RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-04857

	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded Combat Related Special Compensation (CRCS) for his combat related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was a direct result of combat missions during his service in Bagram Afghanistan as an airborne sensor operator.  Insurgents with mortars attacked his base and he witnessed numerous deaths through his camera during his flight combat missions.  He saw firsthand the death and destruction resulting from the required duties as a sensor operator.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 28 Jul 13, the applicant was medically retired in the grade of Air Force senior airman.  His narrative reason for separation on his AF Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty is Retirement Disability, Temporary, Enhanced.  

On 21 Nov 14, the applicant’s request for CRSC for his PTSD was denied, citing no evidence of specific “combat” stressors.

On 14 Aug 15, the applicant received partial approval of his CRSC request. He was granted 10 percent for tinnitus, however his request for his PTSD was denied, citing no correlating evidence to confirm this disability was the direct result of a combat-related event.

On 21 Mar 17, the applicant’s request for CRSC for PTSD was denied, citing no new or relevant information was furnished to warrant an approval.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPFDC recommends denying the application.  The applicant states his PTSD was incurred as a result of indirect fire attacks while deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.  He attributed his PTSD to awareness of the death of individuals; however, he was not directly involved in the events that caused the deaths.  When making combat-related determinations for PTSD under the Armed Conflict criteria the board looks for instances of direct combat exposure, such as direct exposure to gunfire or mortar attack, PTSD events attributed to the death of individuals, where the applicant was not directly involved in the event that caused the death(s) (such as caring for wounded or dead), do not qualify for CRSC.  This lack of evidence prevents consideration under current CRSC criteria.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 29 Dec 17 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant did exhaust all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DPFDC and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  The applicant has failed to provide definitive evidence to confirm his PTSD was the direct result of a combat related event.  To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by Title 10 U.S.C., Section 1413a, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Guidance.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-04857 in Executive Session on 25 Apr 18:

Panel Chair
Panel Member
Panel Member

The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 18 Oct 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion w/atchs, AFPC/DPFDC, dated 13 Nov 17.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 29 Dec 17.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.