Search Decisions

Decision Text

AF | BCMR | CY1999 | 9801723
Original file (9801723.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

                       RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  98-01723
            INDEX CODE: 128.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED: YES


_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive retroactive Incentive Special Pay (ISP) in  the  amount  of
$106.000.00.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should have received ISP since he met all the requirements.

The applicant states that he met all the  published  requirements  for
ISP (i.e., completion of initial residency in the specialty, privilege
to the basic standard  of  the  specialty,  a  current  state  medical
license, and engagement  in  the  practice  of  the  specialty  for  a
sufficient time to allow for  the  full  maintenance  of  professional
skills in the specialty).  He notes that he performed  an  average  of
175  outpatient  reconstructive  plastic  surgery  procedures  at  the
Hurlburt clinic for each of the three years he was there.  Although he
was advised that the Air Force Personnel Center  (AFPC)  had  declined
his request for ISP because  ISP  could  be  paid  only  on  a  yearly
contract basis, he  can  find  no  such  requirement  in  the  law  or
regulation.  Since the Air Force  received  three  years  of  valuable
plastic surgery work from him, he should receive ISP for this period.

In support of the appeal, the applicant submits copies of his  plastic
surgery certificate, medical license,  clinical  privileges,  proposed
ISP contract, and redacted copies of patient medical records.

The applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

In 1988, the applicant accepted a scholarship from the Air Force under
the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).  As  a  result,  he
incurred a three-year Active Duty Service Commitment  (ADSC)  and  was
approved for  a  five-year  Ear,  Nose,  and  Throat  (ENT)  residency
commencing in 1990.

In 1993, the applicant resigned from his ENT residency and requested a
transfer to a plastic surgery program at the  University  of  Chicago;
however, his request was denied by AFPC/SG.

On 29 August 1996, the applicant was  awarded  regular  privileges  in
plastic surgery and was eligible for ISP for plastic surgery.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Superintendent, Medical Special Pay Branch, AFPC/DPAMF1,  reviewed
this application and states that the applicant left  an  approved  ENT
residency in 1993 and transferred to a Plastic Surgery program without
approval.  Establishing an obligation for the Air  Force  to  pay  for
credentials  acquired  in  training,  expressly   disapproved,   would
establish an undesired precedent.  It is  vitally  important  the  Air
Force  maintain  control  over   its   graduate   education   program.
Disapproval of Plastic Surgery residency was based on an overage (181%
of budget  authorization)  of  plastic  surgeons  in  the  Air  Force.
Although the applicant met the requirements for practice as a  plastic
surgeon in the civilian community, he failed to  meet  the  Air  Force
requirements  for  plastic  surgery  certification  (i.e.,  five-years
general surgery residency and additional  three-year  plastic  surgery
fellowship).  Therefore, they recommend denial of his request.

A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation  and  states  that  it
fails to discuss the requirements for  ISP  and  whether  he  met  the
requirements.  He believes the pre-service lawsuit  is  irrelevant  to
his appeal.  Furthermore, he contends the purpose of referencing it in
the Air Force evaluation is to divert attention from the main issue.

Applicant's complete response is attached at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Superintendent, Medical Special Pay Branch, AFPC/DPAMF1,  reviewed
this application and states  that  eligibility  for  ISP  for  plastic
surgeons  requires  completion  of  residency,  fellowship  or   board
certification in Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 45SG.  Their previous
advisory  opinion  recommended  denial  of  his  request  because  the
applicant  did  not  meet  the  Air  Force  recognized  criteria   for
completion of a five-year general  surgery  residency  and  three-year
plastics fellowship.  However, the 96th Medical Group Commander  (96th
MDG/CC) reviewed the applicant’s credentials and awarded  him  regular
privileges in plastic surgery on 29 August 1996.  Lack  of  documented
evidence to support residency and fellowship  criteria  and  the  96th
MDG/CC’s decision to award the applicant plastic  surgery  privileges,
resulted in a revision to their original  decision.   Therefore,  they
recommend  the  applicant’s  eligibility  for  ISP  in  AFSC  45SG  be
established at 29 August 1996 which will entitle him to  two  payments
of ISP at the Fiscal Year 1996 (FY96) and FY97 rates of $36,000.00.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit F.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and  states  that  the
evidence shows that he earned three years of ISP, rather than just two
years.  None of the eligibility requirements for ISP include  clinical
privileging.  Yet AFPC has arbitrarily imposed a requirement that  the
ISP he be granted clinical  privileges  in  a  hospital  that  has  an
operating room.  However, they fail to indicate why they believe  that
clinical privileges are  a  requirement.   He  does  not  believe  the
granting of clinical privileges is at issue  here.   He  believes  the
issue is the requirement that he was engaged in the practices  of  the
specialty for a sufficient time to allow for the full  maintenance  of
professional skills in the specialty.

The applicant’s complete response is attached at Exhibit H.

