RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBERS:  BC-2003-03036
		INDEX CODE 110.02  108.10
	 	COUNSEL:  None

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  Yes

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His 2002 entry-level separation (ELS) be changed to a medical discharge. 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) diagnosed high blood pressure (BP) and still allowed him to enter the military without informing him of the condition. His life was threatened by the possibility of suffering a heart attack during extensive physical training without being on medication. He wants to receive full medical/educational benefits and a monthly stipend.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

A civilian medical entry prior to enlisting, dated 25 Oct 00, indicated the applicant’s BP was 118/72.

A Report of Medical Examination at the MEPS, dated 8 Aug 01, reflected a BP of 140/82. 

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 20 May 02, in the grade of airman first class for a period of six years.  He completed basic military training and entered technical school as a traffic management apprentice. 

Evaluation of the applicant over five consecutive days (7-13 Sep 02) showed elevation of BP in the mildly hypertensive range. He was counseled regarding a low salt diet pending laboratory evaluation and follow-up. 

A 13 Sep 02 medical entry diagnosed hypertension and tachycardia. Also noted was the BP reading of 140/82 on the MEPS physical and that the applicant was unaware of the condition. His condition was determined to be disqualifying for service and to have existed prior to service (EPTS).

On 2 Oct 02, a civilian physician provided medical records dating back to 1996 and asserted the applicant had a history of normal BP readings while under his care.

A 22 Oct 02 reading by his civilian physician showed the applicant’s BP was 140/82.

On 23 Oct 02, the applicant was notified of his commander’s intent to recommend an honorable discharge for erroneous enlistment based on the 13 Sep 02 diagnosis of EPTS hypertension and tachycardia. The applicant provided a statement for consideration and the commander recommended his honorable discharge for erroneous enlistment. However, on 4 Nov 02, the recommendation letter was amended to reflect a recommendation for an ELS rather than an honorable discharge. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the amended notification/recommendation to reflect ELS.

On 4 Nov 02, the case was found to be legally sufficient and the discharge authority approved the ELS.

The applicant was separated with an uncharacterized ELS on 7 Nov 02, after 5 months and 18 days of active service. Airmen are in entry-level status during the first 180 days of continuous active military service and, if administratively separated during this period, receive an ELS. This separation does not attempt to characterize the type of service as either good or bad. The applicant was issued a separation program designator (SPD) code of “JFC” (Erroneous Entry) and a reenlistment eligibility (RE) code of “2C” (Involuntarily Separated with an Honorable Discharge or ELS).

In order to qualify for Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits, a member is required to complete 36 months of active duty (or 24 months of active duty followed by 48 months of Reserve duty).  However, members separated early for the following reasons may be eligible for MGIB benefits:  Convenience of the Government (must have served at least 30 months), disability, hardship, an EPTS medical condition, a condition that interfered with performance of duty, or a reduction-in-force (RIF). When discharged for an EPTS condition, the benefit is a month-for-month benefit (i.e., the number of months served equals the number of months of benefit, assuming the member elected to participate in the program at the time of enlisted). The available records do not indicate whether or not the applicant elected MGIB benefits.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Consultant advises that medical standards for enlistment indicate that BP over 140/90 (based on three consecutive readings) is disqualifying for enlistment. In addition, a history of hypertension treated with medication or diet is disqualifying. The applicant’s BP at the MEPS was not disqualifying. However, medical standards for enlistment apply to all Air Force members in their first six months of service and the applicant’s BP was clearly disqualifying. Evidence of the record shows he was developing high BP prior to entry onto active duty. Further, chronic conditions such as hypertension that develop within the first six months of service are presumed to have EPTS. For early stage high BP in the absence of other risk factors, non-pharmacological management is appropriate during the initial stages of evaluation. There is no evidence that active military service permanently aggravated his condition beyond its natural progression. Action and disposition complied with governing directives and the appeal should be denied.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 5 Mar 04 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.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice warranting partial relief. With regard to the applicant’s stated request, we agree with the rationale and recommendation of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant that a medical discharge is unwarranted. In this regard, the applicant’s BP at the MEPS was not disqualifying and, for early-stage high BP absenting other risk factors, non-pharmacological management is appropriate during initial stages of evaluation. As noted by the Consultant, the applicant’s BP was presumed to have EPTS, and the applicant presents no evidence active military service permanently aggravated his condition beyond its natural progression. This, coupled with the fact that the applicant served for less than six months, renders the uncharacterized ELS appropriate. However, while the SPD code and narrative reason of “Erroneous Entry” are technically accurate, we believe this definition could inadvertently imply a negative action on the part of the applicant. The applicant did not know he had the condition and, in our view, an SPD code and narrative reason of “JFF/Secretarial Authority” would give a more neutral impression of the applicant’s separation. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

4.	The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that, in conjunction with his entry level separation on 7 November 2002, he was issued a separation program designator code of “JFF,” instead of “JFC,” and a narrative reason of “Secretarial Authority,” rather than “Erroneous Entry.”

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 21 April 2004 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence relating to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-03036 was considered:

   Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 Aug 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C. Letter, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 18 Feb 04.
   Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Mar 04.

                                   

AFBCMR BC-2003-03036

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to    , be corrected to show that, in conjunction with his entry level separation on 7 November 2002, he was issued a separation program designator code of “JFF,” instead of “JFC,” and a narrative reason of “Secretarial Authority,” rather than “Erroneous Entry.”