RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-00163

   	COUNSEL: NONE 

  	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS:

She be determined to be medically qualified for continued service in the Air Force Reserve.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS:

The AF Reserve improperly separated her because she took medication for migraines.  However, her doctor medically cleared her; her AF Form 422, Notification of Air Force Member’s Qualifications Status, stated she was cleared to serve in the Guard or Reserve; and, her separation physical determined she was medically qualified to continue serving.  The USAF Medical Standards Directory, approved 11 Sep 16, indicates taking medication is not a disqualifying factor.  She was worldwide qualified upon separation.   

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the AF Reserve in the grade of Staff Sergeant (SSgt). 

According to the documentation submitted by the applicant, she received an AF Form 422, dated 25 Mar 16, which stated, “No disqualifying conditions were found and member is Worldwide Qualified.  Member is cleared to transition into the Reserves or Guard.” 

On 17 Nov 16, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, with a narrative reason for separation of “Completion of Required Active Service,” and was credited with 11 years, 3 months, and 17 days of active duty service.   

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The AFBCMR Medical Advisor recommends denying the application.  There are significant policy differences between medical standards for retention versus the more stringent medical standards for accession.  Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6130.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services lists, “History of headaches (784.0), including but not limited to migraines (346) and tension headaches (307.81) that: (1) Are severe enough to disrupt normal activities (such as loss of time from school or work) or more than twice per year in the past 2 years. (2) Require prescription medications more than twice per year within the last 2 years.”

Therefore, in order to enter the AFRES, ironically, the applicant needed to qualify under accession standards.  Thus, while the applicant headaches were not severe enough to disrupt her normal active duty activities, the fact she has required prescription medications, likely “more than twice per year within the last 2 years,” disqualifies her as a new accession into the Reserve of the Air Force.  While there may appear to have been an injustice in the applicant’s case, [literally fit one day and medically disqualified the next], in the context of existing DoD accession policy the Medical Advisor regrettably recommends denial of the applicant’s implicit petition to allow her retention as a Reservist.

The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 21 Jun 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.   After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFBCMR Medical Advisor and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-00163 in Executive Session on 1 Aug 18:

Panel Chair
Member
Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 4 Jan 16.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFBCMR Medical Advisor, dated 21 Nov 17.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 21 Jun 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings for Docket Number BC-2017-00163 required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.