_________________________________________________________________

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 probable error or  injustice.   After  reviewing  the
evidence of record, we are sufficiently persuaded that  the  applicant
is entitled to the Incentive Special Pay (ISP) for three  years.   The
Superintendent, Medical Special Pay  Branch,  in  his  letter  to  the
Board, states that since the 96th  Medical  Group  Commander  reviewed
the applicant's credentials and  awarded  him  regular  privileges  in
Plastic Surgery on 29 august  1996  and  in  the  lack  of  documented
evidence  to  support  residency  and   fellowship,   they   recommend
applicant's eligibility for ISP in AFSC 45SG be established as  of  29
August 1996.  However, based on our review of the evidence  submitted,
it appears that applicant met all requirements for ISP prior  to  that
date.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the  extent
indicated below.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the  Department  of  the  Air  Force
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that  effective  29 August
1996, he was eligible for Incentive Special Pay  (ISP)  in  Air  Force
Specialty Code (AFSC) 45SG and is entitled to three payments of ISP at
the rate of $36,000 for each payment.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the  Board  considered  this  application  in
Executive Session on 8 June 1999, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

             Mr. Oscar A. Goldfarb, Panel Chair
             Mr. Lawrence R. Leehy, Member
         Mr. David E. Hoard, Member
             Mr. Phillip Horton, Examiner (without vote)

All members  voted  to  correct  the  records,  as  recommended.   The
following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 15 Jun 98, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAMF1, dated 1 Jul 98.
   Exhibit D.  Applicant’s Response, dated 17 Sep 98.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, AFPC/DPAMF1, dated 5 Jan 99.
   Exhibit G.  Letters, AFBCMR, dated 18 Jan 99 & 3 Aug 98.
   Exhibit H.  Applicant's Response, dated 12 Feb 99.






                                   OSCAR A. GOLDFARB
                                   Panel Chair


AFBCMR 98-01723




MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

      Having received and considered the  recommendation  of  the  Air
Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority
of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat  116),  it  is
directed that:

      The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to   , be corrected to show that effective 29 August
1996, he was eligible for Incentive Special Pay (ISP) in Air Force
Specialty Code (AFSC) 45SG and is entitled to three payments of ISP at
the rate of $36,000 for each payment.




            JOE G. LINEBERGER
            Director
            Air Force Review Boards Agency


Similar Decisions

  • AF | BCMR | CY1999 | 9801902

    Original file (9801902.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

    He further states being board eligible entitled him to specialty and incentive pays. In his presentation, the applicant claimed he believed he was entitled to receive Special Pay as a flight surgeon and any apparent deceit was merely a result of the confusion that exists Air Force-wide on the subject of Special Pay. Pursuant to an inquiry from the AFBCMR Staff, DFAS-FYCC informally advised that, in addition to the MSP/MISP bonuses, the applicant received the following special...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01648

    Original file (BC 2014 01648.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01648 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He receive his entitlement to Additional Special Pay (ASP) and Incentive Special Pay (ISP), which was not disbursed. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibit C and D. AIR...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-01126

    Original file (BC-2010-01126.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    He was eligible to receive the special pays as of 1 July 2009 since he had completed a fellowship prior to entering active duty. The applicant's complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit F. _________________________________________________________________ ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPAMF1 recommends approval of ASP and ISP payments and state the applicant is eligible to receive ASP effective 1 July 2009 and pro rata Single-Year-ISP from 1 July 2009 to 18 Jan 2010. He...

  • AF | BCMR | CY1999 | 9801482

    Original file (9801482.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    A copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit D. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant and counsel on 14 September 1998 for review and response. c. His request to receive Single Year Incentive Special Pay (ISP) in his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 045A3, was approved by competent authority effective 1 October 1996. d. On 30 September 1997,...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2001 | 0102448

    Original file (0102448.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 01-02448 INDEX NUMBER: 128.06 XXXXXXXXXXXXXX COUNSEL: None XXX-XX-XXXX HEARING DESIRED: Yes _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Applicant requests retroactive payment of Medical Incentive Special Pay (ISP) for the period 1 Oct 00 through 30 Sep 01. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. Insufficient relevant evidence...

  • AF | BCMR | CY1999 | 9802433

    Original file (9802433.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

    There are no provisions for pro-rating ASP/ISP for active duty Air Force physicians facing mandatory separation. Counsel submitted a response and states that although applicant was given a separation date of 30 September 1997, he was extended for medical reasons until 31 December 1997 and that during this time he performed the same duties he had been performing when he previously received both ASP and ISP payments. Applicant received a letter, dated 10 February 1997, which indicated that...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003091043C070212

    Original file (2003091043C070212.rtf) Auto-classification: Approved

    The applicant requests that his records be corrected to show that he renegotiated his Incentive Special Pay (ISP) effective 1 July 2002. The Board accepts that he was not informed of his eligibility to renegotiate his ISP in a timely manner. Therefore, it would be appropriate to have his records corrected to show that he renegotiated his ISP on 1 July 2002.

  • AF | BCMR | CY2002 | BC-2002-01487

    Original file (BC-2002-01487.DOC) Auto-classification: Approved

    The findings and recommendations of a Medical Practice Review Board (MPRB) restricting her from practicing Emergency Room (ER) medicine be removed from her records. She saw 1,151 patients in the 8 months that she practiced as an ER provider. The commander of the medical facility at Keesler AFB made a report to her commander at ---- AFB that all the Air Force physicians at Keesler AFB who observed her actions recommended that she not be returned to duty in an ER but that she would be quite...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 00204

    Original file (BC 2014 00204.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant was eligible for NC ISP for FY 12, however, since she filed her contract more than three months after her effective date, the contract would not have been timely submitted and would not have been processed by AFPC Medical Special Pays with the requested effective date. Based on the permanent revocation of her clinical nursing practice she is not eligible for medical special pays to include the FY 13 NC ISP. The applicant contends her FY 12 ISP contract was properly...

  • AF | BCMR | CY1999 | 9800916

    Original file (9800916.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Neither her Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (AFHPSP) contract nor the AFI states that her Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) ADSC could not be served during an active duty military residency. A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit G. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL...