DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

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

Docket No. 8679-16 

Dear [NAME REDACTED],

This is in reference to your application for correction ofyour naval record pursuant to the 
provisions of 10 USC 1552. 

A three-member panel ofthe Board for Correction ofNaval Records, sitting in executive session, 
considered your application on 13 April 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 of your record shows you entered active duty in November 1972 and were placed on 
the Temporary Disability Retirement List on 30 November 1991. You were later placed on the 
retirement list on 31 July 1995. On 30 August 2016, the Combat Related Special Compensation 
(CRSC) Board granted CRSC for your tinnitus and bi-lateral hearing loss but denied your request 
based on delusional disorder, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis. 

The Board carefully considered your arguments that you deserve CRSC for your delusional 
disorder, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis with onychomysocis. You assert the stress related to your 
duties as an Operational Specialist and the heat ofthe equipment you were required to work with 
in the performance of your duties was sufficient to support a finding ofCRSC in your case. 
Unfortunately, the Board disagreed with your rationale for relief. The Board did not find your 
arguments regarding the simulation of armed conflict persuasive. You described your 
involvement in combat training exercises that involved simulated combat operations vice 
simulated armed conflict. The Board concluded this did not meet the Department of Defense 
(DOD) criteria for performance ofduties under conditions simulating war. Specifically, there 
was no evidence that your condition was incurred while you personally were simulating 
engaging with a hostile or belligerent nation, faction, force, or terrorist in a specific combat
related event. DOD guidance specifically states that incurring a disability during a period of war 
or in an area of armed conflict while participating in combat operations is not sufficient to 
support CRSC. Additionally, the Board did not find persuasive your arguments that your tinea 
cruris, and tinea pedis with onychomycosis were the result ofworking with Instrumentalities of 
War in the Combat Informational Center or as a result ofany combat related events. There was 
no medical evidence presented that your conditions were the direct result of working with 
specific equipment or as a result of combat. 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 of probable material error or injustice. 

Sincerely, 


Executive Director