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NAVY | DRB | 2007_Navy | ND0700128
Original file (ND0700128.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied
ex-SN, USN
ND07-00128
Current Discharge and Applicant’s Request
Application Received: 20061108   Characterization Received: (entry level separation)
Narrative Reason: DISABILITY, SEVERANCE PAY      Authority: MILPERSMAN 3620270

 Applicant’s Request:      Characterization change to:
                           Narrative Reason change to:
Applicant’s Issues:       1. Performance warranted characterization of service as honorable.

Decision

 By a vote of the Characterization shall (entry level separation) .    
By a vote of the Narrative Reason shall DISABILITY, SEVERANCE PAY .
Date: 20 070920            DOCUMENTARY REVIEW      Location: Washington D.C.

Discussion

Issue 1 ( ). By regulation, members notified of intended recommendation for discharge within the first 180 days of enlistment are eligible for an uncharacterized or entry-level separation characterization of service. Unless there were unusual circumstances regarding a servicemember’s performance or conduct that would merit an honorable characterization, an uncharacterized discharge is generally considered the most appropriate characterization of a member’s service. The Physical Evaluation Board’s preliminary finding recommending separation occurred within 180 days of the Applicant’s enlistment. The Applicant's service record did not contain any unusual circumstances during his less than 9 months in the military to warrant a change of discharge to honorable. The Applicant should be aware that, with respect to nonservice-related administrative matters, i.e., VA benefits, educational pursuits, and especially civilian employment, an uncharacterized separation is considered the equivalent of an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge.

In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of Government affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the Applicant. After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s Summary of Service, Medical and Service Record Entries, Discharge Process and evidence submitted by the Applicant, the Board found the Applicant’s discharge proper and equitable.
Summary of Service

Prior Service:
 Inactive: US N R (DEP)      19961214 - 19970211     Active:         
Period of Service Under Review:
 Date of Enlistment: 1997 0 212      Years Contracted : ; Extension:          Date of Discharge: 19971024
Length of Service : 00 Yrs 08 Mths 13 D ys          Lost Time : Days UA: Days Confine d :
Education Level:         Age at Enlistment:       AFQT: 8 7          Highest Rank /Rate : SN
Evaluation marks (# of occasions):       N/A      Awards and Decorations ( per DD 214): NONE

Medical/Service Record Entries Related to Characterization of Service or Basis for Discharge

 19970331:        Medical Board Report: Diagnosis: Herniated nucleus pulposus, L5/S1, EPTE, service aggravated, discogenic low back pain, EPTE, service aggravated, L5 Radiculopathy, EPTE, service aggravated. Referred to Physical Evaluation Board for adjudication.

 19970420:        Applicant submitted rebuttal statement indicating no back problems prior to service .

 19970421:        Applicant acknowledged findings of medical board.

 19970527:        Attending Care Provider submitted statement indicating Applicant had referred to “minimal” pre-service back pain during treatment. Reiterated opinion of pre-existing pathology of lumbar spine exacerbated in service.

Discharge Process

 19970625:        Physical Evaluation Board preliminary findings: Applicant unfit. Recommended separation with severance pay. Unfitting Conditions: Radiculopathy. Conditions that contribute to the unfitting conditions: Discogenic low back pain and herniated nucleus pulposus.

19970717:        Applicant acknowledged and accepted PEB preliminary findings, and waived right to formal hearing.

19970722:        President, Physical Evaluation Board requested Chief of Naval Personnel separate Applicant.
Separation Authority (date):     BUPERS ( 19970819 )
 Reason for discharge directed:  PHYSICAL DISABILITY WITH SEVERANCE PAY
Characterization directed:      NONE
Date Applicant Discharged:       19971024

Types of Documents Submitted by Applicant and Considered By Board

 Related to Military Service:      Service and/or Medical Record:            Other Records:

Related to Post-Service Period:         
         Employment:                        Finances:                          Education:               
         Health/Medical Records:                   Substance Abuse:                           Criminal Records:       
         Family/Personal Status:                   Community Service:                References:              
        
Additional Statements From Applicant:    From Representative:
Other Documentation (Describe) Letter from Department of Veterans Affairs
Pertinent Regulation/Law

 A. Naval Military Personnel, (NAVPERS 15560C), Change 14, effective 03 October 1996 until 11 December 1997, Article 3620270, SEPARATION OF ENLISTED PERSONNEL BY REASON OF DISABILITY:

 B. Secretary of the Navy Instruction 5420.174D of 22 December 2004, Naval Discharge Review Board (NDRB) Procedures and Standards, Part II, Para 211, Regularity of Government Affairs , Part V, Para 502, Propriety and Para 503, Equity .



