RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00634
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His discharge status be changed to medical retirement.
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He began suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),
De Quervains, cervical strain, lower back condition,
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), along with numerous
scars during his military service and continues to manage pain
and stress on a daily basis. If he had received the appropriate
care and council, he would have been medically retired.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on
25 Jan 05 and served on active duty until 24 Jan 11, when he was
honorably discharged at the completion of his required active
service. He was credited with six years of total active
service.
According to the documentation submitted by the applicant, on
4 Jun 14, the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) issued him
the following service connected disability ratings:
a. Post-traumatic stress disorder - 50 percent.
b. Gastroesophageal reflux disease 10 percent.
c. Lower back condition (allopathic lesions of thoracis
spine, rib cage and sacral) 10 percent.
d. Cervical strain, nonallopathic lesions cervical spine
(upper back) 10 percent.
e. Post right De Quervains release (right thumb and
wrist) 10 percent.
f. Scars, right wrist surgery 10 percent.
g. Alopecia, Eczema right arm, Bilateral Plantar
Fasciitis, and Bilateral Patellofemoral Syndrome 0 percent.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are
contained in the memorandum prepared by the AFBCMR Medical
Consultant, which is attached at Exhibit C.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial indicating there is no
evidence of an error or an injustice. The evidence does not
establish that the applicant was unable to reasonably perform
his military duties due to one or more medical conditions during
his military service or at the time of his release from active
duty order. Although the applicant was evaluated and treated
for a number of episodic illnesses or injuries by the DVA, none
were shown to have interfered with his military service to the
extent or duration that warranted a Medical Evaluation Board
(MEB) and processing through the military Disability Evaluation
System (DES), under provisions of AFI 36-3212, Physical
Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, and Separation.
Operating under a different set of laws, with a different
purpose, the DVA is authorized to offer compensation for any
medical condition determined service incurred, without regard to
its demonstrated or proven impact upon a service members
fitness for continued service or narrative reason for release
from military service. This is the reason why an individual can
be found fit for release from active duty, only for one or more
conditions to be subsequently found service-connected by the
DVA, but which was/were not proven militarily unfitting during
the period of active service.
A complete copy of the AFBCMR Medical Consultants 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 16 Sep 14 for review and comment within 30 days
(Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by
this office.
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 applicants complete submission in judging the
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and
recommendation of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant and adopt his
rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not
been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, in the
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to
recommend granting the requested relief.
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-2014-00634 in Executive Session on 18 Dec 14, under
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 Feb 14, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFBCMR/Medical Consultant,
dated 20 Aug 14.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Sep 14.
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