RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-05919 XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His discharge be reviewed for a disability retirement. _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He should have a medical retirement for his service related disabilities. In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his medical records. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _______________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force at Exhibit C. _______________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: ARPC/SG recommends denial. SG states that the preponderance of evidence reflects that no error or injustice occurred during the discharge process. The applicant has no line of duty condition that would entitle him to a medical board which would result in a medical retirement from the Air Force. His administrative discharge was true and correct, no injustice has occurred in his case. His available records indicate that he is not entitled to a medical retirement. There is no line of duty relationship to any condition that may have resulted in his administrative separation. There is no line of duty on record at SG and the records indicate that the one potentially service-related condition of his umbilical hernia, aggravated during training was subsequently repaired and thus he met AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards criteria for retention, and no medical board action should be accomplished for this condition. His right knee condition was noted prior to entry on 21 Aug 2000, thus was an Existed Prior to Service (EPTS) condition. There is no medical evidence to support any progression beyond the natural history of the degenerative process. There is no medical evidence to support a permanent worsening due to the nature of his reserve duties. Thus, the finding of EPTS Line of Duty Not Applicable is the only conclusion in accordance with AFI 36-2910, Line of Duty and Misconduct. His complaints of back pain are entirely lacking in documentation to support any service connection and in fact the notes are quite clear that the profile for his lumbar spine strain were caused solely by his civilian employment as a Licensed Practical Nurse. His medical records indicate that his significant and increasing obesity with a maximal Body Mass Index in excess of 35 is a clear and unmistakable cause of any exacerbation of his back and continued knee pain. While his records from 2008 indicate positive screening questions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Abuse as well as significant family, anger control and financial problems, there is no evidence of a duty relationship in any available record. His service history does not reveal a combat history that may not have been noted in other records that could have been contributory to his positive responses. His only period of Active Duty as annotated on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, was from Jul 2001 until Dec 2001 (21 weeks). No combat service awards are noted in his personnel file. Any mental health diagnoses are Line of Duty Not Applicable and any problems with Alcohol abuse are unsuiting, rather than unfitting in accordance with AFI 48-123, 5.3. 12.3.1. Substance use disorders may render an individual unsuitable and subject to administrative separation and are processed in accordance with AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen. The complete SG evaluation is at Exhibit C. _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 31 May 2013, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim 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 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. _______________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR BC-2012- 05919 in Executive Session on 5 Sep 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, 16 Oct 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFRC/SG, dated 19 Apr 2013. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 31 May 2013. Panel Chair