RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-03777 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NOT INDICATED APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His retirement be changed to a medical retirement instead of a standard retirement. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He should have been medically retired from the Air Force due to being medically disqualified because of his diagnosis with diabetes insipidus. He was unable to deploy due to this condition and was forced to retire even though his unit recommended him for retention. At the time, he was unaware he could appeal the decision to request to be medically retired. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant initially entered the Air Force Reserve on 19 Feb 75. On 6 Jun 01, a memo from the 434th MXS/CC addressed to HQ AFRC/DPMF consists of responses to a Member Utilization Questionnaire. In response to certain questions, the commander advised that “member is currently able to perform his duties with light duty restrictions, lifting no more than 10 lbs., and no exertion that would cause heavy breathing.” The commander also acknowledged that the applicant was assigned to a unit type code (UTC) position, but that the unit was “rarely tasked to deploy.” The commander indicated that the applicant’s medical condition did not hinder his ability to satisfactorily perform in duties within the past year and highly recommended retention in his, then, current AFSC, citing the fact that he was scheduled to assist another organization with resolving a significant equipment inspection backlog and the fact that he “possess[ed] critical technical skills needed to maintain aircraft survival equipment and train fellow technicians.” On 10 Jul 02, the applicant was notified he was found unfit to perform the duties of his office, grade, rank or rating by the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB). On 16 Jul 02, the applicant acknowledged his rights to a Formal Physical Evaluation Board (FPEB). He did not desire to have his case be referred to the FPEB for a fitness determination. On 9 Aug 02, according to the applicant’s AF Form 131, Application for Transfer to the Retired Reserve, the applicant requested transfer to the Retired Reserve in lieu of administrative discharge for physical disqualification, effective 30 Aug 02. On 30 Aug 02, the applicant was transferred to the Retired Reserve to await retired pay at age 60. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFBCMR Medical Consultation recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. IAW AFI 48-123, Medical Standards for Continued Military Service, likely in effect at the time of his military service, Diabetes insipidus is listed among endocrine conditions requiring a Medical Evaluation Board for active duty members and a worldwide duty evaluation for ARC members when appropriate. Specifically, the policy reads, “Diabetes insipidus, requiring antidiuretic hormone replacement therapy” is disqualifying. With respect to the applicant’s contention for being “medically retired,” first, his condition must be found in line of duty. That is, if the condition was diagnosed while performing duty of 30 days or less, there must be evidence that the condition was the proximate result of [caused by] or was permanently aggravated by military service. However, ARC members who have completed at least eight years of active service may be eligible for a medical separation or retirement, under 10 U.S.C., 1207A [“Eight-Year Rule”], and if the member was serving a period of active service [31 days or more] when the condition was found disqualifying or unfitting by a Physical Evaluation Board. There is no evidence supplied to indicate the applicant’s Diabetes insipidus met either of the aforementioned criteria. Although a unit commander’s retention recommendation is strongly considered in Physical Evaluation Board decisions, the overarching responsibility for maintaining a mission ready fighting force rested with medical officials at the at Headquarters level and the Physical Evaluation Board. Thus, it appears that the Informal Physical Evaluation Board, placed greater importance and emphasis on the recommendation of AFRC/SGPA and the potential health and mission degradation risks in the rare event that the unit was called to deploy. An 11 Apr 02 memo from HQ AFRC/SGPA, Chief, Aerospace Medicine Division, addressed to the applicant’s servicing medical unit, states “We have reviewed the medical documentation submitted on subject member and determined that he is medically disqualified for continued military duty.” The advisory review and recommendation by AFPC/DPFD states the applicant’s desired action differently, as follows: “The applicant is requesting the Fitness Case for his Diabetes Insipidus condition be considered in line of duty and reviewed as a medical evaluation board.” The memo indicates that the applicant was found unfit by the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB) on 27 Jun 02 for the condition of Diabetes insipidus and that the applicant concurred with the findings of the IPEB on 16 Jul 02. The applicant reportedly did not appeal the decision to the FPEB and on 9 Aug 02, requested to be transferred to the Retired Reserve effective 30 Aug 02. A complete copy of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPFDD recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. A review of the applicant’s file indicates he was referred to the Disability Evaluation System for a determination of fitness for duty and was found unfit by the IPEB for the condition of diabetes insipidus. On 23 Jul 02, he concurred with the findings and waived his right to appeal the unfit decision to the Formal Board. On 9 Aug 02, the applicant requested transfer to the Retired Reserve, effective 30 Aug 02. The applicant was provided the opportunity to appeal the IPEB recommendation of medical disqualification, but chose to accept the finding and transfer to the Retired Reserve. Additionally, the applicant has not met the burden of proof of error or injustice to warrant a change of the record. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPFDD evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 2 Apr 15 for review and comment 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. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant and Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2014-03777 in Executive Session on 14 May 15, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-03777 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Sep 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 9 Mar 15. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFPC/DPFDD, dated 23 Mar 15. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Apr 15.