RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00680 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

1. His diagnosis be changed to “Chloracne” rather than “Acne 
Vulgaris.” 

 

2. His documents that reflect service in “Vietnam” be changed to 
“Gulfport, MS.” 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He was misdiagnosed in Jun 77 with having “Acne Vulgaris.” 
However, because of his exposure to Agent Orange, while serving 
in Gulfport, MS, he believes his skin problem should have been 
diagnosed as “Chloracne.” 

 

He did not serve in Vietnam; but, was exposed to Agent Orange 
while serving on an incineration ship responsible for disposing 
of Agent Orange. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement and extracts from his Department of Veterans Affairs 
(DVA) rating decision and his service medical records. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from 
the applicant’s military records, are contained in the letter 
prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFMOA/SGAT recommends denial of the applicant’s request to have 
his diagnosis changed to “Chloracne.” The available medical 
documents support a diagnosis of Acne Vulgaris. 


 

Additionally, they recommend approval of the applicant’s request 
to have the word "Vietnam" replaced with "Gulfport, Mississippi" 
on the Standard Form (SF) 600, Chronological Record of Medical 
Care, dated 4 Apr 86. The SF 600, dated 6 Jun 1977, specifically 
states that the applicant was "handling an herbicide at Gulfport 
Seabee Base." Additionally, the Air Force Commendation Medal 
(AFCM) citation supports the applicant's claim that he was 
exposed to the "herbicide orange" while performing duties at the 
Naval Construction Battalion in Gulfport, Mississippi. 

 

The complete AFMOA/SGAT evaluation, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 26 Aug 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this 
date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

 

1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing 
law or regulations. 

 

2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 

 

3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice to warrant 
corrective action in regard to changing the SF 600, dated 
4 Apr 86. The Air Force office of primary responsibility has 
adequately addressed the issues presented by the applicant and we 
are in agreement with its opinion and recommendation. Therefore, 
we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to the extent 
indicated below. 

 

4. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice in regard to the 
applicant’s request to change his diagnosis to “Chloracne” rather 
than “Acne Vulgaris.”. We took notice of the applicant's 
complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, 
we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force 
office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the 
basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the 
victim of an error or injustice regarding this issue. 
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we 
recommend this portion of the relief sought be denied. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 


 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the 
Standard Form 600, Chronological Record of Medical Care, entry 
dated 4 April 1986, be amended to reflect “was exposed to Agent 
Orange in Gulfport, MS” rather than “in Vietnam.” 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-00680 in Executive Session on 25 October 2011, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 14 Feb 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFMOA/SGAT, dated 2 Aug 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Aug 11. 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair