Medical Disqualification ?

Is it possible to get a medical waiver for Asthma or is it not waiverable? Any insight is appreciated.

On the DoDMERB forums (mid-section of the home page) it is littered with asthma questions and answers. Over here you will get maybe, possibly. Over there they will walk you through the process.

Yes, it is possible. It is beyond hard, but it is possible. You need to prepare yourself for the possibilty of a long, hard, uphill battle to get the waiver. I have asthma and recieved my notification that I was granted a waiver about a week ago. I was first disqualified back in early October. So yes, it is definitely possible. Good luck to you!

~AirForceBrat1

If you do in fact have asthma it will be very difficult. Even if you don't but were disqualified for asthma, it still could be difficult. Medical records from my childhood said I had asthma but that was never determined by a test, just a doctor's word. I was disqualified in November, denied my waiver in February, took a Methacholine Challenge Test and wrote a rebuttal letter to prove I didn't have asthma and was just cleared up in early April.

If you can prove you're fit and are determined to get in, you should be able to make it happen.

AirForce_21 said:

If you do in fact have asthma it will be very difficult. Even if you don't but were disqualified for asthma, it still could be difficult. Medical records from my childhood said I had asthma but that was never determined by a test, just a doctor's word. I was disqualified in November, denied my waiver in February, took a Methacholine Challenge Test and wrote a rebuttal letter to prove I didn't have asthma and was just cleared up in early April.

If you can prove you're fit and are determined to get in, you should be able to make it happen.

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My DS went through some of the same issues. He was medically disqualified and had to take the Methacholine Challenge test and get a note from a pulmonologist and he did not find out that he was approved for the waiver until late May. What a long spring 2012 was for my family, but he is not finishing up his C4C year and loving it. He can never be Pilot qualified they told him because of a history of asthma, but that was not his goal, so he was ok with that. Good Luck and perserverance can pay off!!!

I recieved a medical waiver for asthma after having it turned down a couple times. After they initially denied it, I took the methacholine challenge test and a pulmonary function test as well as submitting a letter from my doctor stating I have not had asthma problem for years. It really depends on the severity of the condition. If someone is on asthma medications currently or within the last few years, the chance of recieving a waiver is probably less. The methacholine challenge and pulmonary function tests are also your own expense, but I would ask DoDMERB what they suggest for trying to prove your case first. Best advice I could give is to stay persistent. It took me months to have my medical cleared but came through in the end.

Best of luck!