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AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 00706
Original file (BC 2013 00706.txt) Auto-classification: Approved
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:		DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-00706
		COUNSEL:  NONE
                   				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be reimbursed his $2,200 contribution to the Post-Vietnam 
Veterans’ Education Assistance Program (VEAP).  

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He contributed a $2,200 lump sum to his VEAP account on 9 March 
1999, prior to his separation on 30 April 1999.  He requested a 
refund of his VEAP contributions in March 2010; however, he was 
only reimbursed his monthly allotment portion ($600) of his VEAP 
contributions and not his $2,200 lump sum portion.  His lump sum 
contribution should have been deposited into his VEAP savings 
account; however, the Veterans Administration (VA) never 
received it, even though the lump sum allotment is listed on his 
March 1999 Leave and Earnings Statement (LES).  

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement; and, copies of a money order payable to the Defense 
Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) for VEAP; DD Form 2258, 
Authorization to Start, Stop, or Change an Allotment; Air Force 
Form 1209, Document Transmittal; his March 1999 LES; and 
2010/2011 electronic communications with VA and DFAS.  

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

________________________________________________________________
_

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Air Force 
from 27 April 1979 to 30 April 1999.  

The remaining relevant facts, extracted from the applicant’s 
military service records, are contained in the Air Force 
evaluation at Exhibit C.  

________________________________________________________________
_



AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIT recommends approval.  DPSIT states that VEAP was 
enacted by Congress (Title 38, United States Code, Chapter 32) 
to provide a veteran’s education benefit for individuals 
entering active duty between 1 January 1977 and 30 June 1985.  
VEAP was a voluntary program that offered a maximum $8,100 
benefit to the participants.  To enroll and participate, 
officers and airmen were required to start an allotment or make 
a deposit at the local accounting and finance office sometime 
between 1 January 1977 and 31 March 1987.  The minimum amount 
was $25 and all VEAP contributions were reflected on an LES and 
on quarterly VEAP statements.  Public Law 99-576 amended Chapter 
32 by prohibiting any new enrollments after 31 March 1987.  
Participants in VEAP could stop, restart, increase, and decrease 
the allotment only while serving on active duty.  They could 
also receive a refund of unused money.  

There is no way to confirm the action that initiated the VEAP 
transaction 14 years ago.  It is reasonable to assume it was the 
applicant’s request despite the years it took the applicant to 
recognize and attempt to correct the alleged error.  The 
applicant’s request is supported with evidence that he was a 
victim of an error or injustice.  

The complete DPSIT 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 1 April 2013, 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a 
thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s 
complete submission, we are persuaded that relief is warranted.  
In this respect, we note the applicant has provided sufficient 
documentation substantiating he made a $2,200 lump sum 
contribution in March 1999.  Therefore, we agree with the Air 
Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) recommendation to 
reimburse the applicant for his $2,200 one-time payment. 
Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected as 
indicated below.  

________________________________________________________________
_

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that competent 
authority approved his request for reimbursement of his 9 March 
1999 contribution of $2,200 to his Post-Vietnam Veterans’ 
Education Assistance Program (VEAP) account.  

________________________________________________________________
_

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-00706 in Executive Session on 17 October 2013, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

      		                     , Panel Chair
      		                     , Member
			                     , Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-
00706 was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Feb 13, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIT, dated 21 Mar 13.
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Apr 13.




                  
Panel Chair


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