RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-05794
		
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her fitness assessment (FA) score recorded on 20 Nov 12 be 
removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS).

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She failed her FA due to the side effects of the medication 
(Florinef) she was prescribed which caused her to gain weight. 

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

_________________ ______________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in 
the grade of senior airman (E-4).

In accordance with AFI 36-2905, Fitness Program, to determine 
overall fitness, the Air Force uses an overall composite fitness 
score and minimum scores per three component areas: Aerobic 
Fitness (1.5 mile run), Body Composition (abdominal circumference 
measurement), and Muscular Fitness (number of push-ups and sit-
ups completed within one minute each).  Military members receive 
a composite score on a 0 to 100 scale based on the following 
maximum component scores: 60 points for aerobic, 20 points for 
body composition, 10 points for push-ups and 10 points for sit-
ups.  To determine individual composite fitness scores the Air 
Force uses age and gender specific fitness score charts.  

Furthermore, Attachment 2, USAF Fitness Scoring, of the AFI 
indicates that females under age 30 must meet minimum value in 
each component, and achieve a composite point total greater than 
75 points.  The passing minimum score for the waist measurement 
component is 35.5 inches.  

On 24 Aug 12, an AF Form 469, Duty Limiting Condition Report, was 
issued which restricted the applicant from performing activities 
that increased her heart rate and labored breathing unless 
directed by a licensed medical provider, aerobic/anaerobic 
activities until 24 Sep 12.  She was also restricted from 
strenuous, high impact/jarring activities until 18 Oct 12.

On 14 Nov 12, the applicant was issued an AF Form 422, 
Notification of Air Force Member’s Qualification Status, with a 
20 Nov 12 expiration date, indicating she could participate in 
the abdominal circumference for fitness testing.  It was further 
noted the applicant could only perform fitness activities by her 
physician.

On 17 Nov 12, the applicant was issued an AF Form 469 with a 
20 Nov 12 expiration date, reflecting that she was restricted 
from participating in strenuous and high impact activities, or 
standing for longer than 15 minutes per hour.

On 20 Nov 12, the applicant participated in the contested FA 
where her waist was measured as 38.5 inches; as a result, she did 
not attain a satisfactory score on the overall assessment.

The medical note provided by the applicant from the International 
Heart Institute reflects the applicant underwent a Tilt Test that 
revealed she had a significant reduction in blood pressure.  Her 
electrocardiogram revealed a slow heart rate.  It was noted she 
may need a pacemaker and prescribed her Florinef.

The applicant’s last six FA results are listed below:

  Date
  Abdominal
Circumference
Composite
 Score
    Rating
28 Jul 11
      36.00
  54.10
Unsatisfactory
29 Sep 11
     34.00
  73.60
Unsatisfactory
29 Nov 11
     33.50
  86.10
Satisfactory
 4 May 12
     34.50
  75.60
Satisfactory
20 Nov 12
     38.50
   0.00
Unsatisfactory
22 Feb 13
     36.00
  72.90
Unsatisfactory

________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial indicating that although the 
applicant was exempt on all components except the waist 
measurement of the FA, she should have been prepared to be 
assessed on the nonexempt component of the assessment.  Under the 
provisions of the Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2905, Fitness 
Program, health care providers will list physical limitations on 
the AF Form 469.  When a service member is unable to participate 
in fitness activities or a FA for 30 days or more, the service 
member will follow local policy to obtain an exercise 
prescription and determination of FA exemption from the Exercise 
Physiologist (EP)/Fitness Program Manager (FPM).  The service 
member will continue to prepare for and be assessed on nonexempt 
components of the FA, unless he/she is given a composite 
exemption.  The health care provider will indicate the length of 
time required for the physical limitations.  The expiration date 
represents the date the service member is medically cleared to 
resume physical activities that were previously restricted.  
Service members will be eligible for an FA 42 days after the 
expiration date of physical limitations, as indicated on the 
AF Form 469.  Even though the member was exempt from all 
components except the abdominal circumference portion of the FA, 
she should have been prepared to be assessed on the non-exempt 
component of the assessment.

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

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 14 Apr 13 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this 
date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).

________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends granting the requested 
relief indicating the applicant was prescribed a potentially 
offending medication, Florinef, during two months prior to 
testing; it, along with other restrictions imposed, cannot be 
ruled out as contributory cause of her increased abdominal 
measurement.  Since the medication has been discontinued, a four 
to six month period following cessation of the medication should 
be sufficient to eliminate Florinef as a cause of future fitness 
failures related to either weight or abdominal circumference.

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

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the AFBMCR Medical Consultant evaluation was forwarded 
to the applicant on 4 Sep 13 for review and comment 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We note the 
differing opinions of the Air Force office of primary 
responsibility and the AFBCMR Medical Consultant regarding the 
contested fitness test.  However, we concur with the AFBCMR 
Medical Consultant and adopt his rationale as the basis for our 
decision that medication the applicant was taking two months 
prior to her test could not be ruled out as a contributory factor 
to her increased waist measurement.  Therefore, to preclude the 
possibility of an injustice to the applicant, we recommend that 
her records be corrected as indicated below.

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that her Fitness 
Assessment, dated 20 November 2012, be removed from the Air Force 
Fitness Management System (AFFMS) database.

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-05794 in Executive Session on 22 Oct 13, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

	 Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Dec 12, w/atchs.
	 Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	 Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 25 Mar 13, w/atch.
	 Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Apr 13.
	 Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 3 Sep 13.
	 Exhibit F.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 4 Sep 13.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair