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AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-02133
Original file (BC-2010-02133.txt) Auto-classification: Denied
 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02133 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His honorable discharge be changed to a medical discharge. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He believes he should have been medically retired from the Air 
Force Reserve due to a heart condition that was discovered and 
diagnosed during an annual physical in 1984 and further evaluated 
while in the Reserves from 1985 through 1990. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides documents 
extracted from his military personnel records and medical 
documentation. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 7 February 1979, the applicant enlisted in the Air Force 
Reserve in the grade of airman first class (E-3). At that time, 
he was credited with prior service in the U.S. Navy from 
27 December 1968 through 26 December 1972. The applicant was 
progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant (E-5). 

 

Based on the ANG/USAFR Point Credit Summary prepared on 16 March 
1991, the applicant's last documented participation with the Air 
Force Reserve was on 6 February 1990 and at that time he was 
credited with 16 years, 1 month and 1 day of satisfactory Federal 
service. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Based on the Army National Guard Current Annual Statement 
prepared on 7 July 1992, the applicant enlisted in the Army 
National Guard on 14 December 1990 and was honorably discharged 
effective 13 December 1991. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The AFBCMR 
Medical Consultant states the applicant’s disease at the time of 
his military service is presumed to have been mild in that he was 
cleared by a cardiologist to perform unrestricted activities. 
Under such circumstances, even if the applicant had undergone a 
Medical Evaluation Board, the Consultant opines, more likely than 
not, he would have been retained in active military service; or 
if found unfit, would unlikely have reached the disability rating 
threshold to qualify for a Medical Retirement. Disability 
ratings for cardiovascular disease are based upon a group of 
parameters codified as New York Heart Association Functional 
Classification; utilizing metabolic equivalents, or METS, to 
determine the level of impairment and corresponding disability 
rating; based upon the METS, or the level of exertion required to 
manifest symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, chest 
pain or fatigue. No such symptoms are reported (or recorded) 
during either of the applicant’s periods of service. 

 

On the other hand, operating under a different set of laws (Title 
38, C.F.R.), the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is 
authorized to offer compensation for any medical condition 
determined service incurred or aggravated, without regard to its 
impact upon a service member’s retainability, fitness to serve, 
or reason for separation. Even if the applicant’s current 
medical conditions are ultimately considered service incurred, 
they were either not present at the post-service level of 
severity or were not unfitting while in service. This is the 
reason why an individual can be found fit for service and yet 
sometime thereafter receive a compensation rating from the DVA 
for service-connected, but militarily non-unfitting conditions. 
The presence of medical conditions that were not unfitting while 
in service, and were not the cause of separation or retirement, 
that later progressed in severity causing disability resulting in 
service connected DVA compensation is not a basis to grant a 
retroactive military disability discharge or disability 
compensation. The Medical Consultant opines the applicant has 
not met the burden of proof of an error or injustice that 
warrants the desired change of the record. 

 

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s complete evaluation, with 
attachments, is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 


 

On 11 February 2011, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was 
forwarded to the applicant 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 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 an injustice. We took 
notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we agree with the BCMR Medical 
Consultant’s assessment and adopt his rationale as the basis for 
our conclusion that the applicant has failed to sustain his 
burden of proof of the existence 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. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of an error or 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-2010-02133 in Executive Session on 7 April 2011, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2010-02133 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 17 May 2010, w/atchs. 


 Exhibit B. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, 

 dated 2 February 2011. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 February 2011. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 

 



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