Unjust Personality Disorder Discharge

[BoardOverAdmin]

I am currently active duty air force and mental health has recommended my commander to discharge me on the basis of "Adjustment Disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, intermittment explosive disorder, and paranoid personality disorder" the reason why i find these diagnosis to be unjust is because i had gone through a traumatic event a couple months ago where i was physically attacked for seeking help then i blacked out for the most park and find myself in an inpatient behavioral facility for two weeks. since i have returned, i have had great difficulty dealing with the thoughts. the nightmares ive been having. the insomnia. the painful memories of that event. i would have sudden panic attacks and great anxiety/depression and the suicidal ideation that comes with that. While mental health is aware of this, they are disregarding my symptoms about how the attack affected me and pushing the personality disorder discharge. it's unfair, as they caused this mental anguish and hopelessness to me. What are my options? Can I see my PCM and try to get a MEB on the A/O, so i can at least have something? I know for a fact that I have PTSD written all over me, but mental health wants to play their game and deny that the military is responsible for it.

 

[Jason Perry]

BoardOverAdmin,

Sorry to hear of your problems. While I have some comments, below, I am not clear about your overall situation. More information would be helpful.

I gather you are active duty Air Force. How many years of service do you have? What is your grade?

I am currently active duty air force and mental health has recommended my commander to discharge me on the basis of "Adjustment Disorder with mixed anxiety and depression, intermittment explosive disorder, and paranoid personality disorder"

Have you received a notification from your commander recommending separation? If this has not happened, really, there is nothing currently to "fight."

What is your duty status? Do you have an AF Form 469? If so, what does it states (particularly as to whether or not you need an MEB and/or are coded 37)?

. since i have returned, i have had great difficulty dealing with the thoughts. the nightmares ive been having. the insomnia. the painful memories of that event. i would have sudden panic attacks and great anxiety/depression and the suicidal ideation that comes with that.

Have you reported this and/or discussed this with your provider and/or your chain of command? Seems to me this, along with your hospitalization, would be cause for an MEB.

Is there any misconduct alleged?

While mental health is aware of this, they are disregarding my symptoms about how the attack affected me and pushing the personality disorder discharge.

See this reference about Personality Disorder discharge and the requirements for such a discharge:

DoDI 1332.14:

"3. CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT:

....(c) Separation on the basis of personality disorder, or other mental disorder not constituting a physical disability, is only authorized only if:
1. A diagnosis by an authorized mental health provider as defined in DoDI 6490.04 (Reference (ki)) utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Reference (lj)) and, in accordance with procedures established by the Military Department concerned, concludes that the disorder is so severe that the member’s ability to function effectively in the military environment is significantly impaired.
a. The onset of personality disorder is frequently manifested in the early adult years and may reflect an inability to adapt to the military environment as opposed to an inability to perform the requirements of specific jobs or tasks or both.
b. Observed behavior of specific deficiencies should be documented in appropriate counseling or personnel records. Documentation will include history from supervisors, peers, and others, as necessary to establish that the behavior is persistent, interferes with assignment to or performance of duty, and has continued after the enlisted Service member was counseled and afforded an opportunity to overcome the deficiencies.
2. The enlisted Service member has been formally counseled in writing on deficiencies as reflected in appropriate counseling or personnel records and has been afforded an opportunity to overcome those deficiencies.
3. The enlisted Service member has been counseled in writing on the diagnosis of a personality disorder, or other mental disorder not constituting a physical disability.
4. For enlisted Service members who have served or are currently serving in imminent danger pay areas, a diagnosis of personality disorder or other mental disorder not constituting a physical disability will:
a. Be corroborated by a peer or higher-level mental health professional.
b. Be endorsed by the Surgeon General of the Military Department concerned. c. Address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illness comorbidity. Unless found fit for duty by the disability evaluation system, a separation for personality disorder, or other mental disorder not constituting a physical disability, is not authorized if service-related PTSD is also diagnosed."

