RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00457
INDEX NUMBER: 145.00
XXXXXXXXXXXXx COUNSEL: None
XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: No
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 7 Aug 07
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her entry level separation for “Erroneous Entry” be changed to
“disabled.”
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
She was diagnosed with asthma while at Air Force basic training. She
had never before had a problem. She has attached a page out of her
medical records, which she points out says “unaware” as the reason for
not informing the Military Entrance Processing Station of her
condition.
The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit
A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant entered active duty on 6 Jul 04. On 19 Nov 04, her
training flight commander notified her he was recommending her
discharge from the Air Force due to her diagnosis of asthma as
documented in her medical records on 22 Oct 04. The commander advised
the applicant that her condition existed prior to service and had not
been aggravated by her military service. The applicant acknowledged
receipt and waived her right to counsel and to submit a statement in
her own behalf. The Wing Legal Office reviewed and found the proposed
discharge legally sufficient on 23 Nov 04. The Training Group
Commander directed the applicant be discharged with an Entry Level
Separation due to Erroneous Enlistment. The applicant was discharged
on 7 Dec 04 with an Entry Level Separation with uncharacterized
service.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial of the applicant’s
request.
The applicant was administratively discharged with an entry level
separation for existing prior to service asthma. The applicant has
denied symptoms, diagnosis or treatment of asthma prior to basic
training. Her situation is not unique. Individuals without a
definite history of asthma that are unable to complete the physical
conditioning aspects of military training due to respiratory symptoms
attributed to asthma are routinely identified during initial training.
Their previously asymptomatic underlying bronchial hyper-reactivity
becomes manifest during the intense physical activity and stress of
military training not typical of normal civilian life. This chronic
condition does not develop in the short time of basic training and
individuals manifesting reactive airways or asthma within several
weeks to a few months after entry on active duty did not develop their
condition in so short a period of time, although they may have been
previously asymptomatic.
The applicant’s condition disqualified her from military service.
Medical standards for enlistment indicate that “asthma, including
reactive airway disease, exercise induced bronchospasm or asthmatic
bronchitis, reliably diagnosed at any age” is disqualifying for
enlistment. Medical standards for enlistment apply to members during
their first six months of military service. The preponderance of the
evidence and medical principles indicates the applicant’s condition
was disqualifying for enlistment and continued military service and
was a pre-existing condition not entitled to physical disability
compensation.
The complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation was forwarded to
the applicant on 17 Feb 06 for review and comment within 30 days. To
date, a response has not been received.
________________________________________________________________
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;
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.
_________________________________________________________________
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-2005-
00457 in Executive Session on 22 March 2006, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Mr. Michael K. Gallogly, Panel Chair
MS. Rita J. Maldonado, Member
Ms. Glenda H. Scheiner, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 Feb 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Memorandum, BCMR Medical Consultant,
dated 13 Feb 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Feb 06.
MICHAEL K. GALLOGLY
Panel Chair
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