ISCR Case No. 25-00940

cant for Security Clearance ) ___________________________________ ) Appeara

ces For Government: William H. Miller, Esq., Department Counsel For Applicant: Pro se 06/30/2026 Decision ROSS, Wilford H., Administrative Judge: Applicant did not mitigate

the security concerns under Guidelines I (Psychological Conditions), G (Alcohol Consumption), and J (Criminal Conduct). Eligibility for access to classified information is denied. Statement of the Case Applicant submitted a security clearance application (SCA) on May 13, 2022. On January 12, 2026, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) sent her a Statement of Reasons (SOR) alleging security concerns under Guidelines I, G, and J. Applicant answered the SOR on or about February 13, 2026, and requested a decision on the written record in lieu of a hearing. Department Counsel submitted the Government’s written case on March 11, 2026. A complete copy of the file of relevant material (FORM) was sent to Applicant, who was given an opportunity to file objections and submit material to refute, extenuate, or mit

gate the Government’s evidence. She received the FORM on March 20, 2026, and on March 27, 2026, she responded by resubmitting her answer to the SOR. The case was assigned to me on June 10, 2026. 1

The Government’s FORM consists of the pleadings in the case (Government Exhibit (GE) 1), Applicant’s answer to the SOR (GE 2), and the documents in support of the allegations in the SOR (GE 3-8). GE 3 through 8 are admitted into evidence, without objection. Applicant’s response to Government’s FORM is a duplicate of her 15-page answer to the SOR, which has been marked as GE 2 and is already a part of the record. To avoid duplication and potential confusion, Applicant’s response to Government’s FORM will not be marked or made part of the record. Findings of Fact The SOR alleges under Guideline I that Applicant meets the criteria for persistent depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder, and that her reliability, judgment, and trustworthiness are compromised by her psychological state (SOR ¶ 1.a). From December 2020 to August 2025, she received treatment for pervasive instability in moods, behavior, and interpersonal relationships, and a history of suicidal thoughts. At her intake for treatment, in about December 2020, she was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) (SOR ¶ 1.c). After a suicide attempt in April 2022, she was hospitalized and received treatment through partial hospitalization and residential treatment from about October 2022 until December 2022. Her treatment addressed her diagnoses of persistent depressive disorder (PDD), BPD, and specific phobia, other (SOR ¶ 1.b). Applicant admits the allegations under Guideline I, SOR ¶¶ 1.b and 1.c, and denies the allegation in SOR ¶ 1.a. (GE 2) The SOR alleges under Guideline G that Applicant has consumed alcohol in excess since about age 16 to at least July 2025 (SOR ¶ 2.b). In August 2018, she was arrested and convicted for driving while intoxicated and failure to stop at the scene of an accident (SOR ¶ 2.c). She continues to drink and based on an evaluation conducted at the request of DCSA in September 2024, she meets the criteria for alcohol use disorder, severe (SOR ¶ 2.a). Applicant admits the allegations under Guideline G, SOR ¶¶ 2.b and 2.c, and denies the allegation in SOR ¶ 2.a. (GE 2) The SOR alleges under Guideline J that Applicant was arrested in December 2022 for two counts of assault and battery on a family member and related charges (SOR ¶ 3.b). It also cross-alleges the DUI allegation detailed in SOR ¶ 2.c, above (SOR ¶ 3.a). Applicant admitted the allegations under Guideline J. (GE 2) Applicant is 34 years old, received her bachelor’s degree in 2014, and has been employed with her government contractor employer since October 2017. She has no prior military history and had been cohabitating with her now husband since March 2020; they married on July 5, 2025. (GE 3; GE 8 at 5) Applicant was voluntarily hospitalized for depression and suicidal thoughts after a suicide attempt on about April 12, 2022. She impulsively consumed excessive amounts of over-the-counter pain medication, immediately regretted it, and informed her now husband, who took her to the hospital. (GE 2; GE 4 at 15; GE 5 at 3) She was hospitalized in behavioral health from April 13 through April 17, 2022, and diagnosed with PDD, BPD, 2

to address her various diagnoses. (GE 4 at 17, 306; GE 5 at 3) She left PHP early, after attending only eight days out of the 25-day recommended treatment, to at

tend a different Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) instead. (GE 4 at 306) (SOR ¶ 1.b) The record is unclear if this was against treatment recommendations. She failed to disclose either her diagnoses or her hospitalization and residential treatment in Section 21 – Psychological and Emotional Health of her May 2022 SCA. (GE 3 at 56-57)

