RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-02303
            INDEX CODE:  112.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  27 JANUARY 2006

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code of 2Q be changed to a code  of  1  or
3.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She is requesting a change in her RE code so that she may enlist in the  Air
Force Reserves.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 23 April 1997 the applicant enlisted in the United States  Army  Reserves
and on 31 October 1997  she  was  discharged  with  uncharacterized  service
under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 11, Entry-Level Performance  and
Conduct.  She served 6 months and 8 days of total active service.

During the time  period  in  question,  on  9  August  2000,  the  applicant
enlisted in the Regular Air Force in the grade of airman basic.

SF 93, Report of Medical Examination, dated  10  March  2000,  reflects  the
applicant checked no to question 16, “Have  you  ever  been  treated  for  a
mental condition?” and question 21, “Have you consulted or been  treated  by
clinics, physicians, healers or other practitioners  within  the  past  five
years for other than minor illnesses?”



The 12th Medical Group Behavioral Health Flight, Behavioral  Health  Clinic,
Medical Report, dated 31 July 2001, indicated the  applicant  presented  she
had recurrent health problems with anorexia nervosa.  It  further  indicated
prior psychotherapy in 1997 and 1999.

AF Form 618, Medical Board Report, dated  25  October  2001,  indicated  the
applicant was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and major depressive  disorder
with psychotic features which existed prior to  service  (EPTS).   Her  case
was referred to the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB).

On 25 October 2001, the commander recommended  the  applicant  be  medically
discharged immediately.  He indicated due  to  her  medical  condition,  she
could not acceptably perform her assigned duties.

AF Form  356,  USAF  IPEB  Report,  dated  2 November  2001,  indicated  the
applicant’s diagnoses were Category I  -  unfitting  conditions  which  were
compensable and ratable:  None.  Category II  -  Conditions  that  could  be
unfitting but are not currently compensable or  ratable:   anorexia  nervosa
associated with  major  depressive  disorder  without  service  aggravation,
severe social and industrial adaptability impairment.   Additional  findings
indicated the applicant was unfit because of  physical  disability  and  the
degree of impairment was permanent.  The compensable  disability  percentage
rating was 70.  It was  recommended  she  be  discharged  under  other  than
chapter  61,  Title  10  USC  (EPTS).   The  report  further  indicated  the
applicant’s medical condition, which existed prior to service  and  had  not
been permanently aggravated through military service, was incompatible  with
the rigors of military service.  The IPEB  found  the  applicant  unfit  and
recommended she be discharged.  On 7 November  2001,  the  applicant  agreed
with the findings and recommended disposition of the PEB and understood  she
was waiving the right to a formal PEB hearing.

On 7 November 2001, the Secretary of the Air Force  directed  the  applicant
be separated from active service for physical disability due to a  condition
that existed prior to military service.  The applicant was not  entitled  to
any benefits under the provisions of Chapter 61,  Title  10,  United  States
Code.

On 20 November 2001, the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade  of
airman first class under the provisions of AFI 36-3212 - Disability  Existed
Prior to Service.  She served 1 year, 3 months, and 11 days of total  active
duty service.  She received an RE code of 2Q - Personnel  medically  retired
or discharged and an SPD code of JFM - Disability Existed Prior to  Service,
PEB.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommended denial indicating the applicant  was
discharged due to an unfitting condition, anorexia  nervosa  complicated  by
depression that existed prior to service.   The  applicant’s  condition  was
severe, required psychotherapy prior to entering the  service  and  resulted
in a requirement for hospitalization while  in  service.   Eating  disorders
that are habitual or persistent after the age of 12  are  disqualifying  for
enlistment.  Even though the applicant reports feeling well  at  this  time,
her history of recurrent problems with anorexia nervosa, especially in  view
of  the  severity   of   her   condition   requiring   hospitalization,   is
disqualifying for reenlistment.  Action and disposition  in  this  case  are
proper and equitable reflecting compliance with Air  Force  directives  that
implement the law.  No change in the records is warranted.

The evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 25 May 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 an error or injustice  that  would  warrant  a  change  to  the
applicant’s RE code.  After a thorough review of the evidence of  record  we
are not persuaded that given the circumstances  surrounding  her  separation
from the Air Force, that the RE code should be  changed  to  allow  her  the
opportunity to apply for enlistment in the armed forces.  In  this  respect,
we note the opinion from the BCMR Medical  Consultant  which  indicates  the
applicant’s condition was so severe that it required psychotherapy prior  to
entering the service and  resulted  in  a  requirement  for  hospitalization
while in the service.  Even though the applicant  reports  feeling  well  at
this  time,  her  history  of  recurrent  problems  with  anorexia  nervosa,
especially  in  view  of   the   severity   of   her   condition   requiring
hospitalization, is disqualifying for reenlistment.  While  we  applaud  her
efforts to remain healthy, eating disorders  such  as  the  applicant’s  are
disqualifying for enlistment.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to  the
contrary, we find no compelling  basis  to  recommend  granting  the  relief
sought.

_________________________________________________________________


THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented  did  not  demonstrate  the
existence of an error or an injustice; the application was denied without  a
personal appearance; and 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-2004-
02303 in Executive Session on 6 July 2005, under the provisions of  AFI  36-
2603:

                 Ms. B. J. White-Olson, Panel Chair
                 Ms. Patricia A. Robey, Member
                 Mr. Patrick C. Daugherty, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 July 2004, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant,
               dated 18 May 2005.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 May 2005.





                       B. J. WHITE-OLSON
                       Panel Chair