RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02547 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

Her deceased spouse’s record be changed to show he elected spouse 
only coverage under the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan 
(RCSBP). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

Although her spouse did not complete the forms for coverage under 
the RCSBP, she believes she is entitled to survivor benefits due 
to his 20 plus years of service in the Air Force. 

 

In support of her request, the applicant submits a copy of the 
decedent’s death certificate and marriage license. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The decedent was notified of his eligibility to participate in 
the RCSBP on 10 June 1991 via certified mail. On 18 June 1991, 
he acknowledged receipt of his Notification of Eligibility for 
retired pay at age 60 letter. He made no election during that 
time and was automatically enrolled in Option A, “Deferred to 
make an election until age 60”. 

 

The decedent died on 18 June 2008. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

ARPC/DPTT recommends denial. DPSTT states the deceased former 
service member was afforded three opportunities to upgrade his 
election after the original election was updated. The periods of 
1 April 1992 through 31 March 1993, 1 March 1999 through 
29 February 2000 and 1 October 2005 through 30 September 


2006 were declared SBP Open Enrollment Seasons. Members who had 
previously elected less than full coverage or no coverage for 
their spouse/children, were afforded the opportunity to change 
their election to cover their families. The deceased former 
service member requested an information packet during the 2005-
2006 open season but ARPC’s system/records show that he did not 
elect to participate in this or the previous open seasons. 

 

In view of the fact that the deceased former service member was 
eligible for retired pay at age 60, the applicant is eligible for 
an ID card, Base Exchange and Commissary privileges. The 
applicant was eligible to apply for medical and dental benefits 
through the TRICARE program on 7 May 2011. She may also be 
eligible for benefits through the Veterans Administration and may 
contact them. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 4 November 2011, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit C). As of this date, this office has received no 
response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 an injustice. We took 
notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the 
merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and the 
recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the 
applicant has failed to sustain his burden of proof of the 
existence of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of 
evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting 
the relief sought in this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 


 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2011-02547 in Executive Session on 12 January 2012, 
under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-02547 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 June 2011, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, ARPC/DPTT, dated 28 October 2011, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 November 2011.