RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-01663
		INDEX CODE:  108.07
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  Not Indicated

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  25 Nov 05

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His service-connected medical conditions, degenerative arthritis, prostate, peripheral neuropathy, and angioplasty, 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:

Applicant makes no contentions.  In support of his request, applicant provided a Patient Education excerpt.  His complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 8 Sep 52.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of technical sergeant, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 Aug 73.  He served as an Administrative Technician.  He voluntarily retired from the Air Force on 30 Apr 74, having served 20 years, 4 months, and 16 days on active duty.

His CRSC application was disapproved on 23 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 his conditions are not combat related.  There is no documentation in his service medical records to show what caused his degenerative arthritis.  His claims for prostate, peripheral neuropathy, and angioplasty are not rated by the DVA and CRSC cannot be approved for conditions not recognized as service connected.  The DPPD 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 9 Jul 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.  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-2004-01663 in Executive Session on 25 Apr 05, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 May 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPD, dated 30 Jun 04.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Jul 04.