and specific phobia, other. She subsequently entered a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) from November 29, 2022 through December 14, 20221 During her biopsychosocial assessment at behavioral health on April 20, 2022, it was noted that Applicant did not believe she needed help with her alcohol use, but that she suffered from social anxiety and recognized she needed a new coping mechanism to manage her stress, since she could no longer exercise as much as she once did. (GE 4 at 17, 20) She presented with the following problems: dependent traits, family conflicts, medical issues, social anxiety, and unipolar depression. (GE 4 at 21) She agreed with her diagnosis of major depressive disorder, but disagreed with previous bipolar and borderline personality diagnoses. (GE 4 at 20-21) [She] reported that a previous psychiatrist diagnosed her with bipolar disorder, BPD, and attempted medication which did not change her thought patterns. [She] shared having no symptoms of mania and felt confused about the diagnosis. [She sought] a new psychiatrist who believed she has a major depressive disorder and tried multiple medications to control her feelings related to severe sadness and social anxiety… [She

exhibited symptoms of persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) including but not limited to a depressed mood for most of the day, low energy, low self- esteem, and poor concentration, and she has not been without symptoms … for more than 2 months at a time. [She] has also met the criteria for major depressive disorder continuously for greater than 2 years. Additionally, [she] exhibits symptoms of social anxiety disorder with marked fear or anxiety about social situations. (GE 4 at 20-21) In December 2022, Applicant underwent another biopsychosocial assessment at behavioral health. During this assessment she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). (GE 4 at 23) At the time, she reported her age of first alcohol use as 17 and that at 22 she began to regularly consume alcohol. In December 2022, she reported that she consumed about 10 alcohol drinks within three-to-four days to help cope with her anxiety. (GE 4 at 34) In February 2023, she reported that when she consumes alcohol, she had a hard time stopping and usually continued drinking until she went to bed. (GE 4 at 808) (SOR ¶ 2.b) She reported her then-current consumption as two to three mixed drinks once every week or every two weeks. (GE 2 at 3; GE 4 at 24; GE 8 at 5) She has had suicidal thoughts off and on since she was a teenager, and she has a family history of depression and alcohol use disorder. (GE 4 at 27-29) During this assessment, unlike in April 2022, she admitted to needing 1 Applicant reported her dates of treatment as “10/2022 – 11/2022” which conflicts with medical records. (GE 4 at 6) 3

help with her alcohol use and reported that “she does not want to be suicidal and wants to feel better about life.” (GE 4 at 30) She reported being aware of her suicidal triggers and needing help with impulse control. (GE 4 at 31) She presented with the following problems: anxiety, borderline traits, medical issues, self-harm, sleep disturbance, substance use disorders, and suicidal ideations. (GE 4 at 34) From about April 2022 to January 2023, Applicant regularly attended both ind

vidual and group therapy sessions to address her anxiety, social anxiety, dependent traits, borderline traits, medical issues, self-harm, sleep disturbance, substance use disorder, suicidal ideation, and depression. (GE 4 at 4-5, 109-987) She also attended couples counseling with her now husband, though it was not regular. (GE 4 at 4, 237- 239) She has also been treated by a psychiatrist and prescribed various psychotropic medications to manage and treat her various mental health conditions from about May 2019 to present. (GE 4 at 8, 893-960; GE 5 at 3) (SOR ¶ 1.c) Applicant was evaluated on September 15, 2024, by a duly qualified mental health professional (MHP) at the request of DCSA. (GE 5) According to the MHP’s impressions, although Applicant was receiving treatment, she had not yet taken the time to effectively and consistently address her underlying personality traits that contribute to her other depressive symptoms and alcohol use. The report states under “Conclusions & Recommendations”: [Applicant’s] self-report was a mix of truthfulness and minimization. [She] has a long history of inconsistent medication management and therapy treatment. Her sporadic treatment regimens and inconsistent therapy relationships signify unstable interpersonal relationships. While she is now in a long-term intimate relationship, their initial conflicts, as she described, were rooted in her fears of abandonment, and irrational behaviors and cognitive distortions that led to unhealthy behaviors. She has also historically sought treatment after the dissolution of relationships. Proactively seeking treatment is commendable; however, it appears she does so when stressors emerge and then stops once they have seemingly improved. Thus, her treatment-seeking has not addressed her underlying maladaptive personality traits for a persistent period. It is quite possible her depressive symptoms are much improved with her new treatment regimen of [medication for treatment-resistant depression]; however, she continues to drink. Although the amount and frequency of alcohol she reportedly drinks are not generally concerning, [she] would be prudent to completely stop alcohol, given her history, and unaddressed borderline personality traits. In sum, [Applicant’s] self-report was not reliable. It is possible she is at a juncture in which she is taking accountability for her psychological state. This is noted in her currently receiving treatment for depressive symptoms. Her most recent psychological decompensation was approximately two years ago, and she is now involved in a healthy long-term relationship, but 4

