RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02793

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her records be corrected to reflect she was medically retired instead of honorably discharged.  


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She experienced episodes of dizziness and a suspected stroke, which resulted in hospitalization.  When she was released from the hospital she was advised that she was not ready to come back to work and would need to have a separation physical.  Upon her arrival for the separation physical, the doctor indicated that she had been in the hospital for a month due to vertigo and had a heart murmur.  He further advised her that he would not approve her for another four years of military service.  She was totally puzzled about the separation physical and did not understand what was going on.  

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Air National Guard (ANG) on 29 December 1982 as a prior service member.  

On 9 September 1983, the applicant was relieved from assignment and transferred to HQ ARPC/NARS (Non-affiliated Reserve Section).  

On 28 December 1988, the applicant was relieved from HQ ARPC/NARS and honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve.  

According to Standard Form 507, Clinical Record, undated, a report of the applicant indicates, “Vertigo, Sep 1981, secondary to infections left ear; hospitalized 31 days; adequately treated, full recovery, no recurrence.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by BCMR Medical Consultant, which is attached at Exhibit C.  


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial.  While the applicant contends experiencing dizziness, it appears her vertigo was successfully treated and did not warrant a medical hold for processing through the military Disability Evaluation System (DES).  In order to consider a service member for a medical retirement there must be evidence of an existing disqualifying medical condition that interfered with the service member’s ability to perform military service to the extent and duration that rendered the individual non-worldwide qualified and warranted referral for a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB).  This would have been identified through restrictions to duty as documented on an AF Form 422, Serial Physical Profile Report, initiated by the treating health care provider.  No such medical evidence is supplied that indicates the applicant’s experiences resulted in permanent restrictions to duty; albeit implied to be the reason she was implicitly denied re-enlistment.  It is of the Consultant’s opinion that even if the applicant had undergone a MEB for her, then, “controlled” vertigo; her condition would have fallen short of the requisite disability rating to support a medical retirement. 

A complete copy of the BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit C.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 27 February 2015 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.


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.  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 BCMR Medical Consultant and adopt his rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.


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-2014-02793 in Executive Session on 28 April 2015 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 July 2014, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 6 February 2015.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 February 2015.