RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBERS: BC-2012-03476 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His Fitness Assessments (FAs), dated 30 March 2012 and 28 June 2012, be removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS). ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was diagnosed with a pre-existing condition that directly contributed to his FA failures. He was seen for knee pain which resulted in surgery and a profile that limited his FA testing components to height, weight, and abdominal circumference. He was also seen for exhaustion, depression, and the inability to lose weight despite a vigorous exercise regime and diet. He was referred to an Endocrinologist who diagnosed him with hypogonadism (low testosterone), and a pituitary micro adenoma which directly affects his testosterone production and weight loss. These factors were the primary reason he failed the abdominal circumference and his last two FA failures. 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 master sergeant (E-7). The remaining relevant facts, extracted from the applicant’s military service record, are contained in the evaluation provided by the Air Force office of primary responsibility at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial. DPSIM states that in accordance with Air Force Instruction 36-2905, paragraph 2.10.4, scoring for exemptions: Members with a duty limiting condition prohibiting them from performing one or more components of the FA will have a composite score calculated on the assessed components. Abdominal circumference will be performed on all members, unless exempted by medical provider in accordance with paragraph 4.2, since there is no risk to the member. The applicant provided an Air Force Form 422, Notification of Air Force Member Qualification Status, dated 23 August 2012, which exempted him from the 1.5 mile run, and 1.0 mile walk assessment. He was tested in accordance with his profile. The complete DPSIM evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 16 October 2012, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). As of this date, this office has received no response. ________________________________________________________________ _ BCMR MEDICAL CONSULTANT EVALUATION: The BCMR Medical Consultant recommends approval. The BCMR Medical Consultant states that a cursory review of literature indeed shows some cause and effect relationship between hypogonadism and obesity. It is reasonable for an individual that is diagnosed with a correctable endocrinology condition, like hypogonadism or hypothyroidism, to allow for six months recovery time after being treated. This would include an exemption from a fitness test. In fact, according to a representative from the Headquarters Air Force Surgeon General’s office, this is the current practice. Therefore, in view of the established cause and effect relationship between obesity and hypogonadism, it is recommended the applicant’s unsatisfactory FAs in March 2012 and June 2012 be removed from the AFFMS, along with his unsatisfactory FAs for September 2012 and October 2012, in effect exempting the applicant from any FAs for the six-month period in which he was/has been receiving hormone replacement therapy. This period is inclusive of the six-month period of therapy (beginning in June 2012); following which improvement in his fitness would be expected. Failure due to abdominal circumference measurements after this six-month period would require consideration of other causes, not attributable to the aforementioned hormonal deficit. The complete BCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit F. ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: He concurs with the evaluation and recommendation of the BCMR Medical Consultant. However, he notes he only had one unsatisfactory FA since the contested FAs, which is dated 25 September 2012. The applicant’s email is at Exhibit H. ________________________________________________________________ _ 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 error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s submission, we believe relief is warranted. The Board notes the comments of the BCMR Medical Consultant, indicating there is a direct relationship between obesity and hypogonadism and that AF/SG indicates members with this condition should be exempt from FAs for six months after receiving treatment. In this regard, we concur with the recommendation from the BCMR Medical Consultant and adopt the expressed rationale to approve the applicant’s request to remove the contested FAs, dated 30 March 2012 and 28 June 2012. In addition, the BCMR Medical Consultant recommends removal of the applicant’s unsatisfactory FAs in September and October 2012. We agree. However, after further review of the applicant’s current Individual Fitness Assessment History, we note he only had one unsatisfactory FA since the date of his contested FAs. Therefore, in addition to the removal of the FAs of 30 March 2012 and 28 June 2012, the applicant’s unsatisfactory FA, dated 25 September 2012, should also be removed from his record. ________________________________________________________________ _ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that his Fitness Assessments, dated 30 March 2012, 28 June 2012, and 25 September 2012, be declared void and removed from his records. ________________________________________________________________ _ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03476 in Executive Session on 25 April 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 for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012- 03476 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 5 Jul 12, with atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 20 Aug 12. Exhibit C. Letter, Applicant, dated 12 Sep 12, w/atchs. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 3 Oct 12, w/atch. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Oct 12. Exhibit F. Letter, BCMR Med Cnslt, dated 29 Apr 13. Exhibit G. Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 30 Apr 13. Exhibit H. Email, Applicant, dated 7 May 13.