RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02195 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her DD Form 214, Certificate of Discharge or Release from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect the following: 1. Her narrative reason for separation be changed from Disability Existed Prior to Service to Disability Incurred While in Service. 2. Her characterization be changed from uncharacterized to honorable. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Her DD Form 214 erroneously states the disability for which she was discharged existed prior to service. She never informed any physician that these conditions existed prior to her enlistment. Her disabilities were rated service connected by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and she is being denied DVA educational benefits because of the incorrect information listed on her DD Form 214. In support of her appeal, the applicant provides a copy of her DD Form 214, a copy of her entry exam and her VA rating. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Air Force on 1 August 2006. According to the documentation provided by the applicant, she presented for medical care on 18 August 2006 with complaints of right ankle pain where she was treated and returned to basic military training. On 13 September 2006, she was taken out of training and placed on medical hold. On 21 September 2006, a bone scan revealed stress fractures of the left pelvis and bilateral feet. It was determined that she required a Medical Evaluation Board for her injuries. According to HQ AFPC/DPSDD, the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB) reviewed the case and determined the applicant’s conditions were unfitting for continued military service. They also determined the conditions existed prior to service. The applicant was notified and concurred with the decision of the IPEB on or about 2 November 2006. The applicant was discharged on 8 November 2006. Her service was uncharacterized and her narrative reason for separation was listed as Disability Existed Prior to Service. She was credited with serving 3 months and 8 days on active duty. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSDD recommends denial. The documentation provided by the applicant is inadequate to perform a comprehensive review. On 20 June 2011, DPSDD contacted the applicant and requested she provide the AF-356, Findings and Recommended Disposition of USAF Physical Evaluation Board, as well as the second page of the narrative summary. As of 20 July 2011, DPSDD had not received the additional documentation. The applicant has not provided evidence to support her contention that an error or injustice occurred during the disability process. The complete DPSDD evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSIT does not provide a recommendation. Participation in the Montgomery GI Bill, for individuals released from active duty, requires an honorable discharge. Changing the applicant’s character of service to honorable will have an impact on her educational benefits. The complete DPSIT evaluation is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 16 September 2011, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no response. ________________________________________________________________ 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we find no evidence of an error or injustice that occurred during the discharge process. Based on the available evidence of record, it appears the discharge was consistent with the substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and within the commander's discretionary authority. The applicant has provided no evidence, which would lead us to believe the characterization of the service was contrary to the provisions of the governing regulation, or unduly harsh. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis upon which to recommend granting the relief sought. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-02195 in Executive Session on 10 November 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC-2011-02195 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 May 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSDD, dated 20 Jul 11. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIT, dated 29 Aug 11. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Sep 11. Panel Chair