RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2002-03965
INDEX CODES: A40.00, 108.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His general discharge be upgraded to honorable; he be awarded a
disability retirement retroactive to Oct 56 for his service-connected
injury/disability (narcolepsy); and, that he be authorized punitive
damages.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His condition of narcolepsy was intentionally caused by his poisoning
by the Air Force. Because of the heinous nature of this crime
committed against him, he has suffered permanent and irreparable
damages to his physical health and economic life for the past 45
years.
In support of his appeal, the applicant provided personal statements,
extracts from his medical records, and other documents associated with
the matter under review.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, are at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant's available military personnel records indicate that he
enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 6 Jun 56 for a period of four
years.
On 17 Jun 58, the applicant was discharged under the provisions of AFR
39-16 (Unsuitability) and furnished a general (under honorable
conditions) discharge. He was credited with 2 years and 12 days of
active service.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The Medical Consultant recommended denial. He stated that the
evidence in the record indicated that the applicant had difficulty
with sleeping in class in Oct 56, however, there were no other service
medical record entries that report symptoms of excessive daytime
sleepiness although the applicant alluded to being disciplined for
reporting late for kitchen police (KP) duty. Post service, and
Veterans Administration (VA) rating decisions in 1958 and 1966 made no
mention of symptoms or diagnosis of sleep disorder, neurologic
disorder or mental disorder. Sleep disorders such as narcolepsy are
chronic conditions, and if noted within the first six months of
service are presumed to have existed prior to service. The applicant
presented for care for his symptoms by four months of service. One
month before presenting to the clinic for sleeping in class, he was
treated for gastroenteritis. There were no further record entries
that showed his symptoms persisted or worsened and the Medical
Consultant concluded that those symptoms resolved consistent with an
infection (usually viral) very common in trainees. There was no
evidence this illness (Sep 56) represented poisoning of any kind.
Following a viral illness, some individuals may experience a period of
fatigue of variable duration.
According to the Medical Consultant, there was no evidence in the
medical records to support the applicant's contentions. In his view,
no change in the records is warranted.
A complete copy of the Medical Consultant's evaluation is at Exhibit
C.
AFPC/DPPD recommended denial indicating that the available
documentation revealed no errors or irregularities that would justify
a change to the applicant's records. The medical aspects of this case
were thoroughly explained in the Medical Consultant's advisory and
they agree with his review. In their view, the applicant failed to
submit any documentation to confirm that he possessed narcolepsy
during his military service that would justify the award of a
disability discharge.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPD evaluation is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to applicant on 18
Apr 03 for review and response (Exhibit E). On 7 May 03, the
applicant requested that his appeal be temporarily withdrawn (Exhibit
F).
Applicant reviewed the advisory opinions and furnished a detailed
response. In summary, he indicated that his records should be
corrected in the interest of justice. He was severely injured with a
permanent disability due to the intentional and malicious conduct of
the Air Force, that then proceeded to cruelly perpetrate further
injuries by a conspiracy to defraud that lasted 46 years, now being
carried out by the VA.
Applicant's complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit H.
Applicant provided a subsequent response, which is at Exhibit I.
_________________________________________________________________
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 error or injustice. The applicant's complete
submission was thoroughly reviewed and his contentions were duly
noted. However, we do not find the applicant’s assertions or the
documentation presented sufficiently persuasive to override the
rationale provided by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility
(OPR). The evidence of record reflects that the applicant was
involuntarily discharged for unsuitability. We find no evidence which
would lead us to believe that his administrative discharge was
improper or contrary to the governing directive under which it was
effected. Therefore, in the absence of sufficient evidence that the
information used as a basis for his discharge was erroneous, or that
at the time of his involuntary separation, the applicant was unfit to
perform the duties of his rank and office, we agree with the
recommendations of the OPRs and adopt their rationale as the basis for
our decision that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of
establishing that he has suffered either an error or an injustice.
Accordingly, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the
relief sought in this application.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and that 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-
2002-03965 in Executive Session on 26 Aug 03, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. John L. Robuck, Panel Chair
Mr. Grover L. Dunn, Member
Ms. Sharon B. Seymour, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Dec 02, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, Medical Consultant, dated 10 Mar 03.
Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPPD, dated 11 Apr 03.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Apr 03.
Exhibit F. Letter, applicant, dated 7 May 03.
Exhibit G. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 23 May 03.
Exhibit H. Letter, applicant, dated 5 Jun 03, w/atchs.
Exhibit I. Letter, applicant, dated 16 Jun 03.
JOHN L. ROBUCK
Panel Chair
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