DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD. SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 


Docket No. 7664-16 
APR 0 8 2017 


Dear , 

This is in reference to your application for correction of your naval record pursuant to the 
provisions of I 0 USC 1552. 

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session, 
considered your application on 16 March 2017. Your allegations of error and injustice were 
reviewed in accordance with administrative regulations and procedures applicable to the 
proceedings ofthis Board. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted ofyour 
application, together with all material submitted in support thereof, your naval record and 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

A review ofyour record shows you entered active duty in the Navy in July 1983 and served until 
your retirement on 31Jul2003. During your career, you deployed to combat zones in the 
Middle East and were awarded two Southwest Asia medals and an Armed Forces Expeditionary 
Medal. On 14 October 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs rated you for a number of 
service connected disabilities including eczema, chronic low back strain, right shoulder pain, 
depressive disorder, Patellofemoral syndrome (right knee), hiatal hernia, and radiculopathy lower 
extremities. Based on these ratings, you requested Combat Related Special Compensation 
(CRSC) but were denied on 13 June 2016. 

The Board carefully considered your arguments that you deserve CRSC based on the totality of 
your disabilities for Gulf War Syndrome. You provided a medical opinion that it was possible 
that your conditions could be due to Gulf War Syndrome. Unfortunately, the Board disagreed 
with your rationale for relief. The Board was unable to find evidence to support your assertion 
that your disability conditions as a result ofGulf War Syndrome. While your medical provider 
offered the opinion that your symptoms could be from Gulf War Syndrome, he also admitted that 
he did not know enough about the syndrome to make a "definitive statement" about it. This 
qualification combined with the lack of medical evidence to support your claim led the Board to 
conclude there was insufficient evidence to change the findings ofthe CRSC Board. 
Additionally, the Board agreed with the CRSC Board's determination that there was no evidence 
that your disability conditions were caused by a specific combat-related event since there is no 
evidence you were invblved in armed conflict with an enemy combatant. Therefore, the Board 
also determined that you did not qualify for CRSC based on a claim of armed conflict. 
Accordingly, the Board was unable to find an error or injustice warranting a correction to your 
record and denied your application. The names and votes ofthe members ofthe panel will be 
furnished upon request. 

It is regretted that the circumstances ofyour case are such that favorable action cannot be taken 
at this time. You are entitled to have the Board reconsider its decision upon the submission of 
new and material evidence. New evidence is evidence not previously considered by the Board. 
In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that a presumption ofregularity attaches to all 
official records. Consequently, when applying for a correction ofan official naval record, the 
burden is on the applicant to demonstrate the existence ofprobable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely, 
Executive Director