RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-01020 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: She meet a medical evaluation board (MEB) to rate her back injuries and for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She was diagnosed with PTSD prior to leaving the military in 2006 and was never provided the opportunity to meet an MEB. The Life Skills provider stated an MEB was unnecessary because she was separating. The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) used the PTSD diagnosis to rate her. In support of her request, the applicant provides extract copies from her medical records and her DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 12 April 1994 and was progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 28 September 2001. She was honorably discharged for completion of required active service on 28 January 2006 after serving 11 years, 9 months and 17 days. On 6 June 2005, the applicant was diagnosed with anxiety disorder. She has no profile restrictions to reflect that she was restricted in the performance of her military duties because of a psychiatric disorder. On 9 July 2009, the DVA awarded the applicant a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD, a 10 percent rating for arthritis thoraculumbar spine and a 10 percent rating for migraine headaches. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application is contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The Medical Consultant states the applicant has not met the burden of proof, with the evidence supplied, of an error or injustice that warrants a change to her record. There is insufficient evidence to show the applicant’s PTSD rendered her unfit at the time of separation. The mere existence of a particular medical diagnosis does not automatically render a service member unfit for military service. The applicant had initiated treatment in June 2005 and achieved an improvement in her overall functioning, and was worldwide qualified throughout the period of treatment. The Department of Defense Instruction 1332.38, Physical Disability Evaluation, states if the evidence establishes that the service member adequately performed his or her duties until the time the service member was referred for physical evaluation, the member may be considered fit for duty. Regardless of the presence of illness or injury, inadequate performance of duty, by itself, shall not be considered as evidence of unfitness due to physical disability unless is is established that there is a cause and effect relationship between the two factors. The BCMR Medical Consultant’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant states she should have received an MEB prior to leaving the service in 2006. After returning from Iraq in April 2005, she was diagnosed with PTSD. The Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), deaths along with other events while in Iraq took its toll on her. After five years, she is still dealing with insommia, nightmares, medication, anxiety attacks, smoking and continuous drinking. She has even at times thought about taking her life. The applicant also states she is offended by the recommendation of the Medical Consultant. It is sad the very people who fought and are still fighting for this country are being turned down for assistance after service to their country. 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. The available evidence of record does not support a finding that her medical conditions warrant a change in her record. While the applicant takes offense with the recommendation of the Medical Consultant and argues that she should have met an MEB prior to her separation, the fact of the matter is, the mere presence of a medical condition does not qualify a member for disability evaluation. For an individual to be considered unfit for military service there must be a medical condition so severe that it prevents performance of duties commensurate with rank and experience. Therefore, we do not find her assertions and documentation provided, in and by themselves, sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the BCMR Medical Consultant. Accordingly, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the BCMR Medical Consultant and adopt the rationale expressed, as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that 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-2010-01020 in Executive Session on 5 January 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 12 Feb 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 23 Sep 10. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Sep 10. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 6 Nov 10, w/atchs.