(a) The Secretary of the Military Department concerned will approve or disapprove the DARB's recommended action to upgrade or partially upgrade the characterization of a discharge or dismissal within 90 calendar days. The Secretary of the Military Department must approve the DARB's recommended action unless the Secretary finds that the recommendation is not supported by the preponderance of the evidence.

(b) If the DARB recommends to deny an upgrade to the characterization of a discharge or dismissal and upholds the Military Department's BCM/NR decision, the DARB will notify the petitioner in writing of its final decision. If the DARB recommends to upgrade or partially upgrade the characterization of a discharge or dismissal, the Secretary of the Military Department concerned will notify the petitioner in writing of its final decision.

(1) If the Secretary of the Military Department approves the DARB recommendation, the petitioner will be notified of the approved change and any change to the characterization of a discharge or dismissal will be effective as of the date of discharge.

(2) If the Secretary of the Military Department disapproves the DARB recommendation, the Secretary concerned must provide the petitioner a written explanation detailing its rationale for disapproving the DARB's recommendation.

(c) The Secretaries of the Military Departments may delegate, in writing, the authority to act on DARB recommendations to a PAS official but further re-delegation is not authorized.

(d) The Secretary's or designee's action will be the final action. The petitioner has no right to a further review or to appeal this decision.