RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02090 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His military record be corrected to reflect the combat related 
injury he incurred: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

His record does not contain his combat related injury because it 
was not diagnosed until after he retired. His injury was 
incurred during Operation Allied Force, in which, he flew 249.7 
combat flying hours from 20 April 1999 to 4 May 1999. The 
Department of Defense recently changed their position relating 
to security clearances. Once he became aware of the change, he 
was able to seek treatment without fear of damaging his career. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty, a copy of his Department of Veterans Appeals (DAV) rating 
decision and other supporting documentation. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant retired on 31 May 2003 in the grade of master 
sergeant (E-7) after serving 21 years, 2 months and 1 day of 
active duty service. 

 

A DVA Rating decision, dated 5 March 2011, indicates the 
applicant was granted a rating of 50 percent for his service 
connected PTSD. 

 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AFPC/DPSDC recommends denial. The CRSC program was established 
to provide compensation to certain retirees with combat-related 
disabilities under Title 10 U.S.C, Section 1413a. If the 
veteran does not satisfy the preliminary CRSC criteria, no 
further consideration is required and the claim is denied. 
However, the applicant has not submitted a claim for CRSC as 
required by law. 

 

The VA awards service connected disabilities based on their 
standards. While service connected disability is required for 
initial legibility for CRSC consideration, CRSC criteria is more 
stringent and requires documentation to support a qualifying 
combat-related event as the direct cause of a disability. 

 

The applicant has submitted documentation with this application 
stating he successfully flew 29 combat missions amassing 249.7 
combat flying hours, however, this does not conclusively show 
exposure to hostile fire. In accordance with DD Form 2860, Claim for Combat-Related Special Compensation, the fact that a 
member incurred a disability in an area of armed conflict, while 
participating in combat operations or during a period of 
hazardous service is not sufficient by itself to support a 
combat related determination. 

 

In order to be considered for PTSD under the CRSC program, the 
applicant must complete a signed claim form and return to DPSDC. 
Based on the documentation submitted with this application, 
insufficient documentation has been provided to make a combat 
related determination. Accordingly, they are unable to make 
formal determination at this time. 

 

The complete DPSDC evaluation, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit B. 

 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 29 July 2011, for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit C). As of this date, this office has not received a 
response. 

 

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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. The applicant 
has requested that his service records be amended to reflect 
that he incurred a combat related injury of Post Traumatic 
Stress Disorder while performing official duties during 
Operation Allied Force. The applicant is also seeking to have 
his records confirm that his service-connected PTSD qualifies 
for benefits under the CRSC Act. However, the applicant has not 
submitted a claim, as required by law, for consideration of his 
eligibility under the CRSC program. As indicated by AFPC/DPSDC, 
the applicant may wish to apply directly to AFPC/DPSDC for 
consideration for PTSD under the CRSC program. Therefore, 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. 

 

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-02090 in Executive Session on 26 March 2012, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 9 May 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSDC, dated 19 Jul 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Jul 11.