RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-04218 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His diagnosis of degenerative joint disease of the right wrist and right elbow be assessed as combat-related in order to receive compensation under the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) Act. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His joint disease of the right wrist and right elbow is related to his exposure and combat in the Persian Gulf. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 26 Jul 04, the applicant retired from the Air Force Reserves and was placed on the Retired Reserve List. He was credited with 32 years and 2 months of total service for basic pay. According to a letter dated 22 Nov 05, the applicant’s CRSC application for his right wrist and elbow was disapproved due to him not receiving compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) office. In order to be eligible for CRSC, the applicant must be receiving a percentage of their retirement compensation from the DVA. According to a letter dated 2 Aug 06, the applicant’s CRSC reconsideration request for limited motion of right wrist and bursitis in right elbow were disapproved, as he did not provide any documentation to confirm these conditions were the direct result of a combat-related event or events. According to Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) rating decision, dated 5 Feb 10, the applicant’s degenerative joint disease of the right wrist and olecranon bursitis of the right elbow was listed as service connected with a combined total of 40 percent disability rating, effective 24 Aug 09. According to a letter dated 22 Aug 14, the applicant’s CRSC application for limited motion of right wrist, tinnitus, and impaired hearing were disapproved, as he did not provide any documentation to support a qualifying combat-related event or events as the direct cause of a disability. According to a letter dated 3 Feb 15, the applicant’s CRSC application for his degenerative joint disease of the right wrist and right elbow, tinnitus and impaired hearing were partially approved, effective 1 Aug 08. The tinnitus and impaired hearing were approved at a 10 percent combined rating. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPFDC recommends denial, indicating the applicant’s claim does not meet the mandatory criteria for compensation under the CRSC program as outlined under Title 10 USC § 1413a and Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) Guidance. The supporting documentation provided does not confirm a combat- related event as the cause of his degenerative joint disease, right olecranon bursitis, and degenerative joint disease of the right wrist. The CRSC program was established to provide compensation to certain retirees with combat-related disabilities that qualify under established criteria. If the veteran fails to satisfy the preliminary CRSC criteria, no further consideration by their service department is required and the claim will be denied accordingly. If the veteran satisfies the preliminary CRSC criteria, the claim is reviewed for combat-related determination. The DVA awards service-connected disabilities based on their standards. They resolve doubt in the interest of the veteran and grant service connection for injuries or diseases incurred while in service. While service connection for disabilities is required for initial eligibility for CRSC consideration, CRSC criteria is more stringent. CRSC guidance requires objective documentary evidence in order to support a combat-related determination. Military Departments will determine whether a disability is combat-related using the definitions and criteria set forth in DD Form 2860, Claim for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC), Appendix A. The fact that a member incurred a disability while performing routine duties is not sufficient to support a combat-related determination without a direct relationship between the disability and a combat-related factor. There must be a definite, documented, causal relationship between the armed conflict, simulated armed conflict, hazardous service and the resulting disability. Documentation provided does not confirm a combat-related event as the direct cause of the applicant’s right wrist and elbow disabilities. The complete DPFDC evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 3 Jun 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). 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 timely filed. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. The available evidence of record does not support a finding that the applicant's service-connected medical conditions were 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. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt the rationale expressed 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. 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-2014-04218 in Executive Session on 8 Jul 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 11 Oct 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPFDC, dated 3 Feb 15. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Jun 15.