RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:            09 MARCH 2004                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003092430

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Samuel A. Crumpler		Chairperson	
	Ms. Shirley L. Powell		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.

	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any).

THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:  

1.  The applicant requests, in effect, that her separation document be corrected to show that she completed 20 years, 7 months, and 2 days of active Federal service.

2.  The applicant states that as a result of a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), conducted in April 2000, she was “forced” to retire with 19 years, 4 months, and 29 days of service when her original ETS (Expiration Term of Service) date was 2 October 2001.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of the front pages of her Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and PEB, a copy of her retirement orders, a copy of her Enlisted Record Brief reflecting her ETS date, and a copy of her separation document.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 

1.  Information available to the Board indicates that the applicant entered active duty in March 1981 and served continuously until her retirement by reason of physical disability on 31 July 2000.  She held a primary specialty of 92G (Food Service Specialist) and a secondary specialty of 71L (Administrative Specialist).  She was promoted to pay grade E-7 in June 1993.  Her Enlisted Record Brief confirms that her scheduled ETS date was 2 October 2001.

2.  In August 1999 the applicant was issued a permanent physical (P-3 and L-3) profile for knee pain and a heart condition.  The profile recommended that she avoid “prolonged exposure [to] physical, emotionally, stressful situations.”

3.  An October 1999 statement from her unit commander indicated that the applicant had been “diagnosed with Pulmonary Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)” in November 1997 and underwent surgery for the condition in January and March 1998.  She noted that the applicant’s heart condition prohibited her from performing at maximum effort and is exacerbated by physical and emotional stress.  The commander noted that the applicant was performing duties in her secondary specialty and indicated that the applicant should be “retained in the United States Army” and that her secondary specialty be reclassified as her primary specialty.  

4.  On 18 November 1999 the applicant appeared before a MOS/Medical Retention Board (MMRB).  During the board the applicant expressed a strong 

desire to be reclassified and her chain of command supported that reclassification.  The MMRB concluded, however, that the applicant’s condition prevented deployment in any specialty and recommended she be referred for disability processing.

5.  On 22 February 2000 the applicant underwent a MEB.  The MEB concluded that the applicant suffered from Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachytardia which was unresponsive to ablation or medication, and that the condition was worsened by stress.  It also noted that she suffered from bilateral degenerative joint disease in his knees. The MEB recommended that the applicant be referred to a PEB.  The applicant indicated, by her signature on the MEB proceedings, that she did not desire to remain on active duty and that she concurred with the findings and recommendation of the MEB.

6.  An informal PEB concluded, on 12 April 2000, that the applicant’s heart and knee conditions rendered her physically unfit and recommended that she be retired by reason of physical disability with a combined disability rating of 40 percent.  The applicant indicated, by her signature on the PEB proceedings, that she concurred with the findings and recommendation of the PEB and waived her right to a formal hearing.

7.  A counseling checklist, authenticated by the applicant on 25 April 2000, indicated that she had been counseled regarding the procedures for requesting continuance on active duty, as well as the procedures for appealing both the MEB and PEB findings and recommendations.

8.  The PEB proceedings were approved and on 31 July 2000 the applicant was retired by reason of physical disability in pay grade E-7.  She had completed 
19 years, 4 months, and 29 days of active Federal service at the time of her retirement.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Contrary to the applicant’s contentions, evidence available to the Board indicates that she was an active participant in her disability processing and concurred with findings and recommendations of both the MEB and the PEB.  She also acknowledged that she had been counseled regarding procedures for requesting continuation on active duty if she so desired.  Although she may have had less than 15 months until her scheduled ETS date, there is no evidence she took any action to request continuation on active duty in lieu of retirement by reason of physical disability.  There is no evidence that she was “forced” to retire as she contends.

2.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy that requirement.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__SAC__  __SLP  __  ___BJE _  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.

		___Samuel A. Crumpler___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003092430	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20040309	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	108.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.