RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-02846

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) request be reviewed for approval.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was medically retired and he received combat pay while serving in Thailand.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 11 Jan 76, the applicant was furnished an honorable retirement, permanent physical disability and was credited with 12 years, 7 months, and 6 days total active service.

On 9 Jan 09, per documentation provided by the applicant, his request for CRSC for Bipolar Disorder and Hypertension were rated as non-combat related and his request was denied.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPFDC recommends denying the application.  The fact that a member incurred a disability in an area of armed conflict, while participating in combat operations, during a period of simulating war, in an area of simulated armed conflict, while participating in simulated combat operations or during a period of hazardous service is not sufficient by itself to support a combat-related determination.  There must be a definite, documented, casual relationship between the armed conflict, simulated armed conflict, hazardous service or instrumentality of war and the resulting disability.  The applicant submitted claims on 29 Sep 08 and 1 Dec 08 for bipolar disorder and hypertension.  His claims were disapproved on 28 Oct 08 and 9 Jan 09 respectively.  The applicant submitted an additional claim for reconsideration on 30 Mar 17 for bipolar disorder, hypertension, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diabetes mellitus.  This claim was disapproved on 25 Apr 17.  The applicant’s initial and reconsideration claims contained no definitive evidence to confirm his disabilities were a direct result of a combat-related event.  Furthermore, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and diabetes mellitus have been rated as “not service connected” by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  The applicant is not currently receiving VA compensation for these conditions; therefore, AFPC/DPFDC is unable to consider these conditions for CRSC. 

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 11 Jul 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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 AFPC/DPFDC and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

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-2017-02846 in Executive Session on 15 Aug 18:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 10 Jun 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DPFDC, dated 20 Feb 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 11 Jul 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9 for Docket Number BC-2017-02846.