she has not taken the time to effectively and consistently address her underlying personality traits that contribute to her other depressive symptoms and alcohol use. There were observable behaviors[,] such as denying background negatives and minimization, or inconsistencies in her self-report to suggest dissimulation or deception. (GE 5 at 4-5) Based on background information, collateral records, Applicant’s self-report, and clinical interview, the MHP opined that Applicant met “the criteria for persistent depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, severe, and borderline personality disorder,” all of which are conditions that could potentially affect Applicant’s reliability, judgment, stability, and trustworthiness. (GE 5 at 4) Based on the foregoing, the MHP opined “within reasonable certainty, that the [Applicant’s] reliability, judgment, stability, and trustworthiness ARE compromised by her current psychological state.” (GE 5 at 5) (SOR ¶¶ 1.a and 2.a) On August 9, 2018, Applicant was involved in a motor vehicle accident where she left the scene before providing identifying information. Immediately after the accident, Applicant drove to a nearby drug store parking lot, where the driver of the other vehicle was able to make contact with Applicant. However, instead of exchanging information, the Applicant told the other driver to follow her home and then drove away. The other driver did not follow and notified police instead. Applicant, after leaving the scene of the first accident, was involved in a second accident, where the driver of the second vehicle she hit was able to box Applicant’s vehicle in and await police arrival. Applicant was detained by police officers and subjected to field sobriety tests, after which she was arrested for driving while intoxicated and transported to the police station. (GE 7 at 1-4) Formal charges were filed against Applicant on August 16, 2018, and she was later convicted of driving while intoxicated and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. (SOR ¶¶ 2.b, 2.c and 3.a; GE 6 at 1-4) On December 30, 2022, Applicant was arrested for assault and battery against a family member and damage to a phone line. Formal charges were filed on January 3, 2023. (GE 6 at 5-7) Her now husband phoned the police after Applicant began to hit and attack him, to include biting him. Officers arrived at the scene and spoke with both parties. Though both had visible injuries, officers noted that her version of events were “scattered,” she was reluctant to speak with them, and she stated she did not remember what had happened. He reported that he only put hands on her to stop her from hitting him. The officers determined on the scene that she was the “predominate physical aggressor” and she was arrested. Applicant complained to officers on the scene that her finger felt injured. (GE 7 at 5-9) During a group therapy session in January 2023, she disclosed she had broken her finger by punching a table and was arrested for domestic violence. (GE 4 at 117) (SOR ¶ 3.b) Applicant admits the arrest but describes the incident drastically differently, insisting it was a mental health crisis and not a criminal incident. She stated that her husband “was trying to call a non-emergency mental health hotline to help [her] when [she] was having an episode in which [she] did hit his arm when he was trying to help 5

She has had no police incidents since. (GE 2)

