RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-01156
		INDEX NUMBER:  108.02
		COUNSEL:  None

		HEARING DESIRED:  No

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His service-connected disabilities as documented in his military medical records be reevaluated to determine the maximum allowed rating percentage.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The severity of his disabilities was misdiagnosed during his retirement physical and thereafter.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant completed 26 years of active service and retired effective 1 May 1989 in the grade of master sergeant (E-7) due to maximum years of service allowed by policy.  The remaining facts relevant to this application are contained in the evaluation prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force found at Exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial of the applicant’s request.

The applicant requests that his records be corrected to show disability retirement for degenerative lumbar spine disease, his treated eye condition (lattice degeneration with retinal holes), and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

Evidence in the service medical record clearly documents a history of lumbar pain on an intermittent basis including pain thought to be consistent with sciata (pain radiating down the leg) suggesting irritation of the sciatic nerve root by a bulging disc.  Eleven years after retiring from the Air Force, he was diagnosed with spinal stenosis due to his degenerative spine disease and required surgery.  This is a very common condition occurring in nearly all people as they age.  Low back pain is also an extremely common complaint that does not correlate with the severity of x-ray changes.  Some people with normal x-rays complain of severe pain, and some with advanced x-ray changes have little or no pain.  The degenerative process is slow occurring over years (decades), and in some individuals can result in a condition called spinal stenosis.  There is no evidence that at the time of his retirement the applicant was experiencing any symptoms from his back that interfered with his fitness for duty.  In fact, he was playing racquetball in Dec 88, 4 months before retirement.

The applicant had a condition related to his nearsightedness called lattice degeneration with associated retina holes that was successfully treated in 1980 with cryopexy (surgical procedure that employs cold to stabilize the retina and arrest progression of the condition).  His vision was preserved and he remained on active duty.  His eye condition once treated was not unfitting for continued service and he experienced no further problems as documented by periodic ophthalmology examinations.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) is a common skin condition affecting the bearded area where shaving results in ingrown hairs producing inflamed bumps that itch, can become infected and produce undesirable cosmetic changes in pigmentation and cause scarring.  The condition resolves with cessation of shaving.  Air Force appearance standards do not allow a beard.  Affected members are allowed to maintain stubble under the supervision of the Pseudofolliculitis Barbae clinic, which are normally found at all bases.  The condition is not unfitting for military service.

Review of medical records does not disclose any evidence to support correction of records from length of service retirement to disability retirement.  Available records indicate the applicant was fit and medically qualified for continued military service, retention or appropriate separation and did not have any physical or mental defects which would have warranted consideration in the military disability system.

The complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant responded that he disagreed with all opinions in the BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation with the exception of the nearsightedness called lattice degeneration with associated retinal holes.  Applicant provides examples of specific portions that he disagrees with and discusses his present day medical condition. 

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

________________________________________________________________

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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.
_______________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of probable 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 Docket Number 01-01156 in Executive Session on 13 September 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 17 Apr 01, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Memorandum, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated
                17 Jul 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 22 Jul 02.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 20 Aug 02

                                   Panel Chair