Summary
A 35-year-old male applicant was denied a security clearance under Guideline I (Psychological Conditions) due to unmitigated concerns regarding his mental health. The Statement of Reasons detailed a history of psychological conditions and treatment non-compliance.
Specific allegations included mental health treatment in 2004 at an addiction and recovery facility, where he was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder, and reportedly missed appointments and failed to follow his treatment plan. From December 2003 to January 2005, he received treatment at another mental health facility, where he was diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder and Chronic Mood Disorder, but ceased treatment in January 2005 and refused further care. A June 2019 psychological evaluation confirmed these diagnoses and gave a guarded prognosis due to his long history of non-compliance prior to 2019.
Despite some compliance with treatment since 2019, the judge found that the applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence to mitigate security concerns. His history of non-compliance raised significant doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness. The judge also noted that his mental health conditions were not readily controllable and that he continued to experience severe anxiety daily, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient evidence to mitigate security concerns regarding his psychological conditions.
- The applicant's history of non-compliance with treatment raised significant doubts about his reliability and trustworthiness.
- The judge noted that the applicant's mental health conditions were not readily controllable and that he continued to experience severe anxiety daily.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 28(a)raisedBehavior That Casts Doubt on an Individual's Judgment, Stability, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 28(b)raisedAn Opinion by a Duly Qualified Mental Health Professional That the Individual Has a Condition That May Impair Judgment, Stability, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 28(d)raisedFailure to Follow a Prescribed Treatment Plan Related to a Diagnosed Psychological/psychiatric Condition
- AG ¶ 29(a)rejectedThe Identified Condition Is Readily Controllable with Treatment, and the Individual Has Demonstrated Ongoing and Consistent Compliance with the Treatment PlanThe applicant's treatment began less than two years ago, and he continues to experience severe anxiety.
- AG ¶ 29(b)appliedThe Individual Has Voluntarily Entered a Counseling or Treatment Program for a Condition That Is Amenable to Treatment
- AG ¶ 29(c)rejectedRecent Opinion by a Duly Qualified Mental Health Professional That an Individual's Previous Condition Is Under Control or in RemissionThe most recent evidence from a mental health professional was not from a qualified source approved by the U.S. Government.
- AG ¶ 29(d)rejectedThe Past Psychological/psychiatric Condition Was Temporary, the Situation Has Been ResolvedThe applicant's conditions involve a lifelong struggle and are not resolved.
- AG ¶ 29(e)rejectedThere Is No Indication of a Current ProblemThe applicant admitted to ongoing issues with anxiety.
Key rule quoted
“Eligibility for access to classified information is denied.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedNov 25, 2019
- Answer filedFeb 11, 2020
- Hearing heldMar 10, 2021
- Decision dateApr 9, 2021
Cite for
- Failure to Mitigate Psychological Conditions Under Guideline I
- Impact of Non-compliance with Treatment on Security Clearance Eligibility
- Consideration of Long-term Mental Health Issues in Security Clearance Decisions