RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00914 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be awarded the Purple Heart (PH). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He sustained an injury during a 2009 deployment to International Security Assistance Force Headquarters (ISAF/HQ) in Kabul, Afghanistan. He reported to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) medical clinic; however, no official records were maintained for a visit unless there was a need for a medical evacuation from the area. He was given motrin and released. The medical facility at ISAF/HQ was staffed by NATO and there was no follow-up. He reported the suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) incident upon his in-processing and return to the United States. His Veterans Administration (VA) caseworker brought it to his attention, while preparing required paperwork and medical clearance, that his eligibility for the PH was an oversight. His tour of duty was very traumatic for him because of several VBIED attacks, terrorist incidents during the elections, and the loss of Coalition personnel. He has supporting statements from two NATO officers that he worked with in the ISAF/HQ press desk and one from the joint ISAF Public Affairs team attesting to the incident. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 1 January 2015, the applicant retired in the grade of master sergeant (E-7). He was credited with 22 years and 28 days of total active service. The PH is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded, killed, or who have died or may hereafter die of wounds received in action against an enemy or the United States or opposing force as a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed force, an international terrorist attack or during military operations while serving as a part of a peacekeeping force. A wound for which the award is made must have required treatment, not merely examination, by a medical officer. Additionally, treatment of the wound shall be documented in the service member’s medical and/or health record. Award of the PH may be made for wounds treated by a medical professional other than a medical officer, provided a medical officer includes a statement in the service member’s medical record that the extent of the wounds were such that they would have required treatment by a medical officer if one had been available to treat them. 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/DPSID recommends denial. After a thorough review of the applicant’s official military personnel record there is no verification for award of the PH. Specifically, there is no detailed personal account of the incident, medical documentation or a statement from a medical officer (military or civilian). As such, the applicant’s request is incomplete and cannot be forwarded to the United States Air Forces Central Command (USAFCENT) for consideration. The original award approval authority for the PH specifically for Global War on Terrorism operations is USAFCENT. In order for the applicant’s request to be forwarded, the following is required: 1) A detailed personal account of the circumstances surrounding the applicant’s injury to include specifics as to how the applicant was injured, exact date of injury, unit of assignment, and rank held at the time injured. 2) Medical documentation to substantiate medical treatment was received. If medical documentation is not available, a statement from a medical officer (military or civilian) attesting that an examination revealed that an injury of the type incurred would or should have received medical treatment may be submitted. Statements from individuals not substantiated by either medical or official records will not be considered sufficient evidence of wounds. Concerning service-related conditions noted by the VA, the injury must have been a direct result of the enemy and meet the PH criteria. Unfortunately not all service-connected conditions, as determined by the VA, meet the criteria for the award. 3) If possible, an eyewitness account from an individual who saw the applicant injured and can attest to the circumstances surrounding the applicant’s personal account. While the applicant has provided three statements from personnel that were in Kabul, Afghanistan in the compound at the time of an attack, his request did not contain a detailed personal account from himself, to include the exact date of injury, what his claimed injury is, or any medical documents to substantiate any medical treatment was required and received. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant provided a detailed personal account of the circumstances surrounding his injury to include specifics to how he was injured, the exact date of the injury, his unit of assignment and the position in which he held. In support of his response, the applicant provides copies of a statement from his chiropractic physician, a joint service commendation medal citation, an article regarding the suicide car bombing, and related photographs. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. 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 warranting favorable action on the applicant’s request that he be awarded the Purple Heart (PH). While we note the comments of AFPC/DPSID indicating that his application was incomplete, it now appears that he has since provided additional information that should be reviewed and considered by the United States Air Forces Central Command. Based on the initial evidence provided, we agree that the actions by the OPR were appropriate to the circumstances and their conclusion that the applicant’s request was incomplete for consideration. However, we have been advised by AFPC/DPSID that the additional information should be forwarded to afcent.a1udpuboardteamshaw@afcent.af.mil, for further review and consideration by the approval authority. Therefore, in view of the above, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 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-2015-00914 in Executive Session on 15 October 2015 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 March 2015, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 8 July 2015. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 September 2015. Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 16 September 2015, w/atchs.