KEYWORD: Guideline H
DIGEST: Applicant has raised no issue on harmful error.  Our authority to review a case is
limited to those in which a party has raised an issue of harmful error.  Adverse decision affirmed.
CASE NO: 14-06419.a1
DATE: 09/13/2016
DATE: September 13, 2016
In Re:
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Applicant for Security Clearance
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ISCR Case No. 14-06419
APPEAL BOARD SUMMARY DISPOSITION
APPEARANCES
FOR GOVERNMENT
James B. Norman, Esq., Chief Department Counsel
FOR APPLICANT
Pro se
The Department of Defense (DoD) declined to grant Applicant a security clearance.  On July
1, 2015, DoD issued a statement of reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis for that
decision—security concerns raised under Guideline H (Drug Involvement) of Department of
Defense Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended) (Directive).  Applicant requested a decision
on the written record.  On June 30, 2016, after considering the record, Defense Office of Hearings
and Appeals (DOHA) Administrative Judge Philip S. Howe denied Applicant’s request for a security
clearance.  Applicant appealed pursuant to the Directive ¶¶ E3.1.28 and E3.1.30.
Applicant’s appeal brief contains no assertion of harmful error on the part of the Judge. 
Rather, Applicant cites her honesty and regret about her history of marijuana use.  She asks when
she is eligible to reapply for a clearance.
An applicant whose clearance has been finally denied is barred from reapplication for one
year from the date of the initial unfavorable clearance decision.  In this case, that means Applicant
cannot reapply until after June 30, 2017.
The Board does not review a case de novo. The Appeal Board’s authority to review a case
is limited to cases in which the appealing party has alleged the Judge committed harmful error. 
Applicant has not made an allegation of harmful error on the part of the Judge.  Therefore, the
decision of the Judge is AFFIRMED.
Signed: Michael Ra’anan               
Michael Ra’anan
Administrative Judge
Chairperson, Appeal Board
Signed: James E. Moody               
James E. Moody
Administrative Judge
Member, Appeal Board
Signed: James F. Duffy                
James F. Duffy
Administrative Judge
Member, Appeal Board