[her].” She believes her husband did not mean to have her

arrested or charged and that he felt guilty afterwards, so he retained a lawyer to represent her and told prosecutors he did not want to pursue charges, and the case resolved in a nolle prosequi.2 Applicant in her answer to the SOR avers that she is “happy to stop drinking all together” but that no one has outright recommended she stop drinking. (GE 2) These days, she only drinks with her husband and she looks to him “to hold her accountable.” (GE 2) She was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in January 2025 and insists that this makes her previous BPD “no longer relevant.” (GE 2) She states that “she’s doing much better now” and has “developed much better interpersonal relationships skills after [she] received the Autism[sic] diagnosis.” (GE 2) However, the record is void of causal evidence linking how the ASD diagnosis alone resolves all previous diagnosis or has helped her manage her BPD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. She states, “I received inpatient treatment, residential treatment, and continued therapy and medication, which I am doing much better now. I no longer have instability in moods or behavior.” (GE 2) However, she received these treatments before she was diagnosed with ASD and, based on the MHP opinion, she had not taken the time to effectively and consistently address her underlying personality traits that contribute to her other depressive symptoms and alcohol use. Applicant hopes to have her new autism diagnosis, and not her previous BPD and other mental health diagnoses, explain her past erratic and impulsive behaviors. However, the ASD diagnosis report she includes with her answer does not support such a conclusion. (GE 2) Applicant’s January 2025 evaluation was conducted at her own discretion with a qualified mental health professional and “focused on ruling in or out the diagnosis of autism.” (GE 2 at 7)? The “[d]iagnostic categories outside of autism were assessed only to the degree to which they impact assignment of an autism diagnosis.” (GE 2 at 7)? The evaluation was “not meant to be a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.” (GE 2 at 7) The report states in “Summary”: [Applicant] meets the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder […] without intellectual/developmental delay or significant language impairment, requiring support at level one. Autism commonly co-occurs with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Often, anxiety and depression develop over time and are related to the stress of masking one’s autism in environments which were not designed for autistic people. Given the targeted nature of this evaluation, a full diagnostic evaluation for psychological conditions was not completed. [Applicant] also endorsed several previous

vidual and group therapy sessions to address her anxiety, social anxiety, dependent traits, borderline traits, medical issues, self-harm, sleep disturbance, substance use disorder, suicidal ideation, and depression. (GE 4 at 4-5, 109-987) She also attended couples counseling with her now husband, though it was not regular. (GE 4 at 4, 237- 239) She has also been treated by a psychiatrist and prescribed various psychotropic medications to manage and treat her various mental health conditions from about May 2019 to present. (GE 4 at 8, 893-960; GE 5 at 3) (SOR ¶ 1.c) Applicant was evaluated on September 15, 2024, by a duly qualified mental health professional (MHP) at the request of DCSA. (GE 5) According to the MHP’s impressions, although Applicant was receiving treatment, she had not yet taken the time to effectively and consistently address her underlying personality traits that contribute to her other depressive symptoms and alcohol use. The report states under “Conclusions & Recommendations”: [Applicant’s] self-report was a mix of truthfulness and minimization. [She] has a long history of inconsistent medication management and therapy treatment. Her sporadic treatment regimens and inconsistent therapy relationships signify unstable interpersonal relationships. While she is now in a long-term intimate relationship, their initial conflicts, as she described, were rooted in her fears of abandonment, and irrational behaviors and cognitive distortions that led to unhealthy behaviors. She has also historically sought treatment after the dissolution of relationships. Proactively seeking treatment is commendable; however, it appears she does so when stressors emerge and then stops once they have seemingly improved. Thus, her treatment-seeking has not addressed her underlying maladaptive personality traits for a persistent period. It is quite possible her depressive symptoms are much improved with her new treatment regimen of [medication for treatment-resistant depression]; however, she continues to drink. Although the amount and frequency of alcohol she reportedly drinks are not generally concerning, [she] would be prudent to completely stop alcohol, given her history, and unaddressed borderline personality traits. In sum, [Applicant’s] self-report was not reliable. It is possible she is at a juncture in which she is taking accountability for her psychological state. This is noted in her currently receiving treatment for depressive symptoms. Her most recent psychological decompensation was approximately two years ago, and she is now involved in a healthy long-term relationship, but 4

