RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	  DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-04517
		 	  COUNSEL:  NONE
   	  	          HEARING DESIRED:  NO
_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Reentry (RE) code of “4C” which denotes “Concealment of 
juvenile records; or minority or failure to meet physical 
standards; or failure to obtain 9.0 reading grade level” be 
changed to “1M” which denotes “Eligible to Reenlist.”    

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis while in Basic Military 
Training (BMT).  He has been reevaluated and he has no signs of 
atopic dermatitis.

He was recommended to apply for reenlistment if the condition 
was resolved.  

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty; a letter from his physician, and SF 600, Chronological 
Record of Medical Care.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 2 Apr 13, the applicant entered active duty.

On 21 May 13, he was recommended for administrative separation 
for atopic dermatitis, a disqualifying medical condition In 
Accordance With (IAW) DODI 6130.03, Medical Standards for 
Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services, 
Enclosure 22b.  It was the opinion of the medical provider that 
the condition existed prior to enlistment and that he not be 
considered for an enlistment waiver.

On 6 Jun 13, he received an entry level separation with an 
uncharacterized character of service, RE code “4C” and narrative 
reason for separation of “Discharge failed medical/physical 
procurement standards.” 
 

He served 2 months and 5 days on active duty.    

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOA recommends denial of the applicant’s request for a 
reenlistment eligible RE code.  He received an erroneous RE code 
on his DD Form 214.  The correct RE code is “2C” which denotes 
“Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge; or entry 
level separation without characterization of service” as 
required by AFI 36-2606, Reenlistments in the United States Air 
Force, chapter 5.  The RE code “2C” is required based on the 
entry level separation with an uncharacterized character of 
service and the applicant does not provide any evidence of an 
error or injustice to his RE code.  The applicant will be 
provided a corrected copy of his DD Form 214 with RE code of 
“2C” unless otherwise directed by the Board.   

The complete DPSOA evaluation is at Exhibit B.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Due to certain circumstances at BMT, a rash broke out on the 
skin of his eye lid.  He strongly believes he was misdiagnosed 
with atopic dermatitis.  He has been seen by two dermatologists 
since his discharge and both are in agreement they found nothing 
that should have disqualified him.  

At the time of his discharge, he was recommended to be able to 
come back in the Air Force if his condition was resolved.  He 
requests his RE code be changed to “1M” to allow reentry.  He is 
willing to be reevaluated by a military dermatologist to prove 
he does not have any signs of atopic dermatitis or other 
disqualifying conditions.  Otherwise, he would like to apply for 
a waiver to reenter the Air Force.  

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit D.

_________________________________________________________________

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial of the applicant’s 
request for reentry into active duty service due to a 
disqualifying skin disorder and recommends the change in the RE 
code to “2C.”  A medical progress note on 21 May 13 documents a 
diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, bilateral peri-orbital region, 
and indicates that the applicant’s skin condition is 
disqualifying for service entry per DODI 6130.03.  Progress 
notes further state that the applicant had a one year history of 
a peri-orbital rash which was never evaluated by a provider 
prior to BMT.  There was no documentation of treatment while in 
the military.  

Atopic dermatitis, a common form of eczema, is a chronic 
allergic hypersensitivity dermatological condition often 
associated with periods of intensely itchy, inflamed, crusty and 
dry skin.  It can occur in all age groups and often flares up 
due to environmental triggers.  The applicant submitted a letter 
from his civilian dermatologist dated 7 Aug 13 which states they 
only found mild xerosis on his left eyelid and no evidence of 
atopic dermatitis.  Xerosis (dry skin) is considered one of the 
associated findings which may present without over manifestation 
of the condition.  The Medical Consultant notes that this 
finding is not inconsistent with the flare and remission cycle 
often observed with this condition.  Furthermore, the Medical 
Consultant acknowledges that medically recognized periods of 
flares and remission will occur with this skin disorder and 
maintains that although the applicant’s skin examination did not 
reflect evidence of “full blown” disease the disease can still 
be present.  Therefore, the Medical Consultant concludes that 
the applicant has not met the burden of proof of an error or 
injustice with regards to the disqualifying diagnosis made by 
the dermatologist.  

The complete BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit 
E.  

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He was misdiagnosed at BMT with atopic dermatitis and the 
diagnosis was later corrected to conjunctivitis (pink eye).  In 
the final weeks of BMT, he observed severely dry skin around his 
brow and believed at the time it was pink eye.  He made the 
mistake of applying hand sanitizer to his face in an effort to 
disinfect any conjunctivitis and prevent further infection.  The 
hand sanitizer had an adverse effect and ended up drying out and 
damaging his skin. 

On 13 May 13, he was directed to the medical treatment facility 
and was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis.  He was recommended 
for discharge due to the disqualifying condition but was under 
the impression if his condition improved in six months he could 
reenlist.  

On 7 Aug and 17 Dec 13, he was evaluated by dermatologists who 
observed no evidence of atopic dermatitis or any disqualifying 
skin conditions.  Despite the misdiagnosed skin condition, he 
knows if given the opportunity he can complete BMT and serve in 
the Air Force with honor.

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit G.   

_________________________________________________________________

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 error or injustice.  We took notice 
of the applicant’s complete submission, to include the 
additional information provided by the applicant in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and 
recommendations of the Air Force Offices of Primary 
Responsibility (OPR) and adopt their rationale as the basis for 
our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an 
error or injustice.  Therefore, aside from the administrative 
correction of the applicant’s DD Form 214 to reflect the correct 
RE code of “2C,” we find no basis to recommend granting any of 
the relief sought in this application.  

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that 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-2013-04517 in Executive Session on 26 Jun 14 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

       , Panel Chair
       , Member
       , Member
       






The following documentary evidence in AFBCMR Docket Number BC-
2013-04517 was considered:

Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 Sep 13, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 15 Nov 13.  
Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Dec 13.  
Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atchs.  
Exhibit E.  Letter, Medical Consultant, dated 10 Apr 14.    
Exhibit F.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Apr 14.
Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant, dated 19 Apr 14, w/atchs.  




												
							PANEL CHAIR