RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04926 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

Her honorable discharge for pregnancy or childbirth be changed 
to a disability retirement. 

 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

She was under a medical doctor’s care. 

 

In support of her request, the applicant provides a copy of a VA 
Form 3288, Request for and Consent to Release of Information 
from an Individual’s Records. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

According to the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release 
or Discharge from Active Duty, she enlisted in the Regular Air 
Force (RegAF) on 18 Nov 98 and served on active duty until she 
was released from active duty on 12 Jul 02 with an Honorable 
characterization of service and a narrative reason for 
separation of “Pregnancy or Childbirth.” 

 

In accordance with AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of 
Airmen, women may find pregnancy and the expectation of 
motherhood incompatible with continued military service. If so, 
they may ask for separation. If they are separated, they are 
entitled to maternity care only in a military medical facility 
on a space available basis. 

 

Under AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards, neither 
pregnancy nor childbirth is listed as disqualifying medical 
condition. The military Disability Evaluation System (DES), 
established under Title 10, United States Code (USC), to 
maintain a fit and vital fighting force, can only offer 


compensation for those service incurred diseases or injuries 
which specifically rendered a member unfit for continued active 
service and were the cause for career termination. The mere 
presence of a medical condition does not qualify a member for 
military disability evaluation and compensation. 

 

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

 

1. The applicant has not 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 
contends she should be furnished a disability retirement in lieu 
of her administrative discharge for pregnancy or childbirth. 
However, after a thorough review of the evidence of record and 
the applicant’s complete submission, we find no evidence of an 
error or injustice that occurred in the discharge processing. 
Based on the available evidence of record, it appears the 
applicant’s voluntary discharge was consistent with the 
substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and within 
the commander's discretionary authority. Other than her own 
uncorroborated assertions, she has provided no evidence 
whatsoever that would lead us to believe that she suffered from 
an unfitting condition that should have resulted in her referral 
into the military Disability Evaluation System (DES). 
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 material 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. 

 

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-04926 in Executive Session on 27 Sep 12, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Nov 11, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.