RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00542 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: YES 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty, be changed to reflect he was medically retired due to Post-
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He had two incidents he endured while on active duty, serving in 
Security Forces within a combat theater. 

 

The mention of his mental state to his leadership would have 
resulted in him having fear of reprisal from them and his 
colleagues. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal 
statement, copies of his DD Form 214, and documents pertaining to 
his Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) claim. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 21 Apr 99, the applicant entered active duty in the Air Force. 

 

On 20 Apr 05, he was honorably released from active duty by 
reason of completion of required active service. 

 

Additional relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the BCMR Medical Consultant 
at Exhibit B. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial. The Medical 
Consultant states the Military Disability Evaluation System was 
established to maintain a fit and vital fighting force, and by 
law under Title 10, United States Code (USC) can only offer 
compensation for and when one or more service incurred diseases 
or injuries specifically renders a member unfit for continued 


active service and were the cause for career termination; and 
then only for the degree of impairment present at the time of 
separation and not based on future changes. In order for an 
individual to be considered unfit for continued military service, 
there must be a medical condition that prevents performance of 
any work commensurate with office, rank, and rating rank or 
precludes worldwide qualification. Despite the applicant’s self-
reported experiences and symptoms, the fact remains he had 
apparently shown no diminution in his capabilities to carry out 
the mission of his organization. The applicant’s performance 
reports are not supplied to validate this presumptive statement. 
On the other hand, operating under a different set of laws (Title 
38, USC) with a different purpose, the DVA is authorized to offer 
compensation for any medical condition determined service-
incurred or aggravated, without regard to its proven or 
demonstrated impact upon a service member’s retainability, 
fitness to serve, or narrative reason for release from military 
service. This is the reason why an individual can be found fit 
to complete a term of service and yet sometime thereafter receive 
a compensation rating from the DVA for service-connected, but 
militarily non-unfitting conditions. The DVA is also empowered 
to conduct periodic reevaluations for the purpose of adjusting 
(increasing or decreasing) the disability rating award as the 
level of impairment from a given medical condition may vary 
(worsen or improve) over the lifetime of the veteran. 

 

In the case under review, the applicant has neither shown an 
inability to perform his military duties nor is there evidence 
that PTSD should have been the cause of termination of his Air 
Force career. The Medical Consultant thanks the applicant for 
his service and his bravery under difficult circumstances, but 
finds he has not met the burden of proof of an error or injustice 
that warrants the desired change of the record. 

 

The complete BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit 
B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 21 Oct 11, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to 
the applicant for review and comment within 15 days. To date, a 
response has not been received (Exhibit C). 

 

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

 

1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing 
law or regulations. 

 

2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 

 


3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of 
the case and do not find that it supports a change in his 
military record. As indicated by the BCMR Medical Consultant, 
the applicant has neither shown an inability to perform his 
military duties nor is there evidence that PTSD should have been 
the cause of termination of his Air Force career. Therefore, we 
agree with the opinion and recommendation of the BCMR Medical 
Consultant and adopt his rationale as the basis for our 
conclusion that 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 the relief sought in this application. 

 

4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel 
will materially add to our understanding of the issue involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 Docket Number 
BC-2011-00542 in Executive Session on 15 Nov 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 28 Jan 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, BCMR Medical Consultant, dated 7 Oct 11. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Oct 11. 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair