RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01020 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

She meet a medical evaluation board (MEB) to rate her back 
injuries and for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

She was diagnosed with PTSD prior to leaving the military in 2006 
and was never provided the opportunity to meet an MEB. The Life 
Skills provider stated an MEB was unnecessary because she was 
separating. The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) used the 
PTSD diagnosis to rate her. 

 

In support of her request, the applicant provides extract copies 
from her medical records and her DD Form 214, Certificate of 
Release or Discharge from Active Duty. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 12 April 1994 
and was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant, 
having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 
28 September 2001. She was honorably discharged for completion of 
required active service on 28 January 2006 after serving 
11 years, 9 months and 17 days. 

 

On 6 June 2005, the applicant was diagnosed with anxiety 
disorder. She has no profile restrictions to reflect that she 
was restricted in the performance of her military duties because 
of a psychiatric disorder. 

 

On 9 July 2009, the DVA awarded the applicant a 30 percent 
disability rating for PTSD, a 10 percent rating for arthritis 
thoraculumbar spine and a 10 percent rating for migraine 
headaches. 

 


The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application is 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the 
Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The Medical 
Consultant states the applicant has not met the burden of proof, 
with the evidence supplied, of an error or injustice that 
warrants a change to her record. There is insufficient evidence 
to show the applicant’s PTSD rendered her unfit at the time of 
separation. The mere existence of a particular medical diagnosis 
does not automatically render a service member unfit for military 
service. The applicant had initiated treatment in June 2005 and 
achieved an improvement in her overall functioning, and was 
worldwide qualified throughout the period of treatment. 

 

The Department of Defense Instruction 1332.38, Physical 
Disability Evaluation, states if the evidence establishes that 
the service member adequately performed his or her duties until 
the time the service member was referred for physical evaluation, 
the member may be considered fit for duty. Regardless of the 
presence of illness or injury, inadequate performance of duty, by 
itself, shall not be considered as evidence of unfitness due to 
physical disability unless is is established that there is a 
cause and effect relationship between the two factors. 

 

The BCMR Medical Consultant’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit 
C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant states she should have received an MEB prior to 
leaving the service in 2006. After returning from Iraq in 
April 2005, she was diagnosed with PTSD. The Improvised 
Explosive Devices (IEDs), deaths along with other events while in 
Iraq took its toll on her. After five years, she is still dealing 
with insommia, nightmares, medication, anxiety attacks, smoking 
and continuous drinking. She has even at times thought about 
taking her life. 

 

The applicant also states she is offended by the recommendation 
of the Medical Consultant. It is sad the very people who fought 
and are still fighting for this country are being turned down for 
assistance after service to their country. 

 

 

 


The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit E. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 an error or injustice. The 
available evidence of record does not support a finding that her 
medical conditions warrant a change in her record. While the 
applicant takes offense with the recommendation of the Medical 
Consultant and argues that she should have met an MEB prior to 
her separation, the fact of the matter is, the mere presence of a 
medical condition does not qualify a member for disability 
evaluation. For an individual to be considered unfit for military 
service there must be a medical condition so severe that it 
prevents performance of duties commensurate with rank and 
experience. Therefore, we do not find her assertions and 
documentation provided, in and by themselves, sufficiently 
persuasive to override the rationale provided by the BCMR Medical 
Consultant. Accordingly, we agree with the opinion and 
recommendation of the BCMR Medical Consultant and adopt the 
rationale expressed, as the basis for our conclusion the 
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In 
the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the relief sought. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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-2010-01020 in Executive Session on 5 January 2011, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

Panel Chair 

Member 

Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Feb 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 23 Sep 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Sep 10. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 6 Nov 10, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair