RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05794 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her fitness assessment (FA) score recorded on 20 Nov 12 be removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS). ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She failed her FA due to the side effects of the medication (Florinef) she was prescribed which caused her to gain weight. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________ ______________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of senior airman (E-4). In accordance with AFI 36-2905, Fitness Program, to determine overall fitness, the Air Force uses an overall composite fitness score and minimum scores per three component areas: Aerobic Fitness (1.5 mile run), Body Composition (abdominal circumference measurement), and Muscular Fitness (number of push-ups and sit- ups completed within one minute each). Military members receive a composite score on a 0 to 100 scale based on the following maximum component scores: 60 points for aerobic, 20 points for body composition, 10 points for push-ups and 10 points for sit- ups. To determine individual composite fitness scores the Air Force uses age and gender specific fitness score charts. Furthermore, Attachment 2, USAF Fitness Scoring, of the AFI indicates that females under age 30 must meet minimum value in each component, and achieve a composite point total greater than 75 points. The passing minimum score for the waist measurement component is 35.5 inches. On 24 Aug 12, an AF Form 469, Duty Limiting Condition Report, was issued which restricted the applicant from performing activities that increased her heart rate and labored breathing unless directed by a licensed medical provider, aerobic/anaerobic activities until 24 Sep 12. She was also restricted from strenuous, high impact/jarring activities until 18 Oct 12. On 14 Nov 12, the applicant was issued an AF Form 422, Notification of Air Force Member’s Qualification Status, with a 20 Nov 12 expiration date, indicating she could participate in the abdominal circumference for fitness testing. It was further noted the applicant could only perform fitness activities by her physician. On 17 Nov 12, the applicant was issued an AF Form 469 with a 20 Nov 12 expiration date, reflecting that she was restricted from participating in strenuous and high impact activities, or standing for longer than 15 minutes per hour. On 20 Nov 12, the applicant participated in the contested FA where her waist was measured as 38.5 inches; as a result, she did not attain a satisfactory score on the overall assessment. The medical note provided by the applicant from the International Heart Institute reflects the applicant underwent a Tilt Test that revealed she had a significant reduction in blood pressure. Her electrocardiogram revealed a slow heart rate. It was noted she may need a pacemaker and prescribed her Florinef. The applicant’s last six FA results are listed below: Date Abdominal Circumference Composite Score Rating 28 Jul 11 36.00 54.10 Unsatisfactory 29 Sep 11 34.00 73.60 Unsatisfactory 29 Nov 11 33.50 86.10 Satisfactory 4 May 12 34.50 75.60 Satisfactory 20 Nov 12 38.50 0.00 Unsatisfactory 22 Feb 13 36.00 72.90 Unsatisfactory ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial indicating that although the applicant was exempt on all components except the waist measurement of the FA, she should have been prepared to be assessed on the nonexempt component of the assessment. Under the provisions of the Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2905, Fitness Program, health care providers will list physical limitations on the AF Form 469. When a service member is unable to participate in fitness activities or a FA for 30 days or more, the service member will follow local policy to obtain an exercise prescription and determination of FA exemption from the Exercise Physiologist (EP)/Fitness Program Manager (FPM). The service member will continue to prepare for and be assessed on nonexempt components of the FA, unless he/she is given a composite exemption. The health care provider will indicate the length of time required for the physical limitations. The expiration date represents the date the service member is medically cleared to resume physical activities that were previously restricted. Service members will be eligible for an FA 42 days after the expiration date of physical limitations, as indicated on the AF Form 469. Even though the member was exempt from all components except the abdominal circumference portion of the FA, she should have been prepared to be assessed on the non-exempt component of the assessment. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 14 Apr 13 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends granting the requested relief indicating the applicant was prescribed a potentially offending medication, Florinef, during two months prior to testing; it, along with other restrictions imposed, cannot be ruled out as contributory cause of her increased abdominal measurement. Since the medication has been discontinued, a four to six month period following cessation of the medication should be sufficient to eliminate Florinef as a cause of future fitness failures related to either weight or abdominal circumference. A complete copy of the Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the AFBMCR Medical Consultant evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 4 Sep 13 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit F). ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. We note the differing opinions of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and the AFBCMR Medical Consultant regarding the contested fitness test. However, we concur with the AFBCMR Medical Consultant and adopt his rationale as the basis for our decision that medication the applicant was taking two months prior to her test could not be ruled out as a contributory factor to her increased waist measurement. Therefore, to preclude the possibility of an injustice to the applicant, we recommend that her records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that her Fitness Assessment, dated 20 November 2012, be removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS) database. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-05794 in Executive Session on 22 Oct 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 7 Dec 12, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 25 Mar 13, w/atch. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Apr 13. Exhibit E. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 3 Sep 13. Exhibit F. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 4 Sep 13. Panel Chair