RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-03895
		INDEX CODE:  108.07
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  Not Indicated

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  24 Jun 06

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His service-connected medical conditions, hypertensive heart disease and impaired hearing, 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:

His hearing loss was first noted on 28 Jun 66 and progressed until it eventually ended his career.  During his entire career he was in training for direct and indirect combat.  He developed hypertension while on active duty and it progressively got worse through out his career.

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 18 Apr 52.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 Dec 71.  He served as a Ground Radio Repair Technician.  He voluntarily retired from the Air Force on 31 Jan 79, having served 24 years and 10 days on active duty.

His CRSC application was disapproved on 25 Feb 04, 30 Sep 04, and 7 Oct 04 based upon the fact that his service-connected medical condition was 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 hypertensive heart disease and impaired hearing are not combat related.  While performing military duties can be stressful and stress can be a contributing factor to heart disease, CRSC cannot be approved for this condition as combat related.  It is difficult to determine this factor as the definitive cause of the condition rather than other causes.  Impaired hearing cannot be considered combat related unless it is incidental to a combat related event or due to documented, continual, extensive exposure to combat related noise and the conditions were shown to have manifested while in service.  His records do show he suffered from hearing loss while in service; however, his Air Force Specialty is currently not eligible for compensation for impaired hearing unless evidence indicates he suffered from an acute combat related trauma.  Occasional exposure to aircraft noise is not sufficient to warrant compensation under existing program guidelines.  

The DPPD evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant reiterates his previous statements and provided a synopsis of his career and a brief summary of his medical history.  He states that loud noises are prevalent on every base or station.  His entire career was in support of some combat operation.  Most disabilities have a long incubation period and may not surface until the body's defenses have weakened or cannot fight them off.  

His complete response 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-2004-03895 in Executive Session on 12 Oct 05, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 Dec 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPD, dated 17 Mar 05.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 25 Mar 05.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 8 Apr 05.