RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00880 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His records be corrected to reflect a 9W-series Reporting Identifier (RI) (denotes “Airmen who suffer a serious combat- related injury or illness)” in the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He is entitled to the 9W RI because he has a combat-related illness that is reflected in his Veterans Affairs Administration record. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of documentation showing that he was assigned a 30 percent disability rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), effective 8 Apr 14; and various other documents associated with his request. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, on 16 Feb 00, he entered the Regular Air Force. On 1 Sep 10, the applicant received an honorable discharge after serving 10 years, 6 months, and 16 days of total active service. AFI 34-1101, Warrior and Survivor Care states “In order to be awarded the 9W200 or 92W2 RI prior to the PEB final decision authority, a DoD medical authority (Primary Care Manager or Mental Health Provider) must confirm that the injury or illness is combat related. When the primary condition is within the mental health arena such as PTSD, a Mental Health Provider should make the final determination. The certifying medical authority should understand by doing so they may be authorizing personnel policy exemptions not afforded to others. After receiving the confirmation from a DoD medical authority, AFW2 leadership will make the final decision whether RI 9W200 or 92W2 will be awarded as it pertains to this paragraph based on all the evidence available.” IAW AFI 34-1101, Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) states in part that: Combat-related injured or ill Airmen may continue to participate in their current degree program of enrollment at the time of their separation or retirement. This provides them with sufficient time to complete their degrees because their careers were shortened unexpectedly by serious combat-related injury or illness. No new programs may be started after separation. To qualify, the Airman must have been awarded a 9W-series RI. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPFWM recommends denial. Since the applicant was diagnosed with PTSD four years post separation by the VA, he has never been enrolled in the Air Force Wounded Warrior (AFW2) Program and was presumed fit upon his voluntary separation. The VA benefits claim determination granted him 30 percent for PTSD; however, it does not mention how the applicant contracted PTSD. The applicant was not diagnosed with PTSD until Apr 14 and since the diagnosis, he is attempting to have a 9W series RI allowing him continued eligibility to complete his CCAF degree. To qualify for the 9W series RI, the applicant must be enrolled in the AFW2 program and medically boarded for a combat-related or severely ill/injured at the time of separation. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPFWM evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant provides a two-paged typed statement that he provided to the VA in support of his disability claim describing in detail two events that took place during his deployment in which he asserts were the cause of his diagnosis of PTSD. The applicant believes that despite him not seeking treatment for PTSD until Apr 14, this statement clearly indicates his symptoms started after his deployment but while he was still on active duty. 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 this case; however, we find no evidence of an error or injustice. While the applicant’s assertion that his PTSD symptoms started while he was on active duty is noted, he has not provided substantial evidence which, in our opinion, successfully refutes the assessment of his case by the Air Force OPR. Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the AF OPR and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof of either an error or an 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-2015-00880 in Executive Session on 29 Oct 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 Feb 15, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPFWM, undated. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Sep 15. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 6 Oct 15, w/atch.