RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02473 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His Fitness Assessment (FA), dated 1 Feb 13, be corrected in the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS) to reflect that he was exempt from all components with the exception of the abdominal circumference (AC) measurement. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: His medical condition was discovered subsequent to the contested FA and his AF Form 422, Notification of Air Force Member’s Qualification Status, did not have the correct limitations listed based on his diagnosis. His medical evaluation on 7 May confirmed his diagnosis of Neural Fibroma and the limitations were updated 8 May 13 on an AF Form 469, Duty Limiting Condition Report. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant served in the Regular Air Force during the matter under review. On 11 Jan 13, an AF Form 422 was issued by the applicant’s medical provider, which resulted in him being exempt from the 1.5 mile run, sit-ups, and push-ups. The applicant was cleared to perform the 1 mile walk and AC measurement. This AF Form 422 expired on 22 Feb 13. On 1 Feb 13, the applicant participated in the contested FA and failed to attain the minimum score in the cardio component. As a result, he was credited with zero points for the cardio component and attained an overall composite score of 35.20, resulting in an unsatisfactory rating. On 25 Feb 13, three days after the expiration of the above AF Form 422, the applicant retested on all FA components and attained an overall composite score of 78.90, resulting in a satisfactory rating. On 7 May 13, the applicant was evaluated by a medical provider at Larchmont medical imaging who indicated there was a soft tissue mass at the T1 level, which was concerning for meningioma or peripheral nerve sheath tumor such as schwannoma or neurofibroma. The evaluation also indicated that the spinal cord was displaced to the right and mildly compressed; however there was no cord signal abnormality, alignment of the thoracic spine is satisfactory, and there was no disc herniation at any level. On 8 May 13, the applicant’s limitations were documented on an AF Form 469, and he was exempted from all FA components with the exception of the AC measurement. On 2 Jan 14, the Fitness Assessment Appeals Board (FAAB) denied relief to the applicant indicating there was insufficient evidence (specifically medical documents) to support his claim. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility, which is attached at Exhibit B. IR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. While the applicant contends the undiagnosed condition precluded successful completion of the contested FA, he includes no information that confirms this condition was present during the time period where he participated in the FA on 1 Feb 13. Furthermore, the applicant retested on all components 25 Feb 13 and attained a satisfactory rating. Without documentation to confirm there was a causal relationship established between the applicant’s medical condition and the contested FA failure, the requested relief should be denied. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation is at Exhibit B. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant’s rebuttal statement details his account of the facts related to the contested FA and his belief that there is a causal relationship between his pain and his heart rate, putting him in an indefensible state to successfully pass the 1-mile walk on the contested FA. Additionally he indicates that his personal motivation to complete another FA on 25 Feb 13 without any exemptions was a testament to his commitment to the AF Core Values. There was no new information from the medical community to present that the condition was present at the time of the contested FA. In support of his response, he provides an expanded personal statement and copies of peer reviewed medical articles, medical documentation, and a statement from a neurosurgeon’s office to confirm that he had a procedure to remove a tumor that was causing pain in the thoracic area on 9 Sept 13. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at 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. The applicant contends that he had a medical condition that precluded him from attaining a passing score on the contested FA. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe that a preponderance of the evidence indicates that corrective action is warranted. In this respect, we note the applicant has provided medical documentation from his neurosurgeon’s office indicating he had a tumor removed that was causing pain and attesting to the fact that the condition precluded successful completion of the contested FA. While we note the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility indicating the applicant has not provided documentation that the condition was present during the time period of the contested FA, we are convinced by the evidence presented that there was a causal relationship between the applicant’s medical condition and his inability to attain a passing score. Therefore, we recommend his 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 he was exempt from the cardio, push-up, and sit-up components of the Fitness Assessment (FA), dated 1 Feb 13. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 2013-02473 in Executive Session on 30 Apr 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 22 May 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 2 Jan 14, w/atch. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Jan 14. Exhibit D. Applicant’s Rebuttal, undated.