KEYWORD: Guideline F
DIGEST: 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. Adverse decision affirmed.
CASENO: 16-00759.a1
DATE: 08/22/2017
DATE: August 22, 2017
In Re:
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Applicant for Security Clearance
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ISCR Case No. 16-00759
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
15, 2016, DoD issued a statement of reasons (SOR) advising Applicant of the basis for that
decision—security concerns raised under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) of Department of
Defense Directive 5220.6 (Jan. 2, 1992, as amended) (Directive).  Applicant requested a hearing. 
On June 6, 2017, after the hearing, Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) Administrative
Judge Eric H. Borgstrom denied Applicant’s request for a security clearance.  Applicant appealed
pursuant to 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, it contains a narrative statement explaining why her debts became delinquent and describing
her efforts to resolve them.  She also cites to the effect that a security clearance denial will have on
her.  The Directive does not permit us to consider the impact of an unfavorable decision.  See, e.g.,
ISCR Case No. 14-04202 at 4 (App. Bd. Dec. 24, 2015).  
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. 
Because Applicant has not made an allegation of harmful error on the part of the Judge, the decision
of the Judge is AFFIRMED.
Signed: Michael Ra’anan   
Michael Ra’anan
Administrative Judge
Chairperson, Appeal Board
Signed: William S. Fields    
William S. Fields
Administrative Judge
Member, Appeal Board
Signed: James F. Duffy     
James F. Duffy
Administrative Judge
Member, Appeal Board