RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2017-03545

	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, item 26, (Separation Code) SEJ - Disability Permanent Enhanced reflect SFJ – Permanent Disability – Retired, to include full medical retirement benefits with back pay.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The separation code of SEJ on his DD Form 214 is incorrect.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former Air Force technical sergeant.

The applicant was referred to the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) in Jun 12.  The Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB) reviewed his case file and determined he was unfit for continued military service for Thoracolumbar Spondylosis with Intervertebral Degenerative Disc Disease and Radiculopathy.  The applicant’s case file was forwarded to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for application of the appropriate level of disability for his unfitting conditions.  Upon receiving the DVA rating, the IPEB applied the rating; and recommended permanent retirement with a combined compensable disability rating of 50 percent.  The applicant concurred and requested a one-time reconsideration of his DVA rating.  Upon receipt of the reconsideration rating, the board applied the new ratings, increasing his recommendation of permanent retirement to 60 percent.  The applicant was retired effective 27 Jun 13.  He served 17 years, 5 months and 25 days on active duty.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPFDD recommends denying the application.  There is no other indication an error or injustice occurred during the processing of his disability case.  Effective Mar 08, the separation code “SFJ” was replaced with SEJ for a member being permanently retired for medical purposes.    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 13 Mar 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not 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 and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DPFDD and find 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-2017-03545 in Executive Session on 11 Jul 18:

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 20 Jun 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DPFDD, dated 17 Jan 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 13 Mar 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 pertaining to Docket Number BC-2017-03545.