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AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2004-01768
Original file (BC-2004-01768.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-01768
            INDEX NUMBER: 100.00

      XXXXXXX    COUNSEL:  NONE

      XXXXXXX    HEARING DESIRED:  YES

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  7 DEC 05

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records be corrected to show that he was retired by reason  of  physical
disability in the grade of master sergeant (E-7).

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He  should  have  been  medically  retired   since   his   service-connected
disability interferes with his ability to obtain civilian employment.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits extracts from his Department  of
Veterans Affairs (DVA)  records,  to  include  a  17 January  1992  Veterans
Administration (VA) rating decision.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force  on  15
January 1963.  He was released from active  duty  in  the  grade  of  airman
first class (E-4) on  13 January  1967,  and  transferred  to  the  inactive
Reserve, after serving 3 years, 11 months, and 29 days of active  duty.   On
31 August 1979, he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in the  grade  of  E-4.
He was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve on 9  February  1987,
in the grade of master sergeant (E-7), for expiration  of  term  of  service
(ETS).  He completed  11  years,  5  months,  and  7  days  of  satisfactory
service.

On 17 January 1992, the DVA awarded him a  combined  compensable  disability
rating of 30% for low back strain with herniated  pulposus,  post  operative
laminectomy at L-5-S1, sinusitis,  allergic  rhinitis,  atopic  asthma,  and
healed fracture of right ankle.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant is of the opinion that no change in the  records
is  warranted.   The  BCMR  Medical  Consultant  states,   in   part,   that
applicant’s service medical records for the period 1963  through  1967  show
that his medical conditions did not interfere with  military  duty  and  did
not warrant referral into the disability evaluation  system.   In  addition,
his  service  medical  records  and  DVA  records  contain  no  evidence  of
aggravation  of  his  medical  conditions  by  military  service.   To   the
contrary, he received a superior  enlisted  performance  report  (EPR)  five
months prior to his discharge from the Reserve.  The DVA  operates  under  a
totally separate system with a different statutory  basis.   The  DVA  rates
for any and all service-connected conditions, to the degree  they  interfere
with future employability, without consideration of fitness.   Whereas,  the
Air Force rates a member's disability based on the  degree  of  severity  at
the time of separation.

The BCMR Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

While assigned to  Thailand,  he  developed  South  East  Asian  Asthma  and
currently  suffers  from  severe   chronic   respiratory   problems,   which
frequently require his hospitalization.

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit G.

_________________________________________________________________

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.   We  took  notice  of  the  applicant's
complete submission in judging the merits of the  case;  however,  we  agree
with the opinion and recommendation  of  the  BCMR  Medical  Consultant  and
adopt his rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the  applicant  has
not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence  of
evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend  granting
the relief sought in this application.

4.  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 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  Docket  Number  BC-2004-01768
in Executive Session on 23 June 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                       Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Chair
                       Mr. Christopher D. Carey, Member
                       Mr. Wayne R. Gracie, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 28 May 04, w/atch.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 2 May 05.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 May 05.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 11 May 05.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 19 May 05.
    Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant, dated 31 May 05.




                                   THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
                                   Chair

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