RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00741
		INDEX CODE:  108.07
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  10 Sep 05

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His service-connected medical conditions, knee prosthesis (both knees), traumatic arthritis (left wrist and elbow), limited motion of wrist, and traumatic injury to the ear canals, be assessed as combat related in order to qualify for compensation under the Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) Act.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He would not have any of the disabilities if he had not attended survival school at Stead AFB, NV.  His injury was incurred while attending survival training.  He also has Diver's Ear, the result of flying 151.6 hours in one month in January 1968.

In support of his request, applicant provided documentation associated with his CRSC application.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 29 Dec 48.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of master sergeant, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 Feb 68.  He served as an Inflight Refueling Technician, a Weapons Mechanic, and an Aircraft Engine Mechanic.  He voluntary retired from the Air Force on 30 Jun 72, having served 23 years and 18 days on active duty.

His CRSC application was disapproved on 12 Apr 04 based upon the fact that his service-connected medical conditions were determined not to be combat-related.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPD recommends denial.  DPPD states a review of his service and DVA medical records show these conditions are not combat related. The applicant attended Survival School in 1963 and his records indicate his knees were injured in 1963, but there is no documentation that the training caused the injury.  An entry dated 1 Sep 54 states he sustained an injury to his left elbow when lifting a heavy box.  An entry dated Jan 26 states he fractured his right wrist when he struck a mechanical object.  Neither of these incidents are considered to be combat related.  There is no evidence that his traumatic injury to the ear canals, which was attributed to his career as an aircrew member, was due to a specific acoustic trauma or manifested while in service.  His records do not show, while in service, a combat-related event or events that were the direct cause of his disabilities.  

The DPPD evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant responded and provided copies of documentation extracted from his flight records.  His complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E.

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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.  After a thorough review of the available evidence of record, it is our opinion that the service-connected medical conditions the applicant believes are combat-related were not incurred as the direct result of armed conflict, while engaged in hazardous service, in the performance of duty under conditions simulating war, or through an instrumentality of war, and therefore, do not qualify for compensation under the CRSC Act.  We agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its 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-2004-00741 in Executive Session on 1 Jun 05, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 12 Feb 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPD, dated 23 Jun 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Jul 04.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, not dated, w/atchs.