RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:            DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2005-01634
                 INDEX CODE:  100.06, 108.01
                 COUNSEL:  NONE

                 HEARING DESIRED:  YES

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 19 Nov 06

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her reenlistment eligibility (RE) code be changed so she can join  the
Guard or Reserve.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

After being medically boarded and discharged for asthma, she  obtained
a second opinion from civilian physicians who specialize in  asthmatic
conditions.  Results from a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)  have  shown
negative results, raising a concern about the nature of her  diagnosis
and medical treatment while still on active duty.   She  is  currently
very active and healthy and feels she may  have  been  prematurely  or
improperly diagnosed and treated since there is no evidence of  asthma
present or any record of treatment for any breathing-related  problems
in over a year.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 16 Jun 99  and  was
assigned to the 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron  at  Eielson  AFB,
AK, as a weapons load crew member.

Details of the applicant’s  medical  situation  are  provided  by  the
AFBCMR Medical Consultant in his evaluation  (Exhibit  C),  which  was
extracted from the applicant’s available records (Exhibit B).

Beginning in Jun 03, the  applicant  began  experiencing  episodes  of
chest pain and shortness of breath.  She sought care in Sep 03 and was
diagnosed with asthma based on clinical history and PFTs showing  mild
obstruction to airflow and response to treatment with  bronchodilator.
Treatment significantly improved her symptoms.  She sought care in Oct
03 and Jan 04  for  recurrent  symptoms.  Triggers  for  her  symptoms
included exercise, weather/dry air, acid reflux, and post-nasal  drip.
Records reflected a history of allergic rhinitis and a family  history
of asthma in her father.  In  May  04,  the  applicant  presented  for
follow-up of her respiratory symptoms and was evaluated by a pulmonary
specialist, who diagnosed mild persistent asthma.  On 18 May  04,  she
was  placed  on  a  duty  restricting  profile  that   prevented   her
utilization in her Air Force specialty.  She was referred to a Medical
Evaluation Board (MEB).  The applicant requested retention and  cross-
training, reporting she was asymptomatic on medication.  On 22 Jul 04,
the Informal Physical Evaluation Board  (IPEB)  found  her  unfit  and
recommended disability discharge with severance pay with a 10%  rating
for asthma.  The applicant concurred on 17 Aug 04.

On 26 Aug 04,  the  Secretary  of  the  Air  Force  Personnel  Council
directed the applicant  be  separated  for  physical  disability  with
severance pay.

On 22 Nov 04, after 5 years, 5 months and 7 days  of  active  service,
the applicant was honorably discharged in the grade of  senior  airman
for disability with 10% severance pay.  She received  an  RE  code  of
“2Q” (medically retired  or  discharged),  and  a  separation  program
designator (SPD) code/narrative  reason  of  “JFL/Discharge-Disability
Severance Pay.”

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The  AFBCMR  Medical  Consultant  recommends  denial.   He  notes  the
applicant submitted results of PFTs, dated 24 Mar 05, performed by  an
allergist showing normal baseline spirometry with  no  improvement  of
the normal baseline values with administration of bronchodilator.  The
applicant does not  submit  a  copy  of  the  allergist’s  evaluation.
Medical standards for continued military duty  indicate  that  asthma,
recurrent bronchospasm, or reactive airway disease, unless due to well-
defined avoidable precipitant cause  is  disqualifying  for  worldwide
duty.  The standards are broader than a defined  diagnosis  of  asthma
and include reactive airways that may not meet strict criteria for the
clinical diagnosis of asthma.  Air Force policy with regard to  asthma
and reactive airway disease is reinforced by past experience with  the
high numbers of medical casualties due to asthma and reactive  airways
disease, particularly in members deployed to overseas locations.   The
applicant’s history of recurrent symptoms consistent with asthma as an
adult, the presence of allergies (allergic rhinitis), a family history
of asthma, and abnormal bronchoprovocation testing is consistent  with
her diagnosis  of  asthma.   Individuals  with  treated  asthma,  mild
intermittent asthma, or reactive airway disease will have normal  PFTs
in between episodes (in fact reversibility  is  a  hallmark  of  these
conditions).  The applicant’s medical history indicates she is at risk
for unpredictable recurrent problems when subjected to the  rigors  of
military operational environments.  Action  and  disposition  in  this
case were proper and equitable.

A complete copy of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s  evaluation  is  at
Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air  Force  evaluation  was  forwarded  to  the
applicant on 14 Jun 05 for review and comment within 30 days  (Exhibit
D).  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.   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  AFBCMR
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.  The applicant’s medical history indicates she is  at  risk
for unpredictable recurrent problems when subjected to the  rigors  of
military operational environments.  Avoiding physical exertion,  harsh
climates, and other triggers is not compatible with military  service.
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  issue(s)   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  this  application  in
Executive Session on 18 July 2006 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                 Ms. Kathleen F. Graham, Panel Chair
                 Mr. Wallace F. Beard, Jr., Member
                 Ms. Karen A. Holloman, Member

The following documentary evidence relating to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2005-01634 was considered:

   Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 3 May 05, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 13 Jun 06.
   Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Jun 06.




                                   KATHLEEN F. GRAHAM
                                   Panel Chair