RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-03924

	  	COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her 1 Jul 13 Fitness Assessment (FA) score be declared void and 
removed from her records. 


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She encountered several panic attacks during the cardio 
component of the contested FA; as a result, she completed the 
run in 19:06 and attained an overall composite score of 38.00 
points.  Despite this, she chose to complete the run to prove 
herself, even though she knew her panic attacks would keep her 
from doing so in the time allowed.  She now knows that the 
contested FA should have been terminated due to a medical 
condition that occurred during the test.  She attained passing 
scores on the remaining components, receiving 20 points for the 
abdominal circumference, 8 points for push-ups, and 10 points 
for sit-ups.  This was her second attempt of the FA.  The first 
FA was on 28 Jun 13, when she was physically unable to complete 
the run due to a severe panic attack.  She was seen by her 
primary care physician (PCM), pastor, and mental health provider 
upon her return from Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) 
(this was documented by her servicing base Hanscom AFB).

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 technical sergeant (E-6).

On 28 May 13, according to medical documentation provided by the 
applicant, she was seen for a medical evaluation at the local 
Military Treatment Facility (MTF).  During the appointment, the 
history of her illness was discussed.  It was noted the 
applicant underwent severe stress at her previous base, had been 
in treatment and was doing well.  Subsequent to this, she 
attended NCOA and began to experience anxiety attacks, finger 
numbness, which was associated with Posttraumatic Stress 
Disorder (PTSD) triggered by something while she was in school.  

On 1 Jul 13, the applicant participated in the contested FA and 
failed to attain the minimum required score in the cardio 
component and attained an overall composite score of 38.00, 
resulting in an unsatisfactory rating.

On 14 Feb 14, the Fitness Assessment Appeals Board (FAAB) 
disapproved the applicant’s request on the basis that she should 
not have completed the FA once she became ill during the test.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR) which is included at Exhibit B. 


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial, due to lack of supporting evidence 
to substantiate an error or injustice.  While the applicant 
contends she had a medical condition that precluded successful 
completion of the contested FA, she did not provide 
documentation of the diagnosis that precluded successful 
completion of the FA.  As per AFI 36-2905, Fitness, “if the 
medical evaluation validates the illness/injury and provides 
supporting medical documentation, the unit commander may 
invalidate the FA results by notifying the FAC in writing.  If 
the FA is invalidated, the Airman will be required to retest on 
all non-exempt components within five duty days from the 
original test date.  If an AF Form 422, Notification of Air 
Force Member’s Qualification Status, is required, an additional 
five duty days will be allowed for an AF Form 422 to be 
generated and provided.”  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation, with attachments, 
is at Exhibit B.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reiterates her account of the facts related to the 
contested FA and argues there is a causal relationship between 
her panic attacks and the FA failure.  Additionally, her 
personal motivation to complete subsequent components of the 
contested FA with a satisfactory score is a testament to her 
commitment to the AF Core Values.  In support of her response, 
she provides an expanded personal statement; a letter from her 
mental health provider indicating that she continues to make 
progress even though she suffers from residual symptoms of PTSD, 
generalized depression, and panic attacks; a copy of her AFFMS 
record, and copies of excerpts of her military personnel 
records.  The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, 
is at (Exhibit D).


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.  The 
applicant contends that she had a medical condition (panic 
attacks) that unfairly precluded her from attaining a passing 
score on the contested fitness assessment (FA).  After a 
thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s 
complete submission, to include her rebuttal response, we are 
convinced that corrective action is warranted.  We note the 
comments of AFPC/DPSIM indicating the evidence provided by the 
applicant is not sufficient to determine the specific medical 
condition she suffered from and how it precluded her from 
attaining a passing score; nevertheless, we believe that a 
preponderance of the evidence substantiates there was a strong 
causal nexus between her panic attacks and her inability to 
attain a passing score.  In this respect, we note the applicant 
has provided medical documentation and supporting statements 
from both her commander and fitness assessment monitor 
indicating that her panic attack caused her to be unable to 
finish the cardio component in an acceptable time.  While we 
note the Fitness Assessment Appeals Board (FAAB) denied the 
applicant’s request because, in their view, she should not have 
finished the cardio component once she became ill, we find this 
a questionable basis upon which to deny the requested relief 
when the preponderance of the evidence indicates that her 
medical condition kept her from timely completing the cardio 
component of the FA.  In this respect, we note the comments from 
the applicant’s commander indicating that neither he, nor his 
unit’s fitness assessment monitor, were aware that allowing the 
applicant to finish the cardio component once she became ill 
would result in the commander being unable to invalidate the 
test because, under the policy in effect at the time, a 
commander could only do so if the injury/illness prevented the 
member from completing the component.  Therefore, we recommend 
that the applicant’s 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 
1 Jul 13 Fitness Assessment (FA) score be declared void and 
removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS).


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-03924 in Executive Session on 24 Sep 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Ms. , Panel Chair
	Ms. , Member
	Mr. , Member

 The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Aug 13, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPSIMC, dated 3 Jan 14.
Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Feb 14.
Exhibit D.  Applicant, dated 10 Mar 14, w/atchs.