RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2009-00430
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: YES
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her records be corrected to show she received a line of duty (LOD)
determination for mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation and she
was medically retired from the Air National Guard (ANG) with a
disability rating of 50 percent, retroactive to November 1989,
rather than discharged for medical disqualification.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
She was wrongly discharged for medical disqualification from the
Minnesota ANG (MNANG) on 1 Nov 89.
She underwent surgery for mitral stenosis in Apr 89 resulting in
her mitral valve being replaced. As a result, she was placed on a
life-long blood thinning medication.
There was no record of a heart condition prior to her enlistment
in the Regular Air Force in Apr 73. Mitral stenosis was diagnosed
just prior to her discharge from active duty in Jan 77 indicating
it occurred while she was on active duty. She was accepted for
service with the Minnesota ANG (MNANG) in Apr 80 and was selected
for a fulltime military technician position with the MNANG in Sep
80.
Therefore, her condition presented itself while she was on active
duty and was obviously aggravated by service with the MNANG.
During her discharge processing for medical disqualification, she
was told that because she had not served for at least 15 years
that she was not eligible for any type of retirement. She should
have received an LOD and been evaluated for a medical retirement
as she lost both her military and civilian careers as a result of
her discharge.
In support of her appeal, the applicant provides a personal
statement and pertinent copies of her enlistment/reenlistment
paperwork, medical records, and personnel records.
Applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 Apr 73, and was
progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (E4) with a date
of rank (DOR) of 1 Feb 76. She was honorably discharged on 31 Jan
77 after having served three years, nine months, and four days.
She enlisted with the MNANG on 19 Apr 80 for a period of one year.
Evidence of record with regard to her enlistment on 19 Apr 80
includes a Report of Medical Examination upon which is noted a
problem with her heart. Also included is a Report of Medical
History, where the applicant denies heart trouble of any kind. On
5 Mar 81, she extended her enlistment for a period of three years.
On 19 Apr 84, she reenlisted with the MNANG for a period of three
years. Prior to her reenlistment, on 19 Feb 84, the evidence of
record indicates the results of a Pulmonary Function Studies and
an Electrocardiogram both as being normal. A Report of Medical
Examination, dated 22 Jan 84, indicates a slight mitral stenosis,
probably due to rheumatic fever, noting the applicant had no
memory of ever having Rheumatic Fever.
On 19 Apr 87, she requested an extension to her 1984 reenlistment
of three years. Her request was approved extending her date of
separation (DOS) to 18 Apr 90.
On 6 Apr 89, she underwent surgery to replace her mitral valve
with a prosthetic valve. The surgery required she take a blood-
thinning medication for the rest of her life. Attempts to
regulate her heart rhythm were unsuccessful and she has been in
atrial fibrillation since well before her surgery.
On 15 Jul 89, she met a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) which
ultimately found her medically disqualified for continued military
service and recommended she be discharged. Her waiver request to
remain on duty was denied.
On 1 Nov 89, she was honorably discharged in the grade of master
sergeant (MSgt/E7) after 13 years, 3 months, and 18 days of
combined active and Reserve service.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The BCMR Medical consultant recommends denial. He notes the lack
of pertinent medical records with which to make an informed
decision with regard to her claims. Nevertheless, based on the
evidence of record provided by the applicant, the Medical
Consultant identifies two medical maladies that require life-long
medication and monitoring, yet neither condition can be classified
as a potentially disqualifying condition. He therefore concludes
the applicant has not met her burden of proving that an error or
injustice occurred that would warrant a change to her record.
The BCMR Medical Consultants complete evaluation is at Exhibit B.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant
on 22 Apr 10 for review and comment 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 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. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to
the contrary, we find no 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 AFBCMR Docket Number
BC-2009-00430 in Executive Session on 22 June 2010, under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2009-00430 was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Jan 09, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. BCMR Medical Consultant dated 21 Apr 10.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 22 Apr 10.
Panel Chair
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