 

denionstratcd in  
sc\‘erc in  

‘)( A 
1 
na~urc.

\\ 

hilt in  

111~

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS

2 NAVY ANNEX

WASHINGTON DC 20370-5100

JRE
Docket No: 125-02
22 October 2002

This is  in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the
provisions of title 10 of the United States Code, section 1552.

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval Records, sitting in executive
on 3 October 2002. Your allegations of error and
session, considered your application  
injustice were reviewed in accordance with administrative regulations and procedures
applicable to the proceedings of this Board.
consisted of your application, together with all material submitted in support thereof, your
naval record and applicable statutes, regulations and policies.

Documentary material considered by the Board

After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire record, the Board found that the
evidence submitted was insufficient to establish the existence of probable material error or
injustice.

 

(TDRL) with a 30% disability rating for

The Board found that you were released from active duty on 29 September 1995, and
transferred to the Temporary Disability Retired List
asthma. On 11 January 2001, the President, Physical Evaluation Board, directed that your
name be removed from the TDRL because you failed to report for your final periodic
physical examination. In the absence of evidence which demonstrates that you were unfit for
duty at the expiration of five years from the date of the placement of your name on the
TDRL, and excuses your failure to report for the required periodic examination, the Board
was unable to recommend any corrective action in your case. Accordingly, your application
has been denied. The names and votes of the members of the panel will be furnished upon
request.

It is regretted that the circumstances of your case are such that favorable action cannot be
taken. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon submission of new
material evidence or other matter not previously considered by the Board. In this regard,
important to keep in mind that a presumption of regularity attaches to all official records.

and
it is

Consequently, when applying for a correction of an official naval record, the burden is on the
applicant to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

Sincerely,

W. DEAN PFEIFFER
Executive Director