RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00435 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect he served in Vietnam. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was stationed at Tan Son Nuht AFB, Vietnam for two months. His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, reflects he was in Vietnam. He needs documentation showing he was in-country in order for his disability to be rated as combat related. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant’s performance reports reflect he was assigned to the 432nd TRW, Udorn TAFB, Thailand from 17 Aug 72 to 26 Aug 73. The remarks section on the applicant’s DD Form 214, dated 7 Aug 73 reflects Indochina-Yes, Vietnam-Yes, and Korea No. On 31 Jan 91, the applicant was honorably released from active duty and was credited with 20 years, 6 months, and 24 days of active service, to include 5 years, 10 months, and 10 days of foreign service. His DD Form 214 reflects he received the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVCM). On 14 Jan 13, AFPC/DPFDC informed the applicant that while they don’t dispute that he served in Vietnam, a thorough review of his records failed to reveal any documentation that could be used to establish the dates of his service in Vietnam for the purposes of determining whether he is entitled to combat related special compensation (CRSC). ? The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility, which is attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAPP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The applicant contends he served for two months in Vietnam prior to his service in Thailand. DPAP confirmed the applicant’s boots on ground in Thailand, but was unable to confirm any service in Vietnam. A review of the applicant’s military personnel records failed to substantiate he served in Vietnam. There is insufficient documentation to support the applicant’s request. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He was stationed at Myrtle Beach AFB when he received orders for Vietnam. Upon arrival it was determined that he should have not been sent to Vietnam and would have to be reassigned. It took two months before he received his orders for reassignment. He has many witnesses that new he was sent to Vietnam. The Department of Veterans Affairs has verified he was in Vietnam. The Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ 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 an error or injustice. While the applicant is requesting his records be corrected to reflect that he served in Vietnam, a thorough review of his records already indicates such service. In this respect, we note that the remarks section of his DD Form 214, dated 7 Aug 73, indicates he served in Vietnam. It appears as though the applicant is seeking correction of his records in order to support his claim that his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) be determined to be combat related and therefore entitle him to compensation under the combat related special compensation program (CRSC). It appears as though his CRSC claim has been denied, not because the applicant’s records do not indicate he served in Vietnam, but because the applicant was unable to substantiate the dates he served in Vietnam. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we are also unable to determine with any certainty when the applicant served in Vietnam. Therefore, unless and until the applicant provides any documentary evidence that would help us ascertain the dates of his service in Vietnam (copies of orders, correspondence, photographs, etc.), we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2013-00435 in Executive Session on 21 Nov 13, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 Jan 13, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAPP, dated 21 Feb 13. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Mar 13. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 4 Mar 13. Panel Chair