RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01670 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His status be changed from non-combat related to combat related. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

His post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was directly related to 
his medical traumatic training experiences in Egypt during 
multinational combat missions, in Kosovo, working trauma and 
treating patients, straight out of the battle field. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of his special orders, AF Form 356, Findings 
and Recommended Disposition of USAF Physical Evaluation Board, 
and other medical documentation related to his request. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 28 August 2009, the applicant was placed on the temporary 
disability retired listed (TDRL) in the grade of staff sergeant. 

 

On 28 July 2009, an Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB) 
convened and diagnosed the applicant with PTSD, chronic, severe, 
associated with depressive disorder, not otherwise specified, 
moderate. The IPEB recommended he be placed on the TDRL with a 
disability rating of 70 percent and he be re-evaluated in six 
months. The IPEB also determined his disability was not the 
result of armed conflict or caused by an instrumentality of war. 
On 6 August 2009, the applicant concurred with the 
recommendation. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

 

 


AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSD recommends denial. DPSD states according to 
AFI 36-3212, Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, and 
Separation, the IPEB will make a combat-related disability 
determination for: Armed Conflict, Extra Hazardous Service, 
Conditions Simulating War and Instrumentality of War. DPSD 
states that a preponderance of evidence reflects that no error or 
injustice occurred during the disability process or at the time 
his of retirement. Upon review of the narrative summary, the 
IPEB determined the applicant’s medical conditions were not 
combat related. While his experiences were traumatic, in order 
for them to be considered combat related, he must have been a 
first responder or a combat medic in the field. It is noted the 
applicant did not exercise his two appeal rights to have his case 
reviewed by the Formal Physical Evaluation Board (FPEB) or rebut 
to the Secretary of the Air Force for their review to determine 
if his medical conditions were a direct result of armed conflict, 
caused by an instrumentality of war, incurred in line of duty 
during a period of ward and that it was the direct result of a 
combat related injury. 

 

The complete DPSD evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 
on 26 June 2010, for review and comment within 30 days. As of 
this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit 
D). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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; 
however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the 
office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the 
basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of 
an error or injustice. In the absence of evidence to the 
contrary, we find no 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-2010-01670 in Executive Session on 15 February 2011 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 


The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Apr 2010, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSD, dated 29 Jun 10. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Jul 10.