RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01358
INDEX CODE: 110.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her uncharacterized separation be changed to an honorable separation.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
She passed her physical at MEPS. MEPS didn’t find anything wrong with
her feet. She experienced some problems physically while in basic
training. She was put on medical hold on 15 September 2003 and
diagnosed with grade three stress fractures in the right tibia of her
right leg and shin splints and stress changes in her left leg. The
doctor put her on crutches. She was on medical hold for about 4
months and 18 days. In October, the physician recommended her for
convalescent leave and her commander approved her for convalescent
leave from 10 October to 8 November so the stress fractures in her
legs would heal. When she came back from convalescent leave she was
placed in the Get Fit Program to get fit to go back to training and
she started experiencing pain in her left leg. She could not go back
to training. She stayed on medical hold until her left leg healed.
She also started experiencing pain or burning in the arches of her
feet while standing or walking especially for long periods of time
with or without the arch support in her feet. The podiatrist told her
that she had a pulled tendon in the arch of her left foot and that the
alignment was off in both her legs and feet. The physician diagnosed
her with pes planus or flat feet. He recommended she be discharged
because of her condition and the fact that it was giving her problems.
The physician also told her that it is possible for stress fractures
to come back from running. She believes her arches had fallen because
of the running and some physical activity in basic training.
In support of the appeal, applicant submits a personal statement, her
report of medical history (copies of her medical paperwork when she
took her physical exam at MEPS before she was enlisted), the
chronological record of medical care document, her convalescent leave
documents, the record of comments she received when she was on medical
hold, a copy of her DD Form 214, and a copy of her separation orders.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 12 August 2003 for a
period of four (4) years.
On 10 November 2003 she was entered into a low impact physical
training program designed to gradually increase her fitness level so
that she could complete the physical fitness requirements. Recurrent
pain prompted removal from all physical conditioning activities on 10
December 2003 due to persistent leg and bilateral foot pain. Podiatry
evaluation on 9 January 2004 diagnosed bilateral flat feet (pes
planus) and bilateral plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the fibrous
band of ligamentous tissue on the bottoms of the feet caused by flat
feet and running). On gait analysis, the podiatrist noted abnormal
motion including late mid-stance pronation (internal rotation of the
foot) and inward twisting. On follow up in the Trainee Clinic on
22 January 2004, the applicant continued to report pain when standing
and stairs despite no physical training since 10 December 2003 and
entry level separation was initiated. The applicant waived her rights
to counsel and to submit statements. The recommendation for her
separation was approved on 27 January 2004.
Applicant was separated from the Air Force on 29 January 2004 under
the provisions of AFI 36-3208, Failed Medical/Physical Procurement
Standards, with an uncharacterized entry-level separation. She served
5 months and 18 days on active duty.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The BCMR Medical Consultant states the applicant was administratively
discharged with an entry level separation for failing to meet
medical/physical procurement standards due to pes planus that existed
prior to service and associated leg pain related to tibial stress
fracture and foot pain due to plantar fasciitis.
Pes planus is a developmental condition that predisposed to overuse
syndromes that occur with vigorous activity, in particular running,
including tendonitis, plantar fascfiitis, shin splints, tibial stress
fractures and anterior knee pain due to patello-femoral syndrome. In
particular, the excessive pronation and attendant abnormalities in
alignment seen in pes planus is the biomechanical abnormality
associated with these overuse syndromes. The applicant contends that
since her flat feet were not noted on her enlistment exam, it was
acquired during basic training. Pes planus is a common developmental
condition that may or may not result in secondary overuse syndromes
noted above. A flat foot deformity can be acquired in a previously
normal foot as a result of severe trauma or destructive chronic
diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis that produce a complete rupture
of the posterior tibial tendon, or a severe peripheral neuropathy.
These would have been apparent and reported as such by the examining
podiatrist. The preponderance of the evidence clearly supports a
conclusion that the applicant’s pes planus is developmental and not
acquired in nature. Tibial stress fractures in normal individuals
heal with cessation of the inciting activity.
Airmen are in entry-level status during the first 180 days of
continuous active military service and if administratively separated
during this period receive an entry-level separation. This discharge
does not attempt to characterize the type of service as either good or
bad. An honorable characterization may be given by the Secretary of
the Air Force when it is clearly warranted by unusual circumstances of
personal conduct and performance of military duty.
Action and disposition in this case are proper and equitable
reflecting compliance with Air Force directives that implement the
law. The BCMR Medical Consultant is of the opinion that no change in
the records is warranted.
A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 4 January 2005, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to
the applicant for review and response within 30 days. 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the
applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case. We
note airmen are in entry-level status during the first 180 days of
continuous active military service and if administratively separated
during this period receive an entry-level separation. Therefore, we
agree with the opinion and recommendation of the BCMR Medical
Consultant and adopt his rationale as the basis for the conclusion
that no change in the records is warranted. Therefore, in the absence
of evidence to the contrary, 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 this application in
Executive Session on 9 February 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Roscoe Hinton JR., Panel Chair
Ms. Ann-Cecile M. McDermott, Member
Mr. Michael V. Barbino, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 May 04, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 20 Dec 04.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Jan 05.
ROSCOE HINTON JR.
Panel Chair
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