RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-02693 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His uncharacterized service characterization be changed to honorable. 2. His narrative reason for separation be changed to “Service Connected disability” rather than “Disability Existed Prior to Svc-PEB.” APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was discharged due to an injury he incurred while on active duty. His medical board report reflects his injury was incurred while he was entitled to basic pay and it did not exist prior to him entering military service. He has been denied benefits that are often afforded to veterans with a service-connected injury. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 27 Feb 07, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the Regular Air Force. On 9 Mar 07, the applicant reported to the medical clinic with complaints of hip pain with exertion. On 16 Mar 07, the applicant returned to the clinic with complaints of continued hip pain. He was placed on medical hold on 26 Mar 07. On 9 Apr 07, the applicant underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which was concerning for stress fractures. On 12 Apr 07, the applicant underwent a bone scan which confirmed a stress fractures of the left and right femur. The applicant was seen by orthopedics and separation was recommended due to the lengthy amount of time that would be required for convalescence and therapy. Based on the recommendation of orthopedics a medical evaluation board (MEB) will be convened for stress fractures. On 15 May 07, the applicant underwent an MEB and received a diagnosis of Bilateral Distal Femur Stress Fractures. It was noted the applicant’s injury was incurred while entitled to basic pay; the injury did not exist prior to service (EPTS) and a referral to the Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB). On 31 May 07, the IPEB reviewed the applicant’s case and recommended discharge under other than Chapter 61, 10 USC because his condition existed prior to service (EPTS). On 4 Jun 07, the applicant concurred with the findings and recommendations of the IPEB. On 8 Jun 07, the Secretary of the Air Force directed the applicant be separated due to an EPTS medical condition. On 14 Jun 07, the applicant was furnished an entry-level, separation, uncharacterized characterization with a narrative reason for separation of “Disability, Existed Prior to Service PEB,” along with a reentry code of 2Q (Personnel medically retired or discharged). He was credited with 3 months and 18 days of active service. Airmen are given an entry-level separation with uncharacterized service when separation is initiated with the first 180 days of continuous active service. It was determined by the Department of Defense (DOD) that if a member served less than 180 days of continuous active service, it would be unfair to the member and the service to characterize their limited service. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPFD recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. The applicant’s case was reviewed by the IPEB found he was unfit and recommended discharge for a disability that existed prior to service with an entry-level separation. The applicant did not exercise his right to have his case reviewed by the Formal Physical Evaluation Appeal Board (FPEB) and Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council (SAFPC). A complete copy of the AFPC/DPFD evaluation is at Exhibit C. The AFBCMR Medical Consultant recommends granting the requested relief. The applicant entered military service, presumably fit and likely developed stress fractures associated with running on hard surfaces over an extended and repetitive period of time. Most often it has been ruled that fractures of this type are the result of “poor conditioning” which existed prior to service. There are both extrinsic and intrinsic factors involved for this condition. Extrinsic risk factors include high training volume, shock absorbing quality of the athletic footwear, and the training surface. Anatomic factors also help determine how much ground contact force is absorbed in the foot and how much is transferred to the bones of the leg, and thigh. However, this does not negate the fact that the applicant’s injuries occurred during and by military service. In the past, stress fractures warranted processing under the Disability Evaluation System for possible compensation. Under the provisions of DODI 6130.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Service, stress fractures are disqualifying for service entry if “recurrent or [a] single episode during the past year,” however, the applicant may qualify for reenlistment if he has not experienced a recurrence since his initial injury in 2007. The Medical Consultant is unsure if the applicant is seeking possible reentry versus entitlement for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) (which probably requires an Honorable service characterization). However, due to his limited time in service he is unlikely to have been eligible to receive disability severance pay, but may be eligible for DVA benefits. A copy of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant’s evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 11 Feb 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). 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 not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. While we note the comments of AFPC/DPFD indicating that relief should be denied because there was no evidence of an error occurring during the disability process, we concur with the findings and recommendations of the AFBCMR Medical Consultant and adopt his rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, we recommend 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 on 14 June 2007, he was honorably discharged by reason of Disability, under the provisions of AFI 36-3212. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02693 in Executive Session on 21 Apr 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-02693 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 27 Jun 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPFD, dated 24 Jul 14. Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFBCMR Medical Consultant, dated 3 Feb 15. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Feb 15.