RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:	BC-2008-02278 INDEX CODE:	108.00
COUNSEL:	NONE HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be processed through the disability evaluation system (DES).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was told by the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) that he should be able to receive retirement benefits from the Air National Guard (ANG) at this time by getting his records corrected to show that his Type II Diabetes is linked to his service connected Graves disease. In order to have his records corrected he needs to meet a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). He believes he was separated without being processed by the Disability Evaluation System (DES) and is entitled to meet an MEB to determine his eligibility for certain benefits.

In support of his request, applicant provides a copy of his legislative inquiry (to his Senator and Congressman) package, a copy of letters of support from civilian physicians, and a copy of an email.

His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Data extracted from the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) reflects the applicant served in the ANG and was credited with
16 years, 3 months, and 27 days of satisfactory service. Effective 21 May 09, he was assigned to the Retired Reserve awaiting pay at age 60.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

NGB/SGPA recommends denial. SGPA states the applicant has not provided any documentation to link his two diseases together and therefore, they cannot make a recommendation to have the applicant go through the DES. SGPA notes that Graves disease is not a disease automatically processed through the DES unless it was not controlled with therapy or the member remained medically

disqualified for worldwide duty. SGPA points out that if the medical conditions did not originate or were not aggravated while serving on active or inactive duty, a Line of Duty (LOD) determination would not be required.

The SGPA complete evaluation is at Exhibit B.
AFPC/A1PS recommends  denial. A1PS concurs with NGB/SGPA’s recommendation to deny the applicant’s request.

The A1PS complete advisory is at Exhibit C.
The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The Medical Consultant acknowledges the letters from the two physicians who indicated that Graves disease and Diabetes share an autoimmune mechanism; and the studies that show a higher prevalence of thyroid disorders among Diabetics, when compared to the normal population. However, the possible common autoimmune mechanism of impairment does not mean that one disease caused the other to occur; as there are diabetics without thyroid disease and persons with thyroid disease who are not diabetics.

The Medical Consultant’s complete evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 27 July 2009 and 31 July 2009 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has received no response.

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 an error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and do not find that it supports a determination that the applicant be processed through the DES. We note the applicant requests that the diagnosis of Graves Disease and Diabetes Mellitus, be found in the line of duty and he undergo DES processing;  however, the applicant has not provided evidence that his condition entitles him to a MEB. In addition, we found no evidence in the applicant’s available records or any other  medical condition that warranted his evaluation in the DES.  Accordingly, we agree with the opinions
1.	
and recommendations of the NGB Medical Evaluation and Disability Support Section and the BCMR Medical Consultant and adopt their 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.

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.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-02278 in Executive Session on 2 September 2009, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair 
Member 
Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 12 June 2008, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Letter, NGB/SGPA, dated 7 July 2009.
Exhibit C.	Letter, NGB/A1PS, dated 17 July 2009. Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 July 2009.
Exhibit E.	Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 27 July 2009. Exhibit F.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 July 2009.