ADDENDUM: Information for the Applicant

 Complaint Procedures : If you believe that the decision in your case is unclear, not responsive to the issues you raised, or does not otherwise comport with the decisional document requirements of DoD Instruction 1332.28, you may submit a complaint in accordance with Enclosure (5) of that Instruction to the Joint Service Review Activity, OUSD (P&R) PI-LP, The Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-4000 . You should read Enclosure (5) of the Instruction before submitting such a complaint. The complaint procedure does not permit a challenge of the merits of the decision; it is designed solely to ensure that the decisional documents meet applicable requirements for clarity and responsiveness. You may view DoD Instruction 1332.28 and other Decisional Documents by going online at “ http://Boards.law.af.mil . ”

Additional Reviews : Subsequent to a document review, former members are eligible for a personal appearance hearing, provi ded the application is received at the NDRB within 15 years from the date of discharge. The Applicant can provide documentation to support any claims of post-service accomplishments or any additional evidence related to this discharge. Representation at a personal appearance hearing is recommended but not required. If a former member has been discharged for more than 15 years , has already been grante d a personal appearance hearing or has otherwise exhausted his opportunities before the NDRB, the Applicant may petition the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR), 2 Navy Annex, Washington, DC 20370-5100 for further review.

 Service Benefits: The Veterans Administration determines eligibility for post-service benefits, not the Naval Discharge Review Board. There is no requirement or law that grants recharacterization solely on the issue of obtaining Veterans' benefits and this issue does not serve to provide a foundation upon which the Board can grant relief.
Employmen t / Educational Opportunities : The Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing employment or educational opportunities. Regulations limit the Board’s review to a determination of the propriety and equity of the discharge.

Reenlistment/RE-code: Since the NDRB has no jurisdiction over reenlistment, reentry, or reinstatement into the Navy, Marine Corps, or any other of the Armed Forces, the NDRB is not authorized to change a reenlistment code. Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) can make changes to reenlistment codes. Additionally, the Board has no authority to upgrade a discharge for the sole purpose of enhancing reenlistment opportunities. An unfavorable “RE” code is, in itself, not a bar to reenlistment. A request for a waiver can be submitted during the processing of a formal application for reenlistment through a recruiter.
Medical Conditions and Misconduct : DoD disability regulations do not preclude a disciplinary separation. Appropriate regulations stipulate that separations for misconduct take precedence over potential separations for other reasons. Whenever a member is being processed through the Physical Evaluation Board, and subsequently is processed for an administrative involuntary separation for misconduct, the disability evaluation is suspended. The Physical Evaluation Board case remains in suspense pending the outcome of the non-disability proceedings. If the action includes either a punitive or administrative discharge for misconduct, the medical board report is filed in the member’s terminated health record. Additionally, the NDRB does not have the authority to change a narrative reason for separation to one indicating a medical disability or “PTSD . ” Only the Board for Correction of Naval Records can grant this type of narrative reason change.

Automatic Upgrades - There is no law or regulation, which provides that an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in civilian life subsequent to leaving Naval service. The NDRB is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the Applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review. Examples of documentation that may be provided to the Board include proof of educational pursuits, verifiable employment records, documentation of community service, credible evidence of a substance free lifestyle and certification of non-involvement with civil authorities.

Issues Concerning Bad-Conduct Discharges (BCD ) – Because relevant and material facts stated in a court-martial specification are presumed by the NDRB to be established facts, issues relating to the Applicant’s innocence of charges for which he was found guilty cannot form a basis for relief. With respect to a discharge adjudged by a court-martial, the action of the NDRB is restricted to upgrades based on clemency. Clemency is an act of leniency that reduces the severity of the punishment imposed.

Board Membership: The names and votes of the members of the Board are recorded on the original of this document and may be obtained from the service records by writing to:

 Secretary of the Navy Council of Review Boards
 Attn: Naval Discharge Review Board
 720 Kennon Street SE Rm 309
Washington Navy Yard DC 20374-5023

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