RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-02337

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO


________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Fitness Assessment (FA), dated 20 Dec 12 be declared void 
and removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System 
(AFFMS). 
________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was suffering from an undiagnosed heart condition which 
precluded her from passing the contested assessment. 

During the contested FA she experienced chest pain and shortness 
of breath. At the time she attributed these symptoms to a 
respiratory infection and poor weather conditions.  Shortly 
after the test she was seen by her medical provider for chest 
pain and referred to a cardiologist.  She was diagnosed with a 
heart condition and underwent surgical treatment.  Since the 
treatment, she has passed two FAs, one with exemptions and one 
with no exemptions.

In support of her appeal she submits an AF Form 469 Duty 
Limiting Condition Report, dated 11 Mar 13, indicating she was 
restricted from running, walking, push-ups, and sit-ups; an AF 
422, Notification of Air Force Member's Qualification Status, 
dated 13 Mar 13, showing her exemption from all but the AC 
component of the FA, and medical records indicating the 
diagnosis and subsequent treatment of her heart condition.

Additionally, she notes that this is her only physical training 
failure in 26 years of service.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving as a Major (O-4) in the 
Regular Air Force.

On 20 Dec 12, the applicant participated in the contested FA, 
attaining an overall composite score of 37.40, which constituted 
an “unsatisfactory” assessment.  The applicant was credited with 
the following component scores:  Cardio – 18:50/0.00, Abdominal 
Circumference – 30”/20.00 points, Push-ups – 20/8.20, Sit-ups – 
36/9.20 points.

On 25 Feb 14, a similar request was considered and denied by the 
Fitness Assessment Appeals Board (FAAB) who found it unlikely 
that an injustice occurred.  They concluded that while the 
documentation shows clear evidence of a medical condition, it 
was not clear when the condition began or if the applicant was 
impacted during the FA.  Since there was no commander 
invalidation letter or medical documentation prior to the FA, 
the applicant’s limitations could not be validated. 

In accordance with (IAW) guidance at the time of contested FA, 
AFI 36-2905_ Fitness Program AFGM3 (3 Jan 12), Attachment 1, 
Section 10, “If an Airman becomes injured or ill during the FA 
and is unable to complete all required components, he/she will 
have the option of being evaluated at the Medical Treatment 
Facility (MTF) but his/her test will still count unless rendered 
invalid by the Unit Commander.  If the medical evaluation 
validates the illness/injury, the Unit Commander may invalidate 
the test results.  The Airman will then be required to retest 
within 5 duty days or when capable based on the recommendations 
of the medical provider/MLO and the Exercise Physiologist.  If 
an AF Form 422 is required, an additional 7 days will be allowed 
for the AF Form 422 to be generated and provided.

IAW AFI 36-2905_AFGM3 (3 Jan 12), paragraphs 2.3.2 through 
2.3.2.2 All members must complete the Fitness Screening 
Questionnaire (FSQ) prior to FA.  The FSQ should be completed no 
earlier than 30 calendar days, but no later than 7 days prior to 
FA to provide time for medical evaluation, when indicated; 
however, failure to complete FSQ does not invalidate the FA.  A 
medical provider must evaluate all members with health issues 
identified on the FSQ prior to the FA.  Member must notify the 
Unit Fitness Program Manager (UFPM) of the assessment/training 
clearance status from the provider.  The provider completes the 
bottom portion of the FSQ or the Medical Clearance Letter (MCL) 
if the member has no limitations and an AF Form 469, if 
applicable.
_______________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial of the applicant’s request due to 
the lack of medical documentation linking the diagnosis to the 
contested FA, and there was no indication that her commander 
wished to invalidate the assessment.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation, with attachments, 
is at Exhibit B.
_______________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation, with attachment, was 
forwarded to the applicant on 20 Sep 13 for review and comment 
within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received 
by this office (Exhibit C).
________________________________________________________________

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 
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the 
applicant’s contentions, we believe she has met her burden of 
establishing the contested FA should be declared void. The FAAB 
disapproved the request, stating that while there was evidence 
to support her medical condition, a commander invalidation 
memorandum was not provided.  AFPC/DPSIM has recommended denial 
based on lack of supporting evidence, specifically, medical 
documentation linking the diagnosis to the applicant’s inability 
to successfully pass the contested FA.  While we note an 
invalidation memorandum from the commander was not submitted, we 
recognize the medical records provided clearly indicate the 
applicant had a serious pre-existing medical condition of 
Angina, which she was unaware of and would have precluded her 
from passing the contested FA.   Given the serious nature of the 
applicant’s condition, the medical documentation provided, the 
medical procedure she underwent to remedy her condition, and the 
fact that according to her AFFMS report this was her only FA 
failure, we find a totality of the evidence supports favorable 
consideration of this request. Therefore, we recommend the 
applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.
________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that the 
Fitness Assessment, dated 20 Dec 2012, be declared void and 
removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System.
________________________________________________________________





The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-02337 in Executive Session on 30 Apr 14, 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 6 May 13, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 21 Oct 13, w/atchs.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Mar 14.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair
1