RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-00499
INDEX CODE: 112.00
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 20 AUG 07
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her records be changed to reflect she is medically qualified for
enlistment.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
She desires to reenlist in the service. She indicates that she was
informed by her recruiter that she was permanently disqualified for
processing for the Air Force Reserves based on medical documentation she
submitted at the request of her recruiter. She provided a letter from her
private doctor which indicates her present diagnosis.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant’s military personnel records are unavailable.
Data extracted from documentation provided by the applicant indicates she
enlisted in the Air Force Reserves on 15 June 1984 and served on active
duty for training from 10 July 1984 through 12 October 1984.
Medical documentation provided by the applicant indicates the following:
Medical Documentation from the Mobile Urology Group, indicates on 18 April
1995 the applicant had a cysto, right stent placement removal of right
percutaneous nephrostomy and right ESWL.
Medical documentation from the USA Urology Center - Progress Notes
indicates on 26 April 1995, the applicant was asymptomatic as far as the
headaches, nausea and vomiting until she had a right cysto retrograde and
ESWL at the Springhill Hospital under spinal anesthesia approximately one
week ago. 24-hours after the anesthetic, she developed what appeared to be
a post spinal headache. When she stood upright, she was in pain,
experienced nausea, vomiting, and headaches. When she laid down her
condition improved. She had two blood patches and continued to have
symptoms. The physician recommended the applicant be admitted to a medical
center for consultation; however, she declined. The applicant had not been
able to work and the anesthesiologist at the Springhill Hospital
recommended she be reevaluated.
Medical documentation from the USA Urology Center - Progress Notes by her
nephrologists, dated 24 January 1996, indicates diagnoses of recurrent
nephrolithiasis and polycystic kidney disease. She also had recurrent
kidney stone on the left side in January 1997 (requiring cystoscopy,
ureteroscopy, stone manipulation, stent placement).
Medical Documentation from the Mobile Urology Group, dated 13 July 2005
indicates stable polycystic kidney disease without evidence of tumor, mass
or kidney stone disease. Her kidney function was reported to be normal and
blood pressure was stable.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFRC/RSSX recommends denial. RSSX states the Military Entrance Processing
Station (MEPS) permanently disqualified the applicant from processing based
on medical documentation submitted by her, at the request of her recruiter.
Since that time, the applicant has obtained a letter from her private
doctor, dated July 2005, with her present diagnosis. The letter indicates
that the applicant is still being seen by her physician on a regular basis
with checks of blood work, blood pressure, urinalysis and renal ultrasound.
At this time, she is functioning normally and there are no indications of
any problems from the original diagnosis of polycystic kidney disease and
kidney stones.
Regardless of the applicant’s present condition, the fact remains that she
is still being monitored by the original diagnosis. Normal functionality
now does not mean the condition has been resolved. Any history of
polycystic kidney disease is a permanent disqualification. RSSX requested
a determination from the Air Force Reserve Command Surgeon General’s office
to confirm whether or not the applicant could even be considered for a
waiver if she were to be able to accomplish a physical at the MEPS. Per
AFRC/SG, a waiver would not be considered or approved for the applicant
based on her diagnosis.
The RSSX evaluation is at Exhibit B.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 3 March 2006, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the
applicant for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit C). As of this
date, no response has been received by this office.
_________________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The Medical Consultant
states the applicant has two related disqualifying conditions: polycystic
kidney disease and recurrent nephrolithiasis. Polycystic Kidney disease is
an inherited (autosomal dominant; 75 percent of patients have a family
history) systemic disorder that commonly leads to progressive renal failure
but that can also affect a number of other organ systems. Cyst formation
in the kidneys begins in very early childhood (inutero) and increase in
size and number as the patient ages. Most patients come to medical
attention in middle age due to flank or back pain, blood in the urine,
urinary tract infections, and kidney stones. Later in life, progression of
the condition results in progressive renal failure (associated with
increasing number and size of cysts and scarring of kidney tissues;
depending on the specific gene type, ranges between age 55 and 70). High
blood pressure develops in 60 to 75 percent of adults and contributes to
the decline in kidney function. In addition to cysts in the kidney, the
condition is associated with the development of cysts in the liver
(particularly in women as they age), diverticulosis and diverticulitis,
hiatal hernias, and mitral valve prolapse on echocardiography (up to 25
percent). Four to ten percent of patients are found to have an aneurysm in
the Circle of Willis, an artery in the brain that can bleed causing
devastating neurologic sequelae. There is no specific treatment for
polycystic kidney disease and treatments are directed at treating
infections, kidney stones, high blood pressure, and cyst puncture/surgical
decompression to relieve pressure symptoms.
Although she is reported to have normal kidney function with stable blood
pressure, and no recent kidney stones, her condition remains disqualifying
for service in accordance with medical standards for enlistment and
reenlistment in Air Force Instruction 48-123, Attachment 3 (paragraph
A3.18.6.3, Cystic or polycystic kidney, confirmed history of; and paragraph
A3.18.12.1 Substantiated history of recurrent renal calculus or bilateral
renal calculus at any time). Merely a history of polycystic kidney disease
and a history of recurrent nephrolithiasis are disqualifying based on the
risk for recurrent complications and associated conditions that can render
a service member unable to perform duties. This is not a condition that
would warrant a waiver to serve the needs of the Air Force.
The Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 2 May 2006, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the
applicant for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit E). 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 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 an error or injustice. After reviewing the evidence of
record, we are not persuaded the applicant’s release from the Air Force was
not in accordance with Air Force policy. Her contentions are duly noted;
however, in our opinion, the detailed comments provided by the BCMR Medical
Consultant adequately address these allegations. Therefore, we are in
agreement with the comments and recommendations of the Air Force Offices of
Primary Responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our
determination that the applicant has not been the victim of either an error
or injustice. In view of the above and 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-2006-
00499 in Executive Session on 13 June 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Ms. Kathleen F. Graham, Panel Chair
Ms. Karen A. Holloman, Member
Mr. Wallace F. Beard, Jr., Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 9 Feb 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, AFRC/RSSX, dated 27 Feb 06.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Mar 06, w/atch.
Exhibit D. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 27 Mar 06.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 2 May 2006, w/atch.
KATHLEEN F. GRAHAM
Panel Chair
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