RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-01096
            INDEX CODE:  110.00

      APPLICANT  COUNSEL:  None

      SSN   HEARING DESIRED: No

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His reenlistment code be changed to allow him  to  re-enlist  the  Air
Force.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His diagnosis of exercised induced asthma was erroneous.

Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 27 December 1997, the applicant enlisted in the Regular  Air  Force
as an airman basic for a  period  of  four  years.   He  served  as  a
Aircraft Structural Maintenance Journeyman.

The applicant, in 1999, experienced a variety of ailments  to  include
neck  and  back  pain,  headaches  and  light-headedness   that   were
aggravated by wearing the protective equipment he was required to wear
for his job.  The applicant was  diagnosed  as  having  a  degenerated
intervertebral disc in his neck.

An  occupational  respirator  medical  evaluation  was  conducted   on
2 November 1999 and it was noted that the applicant had not been using
the  protective  equipment  for  one  month  and  his  symptoms   were
resolving.  The applicant also reported that the ventilation system at
work  was  not  functioning  properly.   During  the  evaluation   the
applicant stated he experienced shortness of breath while he wore  the
protective  respirator  equipment  in  the  Spring  of  1999   without
recurrence.  The applicant also  experienced  a  cough  when  running,
shortness of breath going up the stairs out of proportion to his young
age and prior level of fitness.  The  applicant’s  pulmonary  function
tests that were conducted in  September  1998  and  August  1999  were
compared and
revealed a mild reduction in the applicant’s lung capacity.  Based  on
the symptoms the  applicant  was  experiencing  he  was  referred  for
exercise testing to  evaluate  him  for  asthma.   The  exercise  test
revealed a 13 percent reduction in his  one-second  forced  expiratory
volume which resolved with treatment with inhaled medication  used  to
reverse bronchospasm.  He was diagnosed  with  mild  exercise  induced
asthma.  On 7 December 1999, the applicant was  restricted  from  duty
that  required  him  to  use  the  respirator  on  the  basis  of  his
respiratory condition.  A medical evaluation board (MEB) was  convened
on 8 December 1999.  The MEB referred him to the  Physical  Evaluation
Board (PEB).  The PEB found the applicant’s condition to be  unfitting
for continued service and disability retired the applicant with  a  10
percent  disability  rating  (discharge  with  severance  pay).    The
applicant agreed with the findings of the PEB.

Applicant was honorably discharged on 6 March 2000, with severance pay
with a disability rating of 10 percent.   He  served  two  years,  two
months and eight days of active service.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Chief Medical Consultant, AFBCMR, states  the  Air  Force  medical
standards regarding asthma are very strict, and even mild asthma is  a
disqualifying condition for continued service, even  if  it  does  not
directly  interfere  with  the  individuals  work  performance.    The
military’s  experience  with  asthma  has  been  that  it  limits  the
individual’s ability for deployment and overseas  assignments  due  to
the  problems  with  disease  flare  ups  when  in   an   uncontrolled
environment.  In  addition  to  being  diagnosed  with  mild  exercise
induced bronchospasm, he was also diagnosed with degeneration  of  one
of the intervertebral discs in his neck.  A condition, such  as  this,
with frequent absences from work, is deemed an unfitting condition for
continued active service.

The applicant contends that he does not have exercise induced  asthma.
He has provided documentation from  a  civilian  pulmonary  specialist
that supports his contention.  The Medical Consultant further states a
more detailed review of the applicant’s case found that his  diagnosis
was based on the exercise test.  The Air  Force  pulmonary  specialist
reviewed the test and interpreted it as negative, thus, confirming the
impression of the civilian specialist’s  that  there  were  additional
technical problems  limiting  the  validity  of  the  test.   With  an
equivocal exercise  test,  many  lung  specialists  recommend  a  more
specific test such as the methacholine challenge test (or a  histamine
challenge test).  This was not done in the applicant’s case.   Another
consideration is whether the applicant was exposed to noxious fumes at
work as a result of the faulty ventilation system at  work.   However,
no evidence was presented showing whether or not
the applicant’s work environment had been evaluated  for  exposure  of
fumes from a faulty ventilation system.

The  Medical  Consultant  further  states  it  appears  there  was  an
insufficient  evaluation  to  properly  diagnose  asthma  or  exercise
induced asthma, and the MEB  process  proceeded  with  incomplete  and
inaccurate information.  It is likely  the  applicant  does  not  have
asthma and his respiratory symptoms at the time may have been  related
to occupational exposures.