she has not ta

en the time to effectively and consistently address her underlying personality traits that contribute to her other depressive symptoms and alcohol use. There were observable behaviors[,] such as denying background negatives and minimization, or inconsistencies in her self-report to suggest dissimulation or deception. (GE 5 at 4-5) Based on background information, collateral records, Applicant’s self-report, and clinical interview, the MHP opined that Applicant met “the criteria for persistent depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, severe, and borderline personality disorder,” all of which are conditions that could potentially affect Applicant’s reliability, judgment, stability, and trustworthiness. (GE 5 at 4) Based on the foregoing, the MHP opined “within reasonable certainty, that the [Applicant’s] reliability, judgment, stability, and trustworthiness ARE compromised by her current psychological state.” (GE 5 at 5) (SOR ¶¶ 1.a and 2.a) On August 9, 2018, Applicant was involved in a motor vehicle accident where she left the scene before providing identifying information. Immediately after the accident, Applicant drove to a nearby drug store parking lot, where the driver of the other vehicle was able to make contact with Applicant. However, instead of exchanging information, the Applicant told the other driver to follow her home and then drove away. The other driver did not follow and notified police instead. Applicant, after leaving the scene of the first accident, was involved in a second accident, where the driver of the second vehicle she hit was able to box Applicant’s vehicle in and await police arrival. Applicant was detained by police officers and subjected to field sobriety tests, after which she was arrested for driving while intoxicated and transported to the police station. (GE 7 at 1-4) Formal charges were filed against Applicant on August 16, 2018, and she was later convicted of driving while intoxicated and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. (SOR ¶¶ 2.b, 2.c and 3.a; GE 6 at 1-4) On December 30, 2022, Applicant was arrested for assault and battery against a family member and damage to a phone line. Formal charges were filed on January 3, 2023. (GE 6 at 5-7) Her now husband phoned the police after Applicant began to hit and attack him, to include biting him. Officers arrived at the scene and spoke with both parties. Though both had visible injuries, officers noted that her version of events were “scattered,” she was reluctant to speak with them, and she stated she did not remember what had happened. He reported that he only put hands on her to stop her from hitting him. The officers determined on the scene that she was the “predominate physical aggressor” and she was arrested. Applicant complained to officers on the scene that her finger felt injured. (GE 7 at 5-9) During a group therapy session in January 2023, she disclosed she had broken her finger by punching a table and was arrested for domestic violence. (GE 4 at 117) (SOR ¶ 3.b) Applicant admits the arrest but describes the incident drastically differently, insisting it was a mental health crisis and not a criminal incident. She stated that her husband “was trying to call a non-emergency mental health hotline to help [her] when [she] was having an episode in which [she] did hit his arm when he was trying to help 5

She has had no police incidents sinc

. (GE 2)

[her].” She believes her husband did not mean to have her

arrested or charged and that he felt guilty afterwards, so he retained a lawyer to represent her and told prosecutors he did not want to pursue charges, and the case resolved in a nolle prosequi.2 Applicant in her answer to the SOR avers that she is “happy to stop drinking all together” but that no one has outright recommended she stop drinking. (GE 2) These days, she only drinks with her husband and she looks to him “to hold her accountable.” (GE 2) She was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in January 2025 and insists that this makes her previous BPD “no longer relevant.” (GE 2) She states that “she’s doing much better now” and has “developed much better interpersonal relationships skills after [she] received the Autism[sic] diagnosis.” (GE 2) However, the record is void of causal evidence linking how the ASD diagnosis alone resolves all previous diagnosis or has helped her manage her BPD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. She states, “I received inpatient treatment, residential treatment, and continued therapy and medication, which I am doing much better now. I no longer have instability in moods or behavior.” (GE 2) However, she received these treatments before she was diagnosed with ASD and, based on the MHP opinion, she had not taken the time to effectively and consistently address her underlying personality traits that contribute to her other depressive symptoms and alcohol use. Applicant hopes to have her new autism diagnosis, and not her previous BPD and other mental health diagnoses, explain her past erratic and impulsi

e behaviors. However, the ASD diagnosis report she includes with her answer does not support such a conclusion. (GE 2) Applicant’s January 2025 evaluation was conducted at her own discretion with a qualified mental health professional and “focused on ruling in or out the diagnosis of autism.” (GE 2 at 7)? The “[d]iagnostic categories outside of autism were assessed only to the degree to which they impact assignment of an autism diagnosis.” (GE 2 at 7)? The evaluation was “not meant to be a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation.” (GE 2 at 7) The report states in “Summary”: [Applicant] meets the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder […] without intellectual/developmental delay or significant language impairment, requiring support at level one. Autism commonly co-occurs with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Often, anxiety and depression develop over time and are related to the stress of masking one’s autism in environments which were not designed for autistic people. Given the targeted nature of this evaluation, a full diagnostic evaluation for psychological conditions was not completed. [Applicant] also endorsed several previous

iagnoses, and it will be important that future intervention take into account her anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, BPD, and depression. (GE 2 at 13) 2 The prosecutor did not pursue charges. 6

The evaluator also noted Applicant’s many strengths, stating “She is resilient, thoughtful, hard working, and insightful into her own experiences. When addressing any areas of concern for [her], it will be important for therapy to be informed by her self- knowledge and build upo

her many assets.” (GE 2 at 14) Applicant denies her diagnosis with BPD and insists that there have been no incidents of impulsive or erratic behavior since 2022, that she takes her mental health seriously, and that her continuous therapy and medication management since 2022 is a testament to her commitment to her mental health. (GE 2) Policies This cas