RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-04254 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: YES 

 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code of 2Q (Personnel 
Medically Retired or Discharged) and separation program 
designator (SPD) code of JFL (Disability, Severance Pay) be 
changed to allow him to be eligible to reenlist. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

The record is in error. He was medically separated for Chron’s 
disease; however, since his discharge, the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (DVA) has instead established that he suffers 
from colitis. Since his last procedures in Jun 10, the DVA 
doctors have given him a great prognosis and he is no longer 
taking medication. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides an expanded 
statement and copies of his DD Forms 214, Certificate of Release 
or Discharge from Active Duty, National Guard Bureau Form 22, Report of Separation and Record of Service, and excerpts of his 
service medical records. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant’s military personnel records indicate he enlisted 
in the Regular Air Force on 7 Mar 02 and was progressively 
promoted to the grade of senior airman (E-4), effective and with 
a date of rank of 7 Sep 04. 

 

On 18 Sep 07, a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) found the 
applicant unfit for continued military service for inflammatory 
bowel disease, most likely Crohn’s disease, and referred him to 
the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB). 


On 7 Nov 07, the IPEB reviewed the MEB findings and recommended 
discharge with severance pay and a disability rating of ten 
percent for Crohn’s disease. 

 

On 27 Nov 07, the applicant concurred with the findings of the 
IPEB and on 28 Nov 07, the Secretary of the Air Force directed 
his separation for physical disability. 

 

On 7 Jan 08, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge 
for physical disability and assigned an RE code of 2Q (Personnel 
medically retired or discharged) and an SPD code of JFL 
(Discharge: disability, severance pay). He was credited with 
5 years, 10 months, and 1 day of total active service. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of 
the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibits C, D, and E. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSD recommends denial, indicating a preponderance of the 
evidence reflects that no error or injustice occurred during the 
disability process. The IPEB recommended the applicant’s 
discharge with severance pay with a combined compensable 
disability rating of ten percent noting that Crohn’s is a 
chronic disease for which there is no cure, which has a waxing 
and waning course, and is sometimes unpredictable. The 
applicant agreed with the IPEB’s findings and recommendation in 
his case. He could have non-concurred and requested to appear 
before the Formal Physical Disability Evaluation Board (FPEB), 
represented by counsel. Further, if he disagreed with the 
FPEB’s recommendation, he could have submitted a rebuttal and 
his case would have been forwarded to the Secretary of the Air 
Force Personnel Council for their review and finalization. This 
appeal process, when followed, assures members receive the 
benefit of a full and fair hearing in accordance with disability 
policy. Additionally, the applicant’s DVA medical records make 
it clear that he has continued to receive treatment, including 
an in-patient hospitalization, for Crohn’s disease since his 
discharge. Finally, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and 
duodenal ulcer are all rated together as one evaluation and the 
DVA gave the applicant a ten percent rating under this 
diagnostic code on 22 Dec 08. 

 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSD evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial, indicating the 2Q RE code is 
required in accordance with AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the US 
Air Force, based on his disability discharge. 

 

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 


The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial, indicating the 
applicant has not met the burden of proof of an error or 
injustice that warrants the desired change to the record. While 
he has reported that his diagnosis has been changed from Crohn’s 
disease to colitis, both conditions are considered inflammatory 
bowel disease; and inflammatory bowel disease due to any cause 
may pose an unreasonable risk for unexpected acute exacerbation, 
resulting in either mission degradation or a risk to the service 
member’s health and well being. This is particularly relevant 
in the context of the austere operational conditions confronting 
the members of all Military Departments under today’s wartime 
footing. While the applicant was originally retained after 
successful control of his disease in 2004 and able to complete 
an overseas tour of duty, it was likely the recurrent bouts with 
the disease and uncertain risks imposed that resulted in his 
ultimate release from the service. Thus, even through the 
applicant has been given a “good prognosis” it does not rule out 
a future recurrence and possible negative mission impact. In 
any event, even if the Board decided to change the applicant’s 
RE code, he would still require a waiver to enter the service as 
either diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or colitis is disqualifying 
for service entry in accordance with DoD Instruction 6231.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in 
the Military Service. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the 
applicant on 27 Jun 11 for review and response within 30 days. 
As of this date, no response has been received by this office 
(Exhibit F). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. We took 
notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and 
recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary 
responsibility and the AFBCMR Medical Consultant and adopt their 
rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not 
been the victim of an error or injustice. The applicant’s 


contentions are duly noted; however, we find no evidence of an 
error on the part of the Air Force in carrying out the IPEB and 
the applicant’s subsequent disability separation, including the 
assignment of the contested RE and SPD codes. Therefore, absent 
evidence that appropriate standards were not applied, or the 
applicant was not afforded rights to which he was entitled, we 
find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. 

 

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 issues involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably 
considered. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material 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-2010-04254 in Executive Session on 4 Aug 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Oct 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSD, dated 30 Dec 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 11 Feb 11. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, 

 dated 21 Jun 11. 

 Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Jun 11. 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair