Opinion ID: 305475
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Statement of Physical Acceptability

Text: 10 On August 11, 1969 Roberts notified his Local Board in Kokomo of a change of address to 5022 East Jackson, Elkhart. On August 12, 1969 he took a delayed preinduction physical examination through the Goshen Local Board. 4 On August 26, 1969 the Kokomo Board received the statement of Roberts' physical acceptability (DD Form 62) from the Goshen Board and sent a copy to him that same day. The form itself showed his Kokomo address rather than the newly reported Elkhart address. 11 We see no merit to Roberts' claim that he did not receive the statement of physical acceptability (DD Form 62), that he was deprived of the chance to challenge his acceptability, and that the subsequent induction order was invalid under 32 C.F.R. 1631.7(a). 5 The district judge did not err in deciding that Roberts was charged with receiving notice of his physical acceptability. 12 At the time of the August 26 mailing, Roberts' new Elkhart address had been entered on his SSS file cover sheet. And the Executive Secretary of the Kokomo Local Board effectually testified that in the ordinary course of business the Board takes its envelope address from the last address noted on the file cover sheet. The court could correctly rely on the presumption of regularity to conclude that the statement was sent to the proper address. 13 Furthermore, even if the statement of acceptability were sent to the Kokomo address, the evidence is still sufficient to support the court's finding. The record shows that Roberts received other Selective Service mail sent to the Kokomo address. No mail was ever returned to the Board. There was one envelope which Roberts received but which he never opened. And the district court was not compelled to credit Roberts' self-serving testimony of the non-receipt. 14 Assuming arguendo, however, that Roberts did not receive the statement of Physical Acceptability (DD Form 62) we see no prejudice to him. Eleven weeks prior to the date of his physical examination, Roberts had been notified to bring a doctor's certificate of any physical condition which might disqualify him from the armed forces. His file does not show any medical certificates. Furthermore, the order to report for induction should have put Roberts on notice that he had been found physically qualified. And Roberts had ample time-more than twenty-one days-during the postponement of his induction to question his physical qualifications.