RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:		DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-02893
			INDEX CODE:  110.02, 108.10
			COUNSEL:  NONE

			HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her medical conditions that were determined to have existed prior to service (EPTS) be corrected to reflect that they were not EPTS.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

At no time prior to her service was she diagnosed with any of these conditions.  There were no signs or symptoms of these conditions until diagnosed in the year 2002 and 2003 while serving in the Air Force.

In support of her submission, the applicant provided a copy of the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) findings and recommendations and documents extracted from her medical records.  Her complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted into the Regular Air Force on 18 October 2000 and served as a Surgical Services Technician.  In the fall of 2002, she developed symptoms subsequently diagnosed as mild intermittent asthma, a condition disqualifying for worldwide duty.  She underwent a medical evaluation board and on 19 June 2003, the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB) found her unfit for continued military service due to asthma.  The IPEB identified the presence of other medical conditions (mitral valve prolapse, a history of back pain, and a genetic deficiency of a clotting factor (Factor V Leiden) that could be, but were not unfitting at the time of her disposition, and also noted these conditions were EPTS.  On 25 June 2003, the applicant concurred with the findings and recommendations of the IPEB and was honorably discharged on 7 August 2003 with severance pay at 10%.  She was credited with 2 years, 9 months and 20 days of active military service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial.  The Medical Consultant states that the applicant was disability discharged due to a diagnosis of asthma.  Her other medical conditions were not the reason she was referred into the Disability Evaluation System and were not at the time of disposition, unfitting for continued service.  Two of her conditions are genetic, development conditions that clearly existed prior to entering service regardless of when the actual diagnosis was made.  Her back pain requiring treatment is a common condition experienced by many active duty members and was not of a severity to warrant disability evaluation.  The history of a back injury in high school reported to her physician is why the IPEB concluded her recurrent low back pain existed prior to service.  Regardless, the back pain was not the reason for her referral into the Disability Evaluation System.

The DVA is chartered to offer compensation and care to all eligible veterans for any service connected disease or injury without regard to whether it was unfitting for continued military service.  The DVA is also empowered to reevaluate veterans periodically for the purpose of changing their disability awards if their level of impairment varies over time.

The BCMR Medical Consultant's evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 6 February 2004 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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.  Evidence has not been presented which would lead us to believe that the applicant's disability processing and the rating she received at final disposition was contrary to the governing Air Force instruction and the law.  The opinion and recommendation of the BCMR Medical Consultant appears to be based on the evidence of record and has not been refuted by the applicant.  Therefore, we adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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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.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-02893 in Executive Session on 16 Mar 04, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 25 Aug 03.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCME Medical Consultant, dated 20 Jan 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Feb 04.