RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00634

					COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His discharge status be changed to medical retirement.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He began suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), 
De Quervains, cervical strain, lower back condition, 
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), along with numerous 
scars during his military service and continues to manage pain 
and stress on a daily basis.  If he had received the appropriate 
care and council, he would have been medically retired.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 
25 Jan 05 and served on active duty until 24 Jan 11, when he was 
honorably discharged at the completion of his required active 
service.  He was credited with six years of total active 
service. 

According to the documentation submitted by the applicant, on 
4 Jun 14, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (DVA) issued him 
the following service connected disability ratings:

	a.  Post-traumatic stress disorder - 50 percent.

	b.  Gastroesophageal reflux disease – 10 percent.

	c.  Lower back condition (allopathic lesions of thoracis 
spine, rib cage and sacral) – 10 percent.

	d.  Cervical strain, nonallopathic lesions cervical spine 
(upper back) – 10 percent.
	e.  Post right De Quervain’s release (right thumb and 
wrist) – 10 percent.   

	f.  Scars, right wrist surgery – 10 percent.

	g.  Alopecia, Eczema right arm, Bilateral Plantar 
Fasciitis, and Bilateral Patellofemoral Syndrome – 0 percent.
	
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the memorandum prepared by the AFBCMR Medical 
Consultant, which is attached at Exhibit C.    


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

BCMR Medical Consultant recommends denial indicating there is no 
evidence of an error or an injustice.  The evidence does not 
establish that the applicant was unable to reasonably perform 
his military duties due to one or more medical conditions during 
his military service or at the time of his release from active 
duty order.  Although the applicant was evaluated and treated 
for a number of episodic illnesses or injuries by the DVA, none 
were shown to have interfered with his military service to the 
extent or duration that warranted a Medical Evaluation Board 
(MEB) and processing through the military Disability Evaluation 
System (DES), under provisions of AFI 36-3212, Physical 
Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, and Separation.

Operating under a different set of laws, with a different 
purpose, the DVA is authorized to offer compensation for any 
medical condition determined service incurred, without regard to 
its demonstrated or proven impact upon a service member’s 
fitness for continued service or narrative reason for release 
from military service.  This is the reason why an individual can 
be found fit for release from active duty, only for one or more 
conditions to be subsequently found service-connected by the 
DVA, but which was/were not proven militarily unfitting during 
the period of active service. 

A complete copy of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is 
at Exhibit C.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 16 Sep 14 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office.



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 an 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 AFBCMR Medical Consultant and adopt his 
rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not 
been the victim of an error of injustice.  Therefore, in the 
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the requested relief.


THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 Docket 
Number BC-2014-00634 in Executive Session on 18 Dec 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Feb 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFBCMR/Medical Consultant, 
	            dated 20 Aug 14.
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Sep 14.