RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-03924 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her 1 Jul 13 Fitness Assessment (FA) score be declared void and removed from her records. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She encountered several panic attacks during the cardio component of the contested FA; as a result, she completed the run in 19:06 and attained an overall composite score of 38.00 points. Despite this, she chose to complete the run to prove herself, even though she knew her panic attacks would keep her from doing so in the time allowed. She now knows that the contested FA should have been terminated due to a medical condition that occurred during the test. She attained passing scores on the remaining components, receiving 20 points for the abdominal circumference, 8 points for push-ups, and 10 points for sit-ups. This was her second attempt of the FA. The first FA was on 28 Jun 13, when she was physically unable to complete the run due to a severe panic attack. She was seen by her primary care physician (PCM), pastor, and mental health provider upon her return from Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) (this was documented by her servicing base Hanscom AFB). 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 technical sergeant (E-6). On 28 May 13, according to medical documentation provided by the applicant, she was seen for a medical evaluation at the local Military Treatment Facility (MTF). During the appointment, the history of her illness was discussed. It was noted the applicant underwent severe stress at her previous base, had been in treatment and was doing well. Subsequent to this, she attended NCOA and began to experience anxiety attacks, finger numbness, which was associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) triggered by something while she was in school. On 1 Jul 13, the applicant participated in the contested FA and failed to attain the minimum required score in the cardio component and attained an overall composite score of 38.00, resulting in an unsatisfactory rating. On 14 Feb 14, the Fitness Assessment Appeals Board (FAAB) disapproved the applicant’s request on the basis that she should not have completed the FA once she became ill during the test. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the letter prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) which is included at Exhibit B. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial, due to lack of supporting evidence to substantiate an error or injustice. While the applicant contends she had a medical condition that precluded successful completion of the contested FA, she did not provide documentation of the diagnosis that precluded successful completion of the FA. As per AFI 36-2905, Fitness, “if the medical evaluation validates the illness/injury and provides supporting medical documentation, the unit commander may invalidate the FA results by notifying the FAC in writing. If the FA is invalidated, the Airman will be required to retest on all non-exempt components within five duty days from the original test date. If an AF Form 422, Notification of Air Force Member’s Qualification Status, is required, an additional five duty days will be allowed for an AF Form 422 to be generated and provided.” A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit B. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reiterates her account of the facts related to the contested FA and argues there is a causal relationship between her panic attacks and the FA failure. Additionally, her personal motivation to complete subsequent components of the contested FA with a satisfactory score is a testament to her commitment to the AF Core Values. In support of her response, she provides an expanded personal statement; a letter from her mental health provider indicating that she continues to make progress even though she suffers from residual symptoms of PTSD, generalized depression, and panic attacks; a copy of her AFFMS record, and copies of excerpts of her military personnel records. 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 she had a medical condition (panic attacks) that unfairly precluded her from attaining a passing score on the contested fitness assessment (FA). After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, to include her rebuttal response, we are convinced that corrective action is warranted. We note the comments of AFPC/DPSIM indicating the evidence provided by the applicant is not sufficient to determine the specific medical condition she suffered from and how it precluded her from attaining a passing score; nevertheless, we believe that a preponderance of the evidence substantiates there was a strong causal nexus between her panic attacks and her inability to attain a passing score. In this respect, we note the applicant has provided medical documentation and supporting statements from both her commander and fitness assessment monitor indicating that her panic attack caused her to be unable to finish the cardio component in an acceptable time. While we note the Fitness Assessment Appeals Board (FAAB) denied the applicant’s request because, in their view, she should not have finished the cardio component once she became ill, we find this a questionable basis upon which to deny the requested relief when the preponderance of the evidence indicates that her medical condition kept her from timely completing the cardio component of the FA. In this respect, we note the comments from the applicant’s commander indicating that neither he, nor his unit’s fitness assessment monitor, were aware that allowing the applicant to finish the cardio component once she became ill would result in the commander being unable to invalidate the test because, under the policy in effect at the time, a commander could only do so if the injury/illness prevented the member from completing the component. Therefore, we recommend that the applicant’s 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 1 Jul 13 Fitness Assessment (FA) score be declared void and removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS). The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-03924 in Executive Session on 24 Sep 14, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Ms. , Panel Chair Ms. , Member Mr. , Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Aug 13, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPSIMC, dated 3 Jan 14. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Feb 14. Exhibit D. Applicant, dated 10 Mar 14, w/atchs. 1