RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03360
		INDEX CODE:  100.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, be corrected to reflect that he was not provided a complete dental examination and all appropriate dental services and treatment within 90 days prior to separation.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should be entitled to dental benefits to permanently replace a tooth.

In support of his request, applicant provided a statement from a Department of Veterans Affairs dentist.  His complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 30 Jun 99.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 2 Dec 02.  On 29 Jun 03, he was voluntary discharged after completion of his required service.  He served 4 years on active duty.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial.  The Medical Consultant states the applicant entered active duty with a crown on his right upper front tooth that later became loose and resulted in tooth extraction and fitting with a denture.  He was offered a prosthodontics evaluation, however he missed his scheduled appointment.  His impending date of separation precluded initiating prosthodontic therapy.  Dental restoration is an elective service, not an entitlement, dependent on the availability of service, dental indications and adequate time to complete the procedures.  The applicant was provided a complete dental examination and all appropriated dental services and treatment within 90 days prior to separation in accordance with policy.  The Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit C.

USAF/SGCD states the applicant received an examination and all appropriate dental services and treatment within 90 days prior to his separation.  Prosthodontic treatment of his tooth was satisfactory and is within the defined Air Force Active Duty Scope of Care.  Additional treatment to replace the tooth was deemed elective.  The SGCD evaluation is at Exhibit D.  

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 20 Feb 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.  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, evidence has not been presented which would lead us to believe that he was not provided the appropriate dental examination and services as required by the governing instruction.  We agree with the opinions and recommendation of the Air Force offices 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.

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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-2003-03360 in Executive Session on 31 Mar 04, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Sep 03, w/atch.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 2 Feb 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, USAF/SGCD, dated 4 Feb 04.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 20 Feb 04.