RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-05374 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her uncharacterized service be changed. Her narrative reason for separation (Erroneous Entry – Other) be changed. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She was discharged for medical reasons - asthma/bronchitis and migraines. She completed Basic Military Training (BMT) and failed the asthma test and was released from the Air Force. She is a single mother and cannot receive Veteran’s benefits until this error is corrected. The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 27 November 2007. The applicant was notified by her commander of his intent to recommend that she be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208. The specific reason was the applicant’s diagnosis of asthma which was well within 180 days of entry into military service. According to DoD guidance, signs or symptoms of chronic disease identified within the first 180 days of service will be accepted as proof that the disease manifested prior to entrance into service. Asthma is a disqualifying condition for enlistment and therefore, she should not have been allowed to enlist. She was advised of her rights in this matter and waived her right to consult with counsel and to submit a statement on her own behalf. In a legal review of the case file, the assistant staff judge advocate found the case legally sufficient and recommended discharge. The discharge authority concurred with the recommendation and directed the applicant be discharged. The applicant was discharged on 15 April 2008 with an entry level separation. She served 4 months and 19 days on active duty. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AETC/SGPS recommends denial. SGPS states during Basic Military Training (BMT) she noted that she was having periods of chest tightness and shortness of breath. At first it was thought to be bronchitis and she was given an inhaler. She was using it prior to exercise and at night to sleep. As it was persistent she was seen in the allergy clinic where she was administered a methacholine challenge test which was positive, indicating asthma. Even though she had no symptoms of asthma prior to entering the service, it was determined to have existed prior to service and she was processed for separation. Based on the documentation on file in the applicant’s records, this office finds the separation was done in accordance with established policy and administrative procedures. The diagnosis is disqualifying for military service, it existed prior to and was aggravated by exercise. The complete SGPS evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial. DPSOR states the circumstances surrounding the diagnosis of a pre-existing medical condition require the applicant be discharged under the category of “Erroneous Entry” since the individual would have not been allowed entry into the Air Force if the relevant facts of the medical condition had been made known prior to enlistment. Therefore, the narrative reason for separation and the separation program designator (SPD) code as indicated on the DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, are correct. The applicant's service characterization is also correct. Airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days continuous active service for disqualifying medical conditions determined to have existed prior to service and not eligible for processing under AFI 36-3212, Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, and Separation. The Department of Defense (DoD) determined if a member served less than 180 days continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service. Therefore, the uncharacterized character of service is correct and in accordance with DoD and Air Force instructions. Based on the documentation on file in the master personnel records, the discharge to include the SPD code, narrative reason for separation and character of service was appropriately administered and within the discretion of the discharge authority. The applicant did not provide any evidence that an error or injustice occurred in the processing of her discharge. The complete DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 1 August 2014, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting her uncharacterized service be changed. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, 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 the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof of the existence of an error or injustice. In accordance with governing directives, airmen are given entry-level separation/uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 days continuous active service. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 4. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting partial relief. After a thorough review of the facts and circumstances of this case, we believe the applicant has been the victim of an injustice. We note the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility, indicating even though the applicant had no symptoms of asthma prior to entering the service, it was determined to have existed prior to service and she was processed for separation. However, we believe she has raised sufficient doubt regarding the equity and accuracy of the narrative reason. In this respect, we found no evidence of reported history of asthma prior to entering the service. We believe that this results in an injustice to the applicant, and it is appropriate to resolve this issue in her favor. Accordingly, we recommend her records be corrected to the extent indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 15 April 2008, she was discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208, paragraph 1.2, (Secretarial Authority) with a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of JFF. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-05374 in Executive Session on 16 September 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 10 November 2013. Exhibit B. Available Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AETC/SGPS, dated 23 December 2013. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 9 January 2014. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 August 2014.