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AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

IN THE MATTER OF: 

DOCKET NUMBER:  97-02989 

HEARING DESIRED:  YES 

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Applicant requests that his entry level separation be changed to 
a medical  discharge, and his narrative reason for separarion be 
changed to  "Injury Occurred  in the Line of Duty."  Applicant's 
submission is at Exhibit A. 

The appropriate Air  Force off ices evaluated applicant s request+ 
and  provided  advisory  opinions  to  the  Board  recommending  the, 
application be  denied  (Exhibit .C) .  The  advisory opinions were 
forwarded to  the  applicant  and  counsel for review and  response 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office. 

After  careful  consideration  of  applicant's  request  and  the 
available  evidence  of  record, we  find  insufficient  evidence of 
error or injustice to warrant corrective action.  The facts and 
opinions  stated  in the advisory opinions appear to be  based  on 
the evidence of record and have not been rebutted by applicant. 
Absent persuasive evidence applicant was denied  rights to which 
entitled,  appropriate  regulations  were  not  followed,  or 
appropriate  standards  were  not  applied,  we  find  no  basis  to 
disturb the existing record. 

Accordingly, applicant's request is denied. 

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  issues  involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. 

The Board staff is directed to inform applicant of this decision. 
Applicant should also be informed that this decision is final and 
will only be  reconsidered upon the presentation of new relevant 
evidence  which  was  not  reasonably  available  at  the  time  the 
application was filed. 

Members of the Board Mr. Wayne R. Gracie, Ms. Rita S. Looney, and 
Ms. Ann  L.  Heidig  considered this  application on  28 May  98  in 
accordance with the provisions of Air  Force  Instruction 36-2603 
and the governing statute, 10 U.S.C. 1552. 

WAYNE 
Panel Chair 

Exhibits : 
A.  Applicant's DD Form 149 
B.  Available Master Personnel Records 
C.  Advisory Opinions 
D.  SAF/MIBR Ltr Forwarding Advisory Opinions 

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22 January 1998 
9 7 - 0 2 9 8 9 

MEMORANDUM FOR AFBCMR 

FROM:  BCMR Medical Consultant 

1535 Command Drive, EE Wing, 3rd Floor 
Andrews AFB WID  20762-7002 

SUBJECT:  Application for Correction of Military Records 

Applicant's entire case file has been reviewed and is forwarded with the following findings, 

conclusions and recommendations. 

REQUESTED ACTION: The applicant received an entry-level separation on 25 March 1997 

after I month and 21 days in basic training.  He applies for a medical discharge based on his 
allegation that he suffered an injury on active duty that warrants compensation or 
reinstatement . 

FACTS:  The applicant suffered mild trauma to the bridge of his nose when he hit it on a 

bed frame on 14 February 1997, 9 days after entering basic training.  He was seen, thereafter, 
for coincidental severe, generalized headaches and evaluated by radiologic scanning which 
showed only mild evidence of sinusitis, a problem not felt to be the cause of his headaches. 
Further evaluation by ENT specialists offered no relationship between the mild and treated 
sinusitis and the seventy of his reported headaches.  Finally, on 25 February 1997, he was 
seen by neurology who elicited a history of the applicant having severe and recurring 
headaches from the age of 12 on, and he was placed in the separation track for a condition that 
preexisted his entry on active duty.  A Medical Board reviewed his history and recommended 
separation with an EPTS condition, a decision he concurred with as noted by his signature on 
AF Form 1180 dated 17 March 1997. 

Subsequent follow-up in the civilian sector after his release confirmed the presence of 

sinusitis which, with continued treatment, resolved by the time he had a final scan done in June. 
The comments made by the applicant's civilian physician address only the sinusitis and not his 
past history of severe headaches uncovered by the physician at Lackland AFB 4 months pior. 
The comments, therefore, do not refute the fact of his preexisting problem. 

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AFBCMR Case # 97432989 

DISCUSSION:  lt'k  clear from review of records that the applicant suffered from preexisting 

migraine or migraine-like headaches when he developed the one that led to his entry level 
separation.  Competent medical authority established the correct medical history and 
separation actions were subsequently properly conducted.  Because the applicant had less 
than 6 months of active duty, he was not entitled to separation pay and received none at the 
time of his release.  Actions in this case were proper and followed Air Force directives that 
implement the law.  No error or injustice occurred in this case which would warrant a change in 
the reason for his separation. 

RECOMMENDATION: The BCMR Medical  Consultant is of the opinion that no change in 

the records is warranted and the application shpuld be denied. 

/ 

KEDERICK 
Chief Medical Consultant, AFBCMR 
Medical Advisor SAF Personnel Council 

w. HORNICK, coi., USAF, MC, FS 

9702989 
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DEPARTMENT OF THE AlR FORCE 

HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE PERSONNEL CENTER 

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS 

24 Feb 98 

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HQ AFPCDPPD 
550 C Street West Ste 06 
Radolph AFB TX 78150-4708 

MEMORANDUM FOR AFBCMR 

FROM: 

SUBJECT:  Application for Correction of Military Records 7 

REQUESTED ACTION:  Applicant requests that his entry level separation 

(Uncharacterized) be changed to a disability discharge. 

FACTS:  Applicant was involuntarily separated fiom the Air Force on 25 Mar 97 for 
physical disability under the provisions of AFI 36-3212.  Member completed one month and 
twenty-one days of active duty on his initial enfistment.  Shortly after entering active duty, he 
was diagnosed for migraine headaches, a condition that was determined to have existed prior tu 
his entry into military service.  , 

DISCUSSION:  The purpose of the military disability system is to maintain a fit and vital 
force by separating members who are unable to perform the duties of their grade, office, rank or 
rating.  Members who are separated or retired for reason of physical disability may be eligible, if 
otherwise qualified, for certain disability compensations. EIigibility for disability processing is 
established by a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) when that board finds that the member may 
not be qualified for continued military service.  The decision to conduct an MEB is made by the 
medical treatment facility providing care to the member. 

An MEB on the applicant was convened at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, 

Texas on 27 Feb 97 and referred to the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB).  On 
12 Mar 97, the IPEB found the member d i t  for continued military service for "common 
migraine headaches, Existed Prior to Service (EPTS) without service aggravation" and 
recommended he be discharged under other than Chapter 61, 10 USC (EPTS).  Applicant agreed 
with the findings and recommendations of the IPEB on 17 Mar 97.  Subsequently, officials 
within the Ofice of the Secretary of the Air Force directed the applicant be discharged under 
other than Chapter 61,lO USC (EPTS).  Separation was effective on  25 Mar 97. 

A thorough review of the AFBCMR file revealed no errors or irregularities in the 

processing of the applicant's case within the disability evaluation system.  He was appropriately 
found unfit for continued military service and properly rated under federal disability rating 

9702989 

I; 

guidelines.  The medical aspects of this case are fully explained by the Medical Consultant; we 
agree with his advisory. 

RECOMMENDATION: We recommend denid of the applicant's request.  The applicant 

has not submitted any material or documentation to show he was inappropriately rated or 
processed under the military disability evaluation system at the time of his discharge from active 
duty. 

DORIS L. ROMERO, DAF'C, GS-11 
Chief, Disability Operations Branch 
Physical Disability Division 
Directorate of Pers Prog Management 

I 

9702989 
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