Search Decisions

Decision Text

AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2004-03816
Original file (BC-2004-03816.DOC) Auto-classification: Denied

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-03816
            INDEX CODE:  108.07
            COUNSEL:  NONE
            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 17 Jun 06

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His service-connected  medical  conditions,  postoperative  stomach  injury,
damaged eyesight, and impaired hearing, be assessed  as  combat  related  in
order  to  qualify  for  compensation  under  the  Combat  Related   Special
Compensation (CRSC) Act.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His impaired hearing is the result  of  static  noises  incurred  performing
duties in Korea as a radio  operator   His  eyes  were  injured  coding  and
decoding messages in very dim light  at  night.   As  a  result  of  several
aircraft incidents, one of which several of his buddies were killed, he  has
recurring nightmares.  As a result, he developed stomach ulcers.

In support of his request, applicant provided documentation associated  with
his CRSC application.  His complete  submission,  with  attachments,  is  at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air  Force  on  5
Dec 47.  He was progressively promoted to  the  grade  of  master  sergeant,
having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank  of  1  Dec  65.
He served as a Radio Operator.  He voluntarily retired from  the  Air  Force
on 31 Jul 70, having served 22 years, 7 months, and 26 days on active duty.

Available Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) records  reflect  a  combined
compensable rating of 30% for his unfitting conditions.

His CRSC application was disapproved on 23 Nov 04 based upon the  fact  that
his service-connected medical conditions were determined not to  be  combat-
related.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPD  recommends  denial.   DPPD  states  while   stress   can   be   a
contributing factor to stomach  conditions,  CRSC  cannot  be  approved  for
stomach injury based on stress alone  as  it  is  difficult  to  objectively
determine this factor as the definitive cause of the condition  rather  than
other causes or the applicant's physical make-up.  Additionally,  there  are
no references  in  his  medical  records  to  indicate  the  origin  of  his
disability.  Impaired hearing cannot be considered combat related unless  it
is incidental to a combat related event or  due  to  documented,  continual,
extensive exposure to combat-related noise and the conditions were shown  to
have manifested while in service.  Radio operators are not considered to  be
one of the specialties continuously exposed  to  combat  related  noise  and
there is no evidence he suffered  any  trauma  to  the  ears.   His  service
medical records indicate he suffers from presbyopia (requiring  glasses  for
reading).  This is a common condition for middle-aged and older  persons  to
develop.  No evidence was provided to indicate he suffered  from  trauma  to
the eyes.  Additionally the disability has not been rated by the DVA.

The DPPD evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 21  Jan
05 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office  has
received no response.

_________________________________________________________________

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.  After a thorough review of  the  available
evidence of record, it is our opinion  that  the  service-connected  medical
conditions the applicant believes are combat-related were  not  incurred  as
the direct result of armed conflict, while engaged in hazardous service,  in
the performance of duty under  conditions  simulating  war,  or  through  an
instrumentality of war, and  therefore,  do  not  qualify  for  compensation
under the CRSC Act.  We agree with the opinions and  recommendation  of  the
Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its  rationale  as  the
basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the  victim  of  an
error or injustice.  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 AFBCMR Docket Number  BC-2004-
03816 in Executive Session on 15 Dec 05, under the  provisions  of  AFI  36-
2603:

      Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Chair
      Mr. Michael V. Barbino, Member
      Ms. Martha A. Maust, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Dec 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPD, dated 11 Jan 05.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Jan 05.




                                   THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
                                   Chair

Similar Decisions

  • AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-02593

    Original file (BC-2005-02593.DOC) Auto-classification: Denied

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-02593 INDEX CODE: 108.07 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 28 DEC 06 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His service-connected medical condition, impaired hearing and tinnitus, be assessed as combat related in order to qualify for compensation under the Combat Related Special Compensation...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2004-03895

    Original file (BC-2004-03895.DOC) Auto-classification: Denied

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-03895 INDEX CODE: 108.07 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: Not Indicated MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 24 Jun 06 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His service-connected medical conditions, hypertensive heart disease and impaired hearing, be assessed as combat related in order to qualify for compensation under the Combat...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2004-03817

    Original file (BC-2004-03817.DOC) Auto-classification: Denied

    _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: Applicant's service records cannot be located. DPPD states a review of his service and DVA medical records show his duodenal ulcers, impaired hearing, and tinnitus, are not combat related. His records do show he suffered hearing loss while in service; however, impaired hearing and tinnitus cannot be considered combat related unless incidental to a combat related event or due to documented, continual and...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-01248

    Original file (BC-2005-01248.DOC) Auto-classification: Denied

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-01248 INDEX CODE: 108.07 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 15 DEC 06 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His service-connected medical conditions, impaired hearing and tinnitus, be assessed as combat related in order to qualify for compensation under the Combat Related Special Compensation...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-01530

    Original file (BC-2005-01530.DOC) Auto-classification: Denied

    DPPD states a review of his service and DVA medical records shows medical examinations dated 13 Jun 81, 11 Sep 82, 11 Jan 86, and 2 Dec 89 indicates he had normal hearing. We agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2006-03641

    Original file (BC-2006-03641.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-03641 INDEX CODE: 108.07 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 1 JUN 08 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His service-connected medical condition, impaired hearing, be assessed as combat related in order to qualify for compensation under the Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) Act. He...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2005 | BC-2005-00237

    Original file (BC-2005-00237.DOC) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant's service medical records cannot be located. His medical records cannot be located and documentation contained in his personnel records does not confirm hearing loss while in service. We agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.

  • AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2006-01663

    Original file (BC-2006-01663.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

    In support of his request, applicant provided a personal statement with nine attachments, his DD Form 214, Statement of Service, Retirement Orders, and other documentation associated with his CRSC application. The DPPD evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 25 Aug 06 (Exhibit D) for review and comment within 30 days. ...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2007 | BC-2006-03167

    Original file (BC-2006-03167.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

    RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-03167 INDEX CODE: 108.07 COUNSEL: MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART HEARING DESIRED: NO MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 18 DEC 07 _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His service-connected medical condition, impaired hearing, be assessed as combat related in order to qualify for compensation under the Combat Related Special...

  • AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-2005-00732

    Original file (BC-2005-00732.DOC) Auto-classification: Denied

    His CRSC application was disapproved on 19 Aug 04 based upon the fact that his service-connected medical conditions were determined not to be combat- related. DPPD provided a review of his relevant medical history and states no evidence can be found to indicate any of the claimed conditions were caused by a combat related injury or event. After a thorough review of the available evidence of record, it is our opinion that the service-connected medical conditions the applicant believes are...