The Medical Consultant recommends the applicant’s request to have  his
RE code changed be reconsidered and granted.  The  Medical  Consultant
further recommends the applicant undergo a pulmonary evaluation with a
methacholine challenge test  (or  histamine  challenge  test)  and  an
orthopedic evaluation of his spine.  Furthermore, if the  reenlistment
RE code upgrade is  granted,  the  applicant  must  meet  all  medical
standards for reenlistment.

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

HQ AETC/SGPS reviewed  the  applicant’s  request  and  recommends  the
applicant, at his expense, obtain a full  methacoline  challenge  test
and if the result is negative, a waiver to re-enter active  duty  will
be considered.  However,  if  the  test  is  in  anyway  positive  the
previous medical disqualification will be sustained (Exhibit D).

HQ AFPC/DPPAE, also reviewed the application and states the  applicant
was separated with an RE code of 2Q, “Personnel medically  retired  or
discharged.” They  further  state  that  based  on  the  BCMR  Medical
Consultant’s evaluation, they  concur  that  the  RE  code  should  be
changed.  They recommend the applicant’s RE code be changed to a “3K.”

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

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on
10 January 2003, for  review  and  response.   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 timely filed.

3.    Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to  demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice to warrant partial  relief.   The
AFBCMR  Medical  Consultant  indicates  he  believes  there  was   an
insufficient evaluation of  the  applicant’s  condition  to  properly
diagnose asthma or exercise induced asthma  and,  as  such,  the  MEB
process proceeded with incomplete and  inaccurate  information.   The
Medical Consultant believes that it is likely the applicant does  not
have asthma and his respiratory symptoms during  the  contested  time
period may have been related to occupational exposures in his job  as
an aircraft structural maintenance journeyman.  However, based on the
available evidence we cannot determine with any degree  of  certainty
whether the applicant’s present medical condition may or may  not  be
unfitting.  Therefore, while we note the recommendations of both  the
Medical Consultant and the office of primary responsibility to change
the applicant’s RE code, we are reluctant to grant an  RE  code  that
allows reenlistment when the applicant may prove  to  be  unfit.   We
believe the most  appropriate  action  at  this  point  is  that  the
applicant  undergo  a  complete  medical  assessment,  to  include  a
pulmonary evaluation with full methacholine  challenge  or  histamine
challenge test and a full  orthopedic  evaluation  to  ascertain  the
underlying cause of his neck  and  back  pain.   Invitational  orders
should be issued allowing the applicant to be medically evaluated  at
Wilford Hall Medical Center to  determine  if  he  is  able  to  meet
military service medical requirements.  This will also afford him the
opportunity  to  demonstrate  or  provide  evidence  of  his  alleged
fitness.  The medical determination as to whether or not  he  is  fit
for military duty will then be forwarded  to  this  Board  for  final
consideration.  We therefore recommend  the  applicant’s  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  invitational  orders
be issued authorizing travel via aeromedical airlift to  Wilford  Hall
USAF Medical Center, Texas, within 120 days of this decision  for  the
purpose of evaluation of his medical condition, to include a pulmonary
evaluation with methacholine challenge or histamine challenge testing,
and an orthopedic evaluation of his spine, and that the results of the
evaluation be forwarded to the  Air  Force  Board  for  Correction  of
Military  Records  at  the  earliest  practicable  date  so  that  all
necessary and appropriate actions may be completed.

It is further directed that the charges for the physical  examination
be waived.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2002-01096 in Executive Session on 25 March 2003, under the provisions
of AFI 36-2603:

                 Mr. Robert S. Boyd, Panel Chair
                 Ms. Ann-Cecile McDermott
                 Mr. James A. Wolffe, Member

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

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 Feb 02, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated
               13 May 02.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AETC/SGPS, dated 24 Sep 02.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPAE, dated 2 Jan 03.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Jan 03.




                             ROBERT S. BOYD
                             Panel Chair







AFBCMR BC-2002-01096



MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

      Having reviewed and considered the recommendation of the Air
Force Board for Correction for 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 APPLICANT, SSN, be corrected to show that
invitational orders be issued authorizing travel via aeromedical
airlift to Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Texas, within 120 days of
this decision for the purpose of evaluation of his medical condition,
to include a pulmonary evaluation with methacholine challenge or
histamine challenge testing, and an orthopedic evaluation of his
spine, and that the results of the evaluation be forwarded to the Air
Force Board for Correction of Military Records at the earliest
practicable date so that all necessary and appropriate actions may be
completed.

      It is further directed that the charges for the physical
examination be, and hereby are, waived.




                             JOE G. LINEBERGER
                             Director
                             Air Force Review Boards Agency