However, it is not clear to me that anyone has initiated separation based on "personality disorder." From what you have written, it seems the basis is, essentially "Adjustment Disorder."

it's unfair, as they caused this mental anguish and hopelessness to me.

Again, not sure if any concrete action has been taken.

What are my options?

Need to know more, especially as to your current situation to advise. It is not clear to me whether you have been indentifed and/or are actually undergoing separation process. Or if you are/have been referred to the MEB or PEB.

I know for a fact that I have PTSD written all over me, but mental health wants to play their game and deny that the military is responsible for it.

Need to see or know what separation action is currently happening and if you have been notified or are actually undergoing any separation processing to provide more input.

Hope this helped. Best of luck!

Regards,

Jason

 

[chaplaincharlie]

You may want to request a second opinion outside the military system. Then, if you get official notification of discharge, you will have some independent evidence of your mental health.

 

[notgivingup]

If someone is diagnosed with a condition (like borderline personality disorder) and I believe adjustment disorder - and it is deemed as present upon enlistment, how does the "8 year rule" apply? I have seen the 8 year rule mentioned at times, but if someone has been in the Army well over 8 years and diagnosed with BPD, would he/she be entitled to nothing because of pre-existing?

Thanks!

 

[J.B.]

Look into the Intermittent Explosive disorder. That's is a diagnosis meant for children, ive researched it. There may be something else going on, challenge it with your doctors. its often used for the spurts of anger you get with PTSD. Look at the CFR 38 for PTSD and see if you feel you fall under it.

 

[BoardOverAdmin]

BoardOverAdmin,

Sorry to hear of your problems. While I have some comments, below, I am not clear about your overall situation. More information would be helpful.

I gather you are active duty Air Force. How many years of service do you have? What is your grade?



Have you received a notification from your commander recommending separation? If this has not happened, really, there is nothing currently to "fight."

What is your duty status? Do you have an AF Form 469? If so, what does it states (particularly as to whether or not you need an MEB and/or are coded 37)?



Have you reported this and/or discussed this with your provider and/or your chain of command? Seems to me this, along with your hospitalization, would be cause for an MEB.

Is there any misconduct alleged?



See this reference about Personality Disorder discharge and the requirements for such a discharge:

DoDI 1332.14:

"3. CONVENIENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT:

....(c) Separation on the basis of personality disorder, or other mental disorder not constituting a physical disability, is only authorized only if:
1. A diagnosis by an authorized mental health provider as defined in DoDI 6490.04 (Reference (ki)) utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Reference (lj)) and, in accordance with procedures established by the Military Department concerned, concludes that the disorder is so severe that the member’s ability to function effectively in the military environment is significantly impaired.
a. The onset of personality disorder is frequently manifested in the early adult years and may reflect an inability to adapt to the military environment as opposed to an inability to perform the requirements of specific jobs or tasks or both.
b. Observed behavior of specific deficiencies should be documented in appropriate counseling or personnel records. Documentation will include history from supervisors, peers, and others, as necessary to establish that the behavior is persistent, interferes with assignment to or performance of duty, and has continued after the enlisted Service member was counseled and afforded an opportunity to overcome the deficiencies.
2. The enlisted Service member has been formally counseled in writing on deficiencies as reflected in appropriate counseling or personnel records and has been afforded an opportunity to overcome those deficiencies.
3. The enlisted Service member has been counseled in writing on the diagnosis of a personality disorder, or other mental disorder not constituting a physical disability.
4. For enlisted Service members who have served or are currently serving in imminent danger pay areas, a diagnosis of personality disorder or other mental disorder not constituting a physical disability will:
a. Be corroborated by a peer or higher-level mental health professional.
b. Be endorsed by the Surgeon General of the Military Department concerned. c. Address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental illness comorbidity. Unless found fit for duty by the disability evaluation system, a separation for personality disorder, or other mental disorder not constituting a physical disability, is not authorized if service-related PTSD is also diagnosed."

However, it is not clear to me that anyone has initiated separation based on "personality disorder." From what you have written, it seems the basis is, essentially "Adjustment Disorder."



Again, not sure if any concrete action has been taken.

Need to know more, especially as to your current situation to advise. It is not clear to me whether you have been indentifed and/or are actually undergoing separation process. Or if you are/have been referred to the MEB or PEB.


Need to see or know what separation action is currently happening and if you have been notified or are actually undergoing any separation processing to provide more input.

Hope this helped. Best of luck!

Regards,

Jason

I am an E-3 shy of 2 years TOS. I have received the notification of my CC recommending separation under honorable conditions. however, as you may have gathered, the event has caused mental dysfunction and i am trying to get whatever information and help I can to overturn the personality discharge into a MEB resulting in a medical separation/retirement, which would be fair and just in my situation. this IED (which is commonly diagnosed in younger adolescence) is the fastest way mental health is cleaning hands with me while the AF is not responsible for the damage caused. There is no misconduct involved in the CC's decision.

 

[gsfowler]

Look into the Intermittent Explosive disorder. That's is a diagnosis meant for children, ive researched it. There may be something else going on, challenge it with your doctors. its often used for the spurts of anger you get with PTSD. Look at the CFR 38 for PTSD and see if you feel you fall under it.

I think you may be mistaken here. IED is appropriate for anyone who is greater than 6 years old and meet the diagnostic criteria below:

1. Recurrent behavioral outbursts representing a failure to control aggressive impulses as manifested by either of the following:
   1. Verbal aggression (e.g., temper tantrums, tirades, verbal arguments or fights) or physical aggression toward property, animals, or other individuals, occurring twice weekly, on average, for a period of 3 months. The physical aggression does not result in damage or destruction of property and does not result in physical injury to animals or other individuals.
   2. Three behavioral outbursts involving damage or destruction of property and/or physical assault involving physical injury against animals or other individuals occurring within a 12-month period.
2. The magnitude of aggressiveness expressed during the recurrent outbursts is grossly out of proportion to the provocation or to any precipitating psychosocial stressors.
3. The recurrent aggressive outbursts are not premeditated (i.e., they are impulsive and/or anger-based) and are not committed to achieve some tangible objective (e.g., money, power, intimidation).
4. The recurrent aggressive outbursts cause either marked distress in the individual or impairment in occupational or interpersonal functioning, or are associated with financial or legal consequences.
5. Chronological age is at least 6 years (or equivalent developmental level).
6. The recurrent aggressive outbursts are not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g., major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, a psychotic disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder) and are not attributable to another medical condition (e.g., head trauma, Alzheimer’s disease) or to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication). For children ages 6–18 years, aggressive behavior that occurs as part of an adjustment disorder should not be considered for this diagnosis.

Note: This diagnosis can be made in addition to the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or autism spectrum disorder when recurrent impulsive aggressive outbursts are in excess of those usually seen in these disorders and warrant independent clinical attention.

That is not to say that there may not be a more appropriate diagnosis based upon the symptoms that the OP currently has. I too recommend that the OP gets a second opinion to rule out misdiagnosis.

 

[BoardOverAdmin]

Given all the evidence I have from mental health records concerning my PTSD symptoms, I will seek another opinion. However, if it came from a licensed civilian psychologist, would it have weight on the fact that I should be boarded instead of admin separation?

 

[gsfowler]

Given all the evidence I have from mental health records concerning my PTSD symptoms, I will seek another opinion. However, if it came from a licensed civilian psychologist, would it have weight on the fact that I should be boarded instead of admin separation?

Definitely a mitigating factor. I absolutely feel your should fight for a MEB.

 

[BoardOverAdmin]

Definitely a mitigating factor. I absolutely feel your should fight for a MEB.

Thank you. I will do as such. Will update results...

 

[Lotofkids]

Do you have an update?