RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-02597 COUNSEL: NO HEARING DESIRED: NO ___________________ ___________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her 4 May 2011, 14 October 2011, and 20 January 2012 Fitness Assessment (FA) scores be declared void and removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS). _______________ ____ __________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Her last three FA failures were a result of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ___________________ ___________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel (0-5). On 4 May 2011, 14 October 2011, and 20 January 2012, the applicant participated in each of the contested FAs. Although she was on a profile exempting her from the cardio and strength components of the FAs, she was cleared to be tested on her height, weight, and abdominal circumference components, but failed to attain passing scores due to exceeding the waist measurement. On 24 February 2012, the applicant was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. A medical doctor concluded that her fatigue, weight gain, and sluggishness was the result of undiagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism. On 4 April 2012, the applicant was exempt from all components of the FA. In accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2905, Fitness Program, paragraph 4.2.4, all members will complete abdominal circumference assessment unless there is a composite exemption or, under rare circumstances, a component exemption determined by the exercise physiologist/fitness program manager upon recommendation by the provider. On 21 June 2012, the applicant’s commander indicated that due to her medical condition, she was exempt from all areas of fitness testing. ___________________ ___________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial, noting the applicant tested in accordance with her profile (waist measurement only) and did not obtain a passing fitness score. While the applicant provided AF Forms 422, Notification of Air Force Member’s Qualification Status, dated 2 May 2011, 11 October 2011, and 29 January 2012, which exempted her from the 1.5 mile run, pushups, and sit-up components of the contested FAs, she was evaluated on the height, weight, and abdominal circumference in accordance with her profile. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation is at Exhibit C. ___________________ ___________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 29 August 2012 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). ___________________ ___________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we find the applicant’s undiagnosed hypothyroidism prevented her from attaining passing scores during the contested FA. While we note the comments by AFPC/DPSIM indicating the applicant tested in accordance with her profile, we find it reasonable to conclude the contested FAs failures were directly attributable to her hypothyroidism. In this respect, we note the supporting statement provided by the applicant’s commander indicating that her medical condition renders her exempt from all components of the FA, including the waist measurement component. Therefore, we find it reasonable to conclude that had her condition been timely diagnosed, competent authority would likely have exempted her from the waist measurement component of the contested FAs. Therefore, we recommend her records be corrected as indicated below. ___________________ ___________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that her 4 May 2011, 14 October 2011, and 20 January 2012 Fitness Assessments be declared void and removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS). ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-02597 in Executive Session on 28 February 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 04 June 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 22 August 2012. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 August 2012.