RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-04848

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her narrative reason for separation be changed from “Pregnancy” to “Condition that Interferes with Duty-Disability.”  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She could not work consistently due to her high risk pregnancy.  She was often placed on bedrest and hospitalized.  She is trying to get a Veteran Affairs (VA) loan to purchase a house and would like to have this cleared up.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s military personnel records indicate she enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 13 July 1987.  

On 24 June 1988, the applicant was issued an AF Form 422, Physical Profile Serial Report, due to pregnancy, which exempted her from being world-wide qualified, until 17 February 1989.  

On 13 July 1988, the applicant requested separation under the provisions of Air Force Regulation (AFR) 39-10, Administrative Separation of Airmen (Pregnancy or Childbirth), to be effective 1 November 1988.  

On 1 November 1988, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, with a narrative reason for separation of “Pregnancy/Childbirth.”  She was credited with 1 year, 3 months, and 19 days of total active service.

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 Consultant recommends denial.  A review of the records provided by the applicant indicate she was diagnosed with intrauterine pregnancy in or around March 1988 with an estimated date of delivery 17 January 1989.  A pregnancy profile was issued on 24 June 1988, which contained standard restrictions for physical exertion and mobilization.  No documentation of high risk pregnancy complications, special restrictions or the obstetrical progress notes was included for medical review.  While the applicant states her administrative discharge was a duty related matter, a review of the limited documentation reveals insufficient evidence to support this position.  To the contrary, standard pregnancy restrictions and disqualification for worldwide mobilization, as would be standard practice for pregnancy service members as progression is made, is noted.  There was no documentation from an obstetrician regarding high risk pregnancy or medical complications.  Furthermore, even if the pregnancy was considered high risk, there was insufficient evidence of any adverse effect to the applicant’s military service.  Special note is made of the memorandum generated by the applicant requesting administrative separation.  Specifically, she requested to be separated due to being married to another military member and she felt the proper place for her to be was in the home with her husband and newborn child.  Subsequently, her request was approved.  It is of opinion that the applicant requested administrative separation due to family obligations and not a high risk pregnancy that imposed special duty restrictions.  

A complete copy of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant evaluation is at Exhibit C.  

AFPC/DP2STM-SEP recommends denial.  The applicant’s discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority.  Moreover, there was no evidence of an error or injustice found in the discharge processing.  The applicant was separated under the provisions of AFR 39-10.  Applicants who request separation for pregnancy under this authority are only required to submit an Air Force Form 422, Physical Profile Serial Report, confirming the pregnancy that must be signed by a designating profiling officer.  The request is sent to the applicant’s immediate commander for recommendation and is then forwarded to the base separation’s authority for final decision.  If approved, a separation date is established and the discharge processing for the applicant can begin.  Pregnancy/childbirth separations are not classified under any separation program designator (SPD) code termed “conditions that interfere with duty-disability.”  Individuals who become pregnant and voluntarily request to separate accordingly are approved for separation under “pregnancy/childbirth.”  Pregnancy/Childbirth is not classified as a disability under the separations regulation/guidance.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2STM-SEP evaluation is at Exhibit D.
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation and the BCMR Medical Consultant was forwarded to the applicant on 13 June 2016 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 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 the case; however, we agree with the opinions and recommendations of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and the BCMR Medical Consultant 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-2015-04848 in Executive Session on 2 March 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-04848 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 November 2015.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 
                 1 April 2016.  
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2STM-SEP, dated 19 April 
                 2016.  
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 13 June 2016.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.