POC Disqualification

db926

New Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2016
Messages
3
Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had any information on appealing a waiver disqualification? I am third year student at my university who graduated field training and entered the POC, but then was disqualified medically. I am sure I have the needed information to appeal the waiver however I do not know where to start. While I know the cadre would be the first logical step, I have gotten the impression that since the DQ letter came in they have given up on my case. Any help in the matter will be very appreciated.
 
Not sure if there are concrete steps in appealing disqualifications but new and updated information can ALWAYS be submitted. It's not completely over with the contradictory medical exam findings. A DQ letter as you probably received in the mail should state that it isn't over. I've gotten at least 5 of these and received waivers. These DQ statuses go on the status section of your DODMERB page. New exams or findings will follow up on that on that same page and eventually there should be a status that says "Date Exam Reviewed". The method that I used was faxing. One of the counselors told me to put a front page when you fax which includes important information: name, SSN, and what the appeal is for. Ex.-New Eye Exam. Then you attach the report on behind and send. I think I still have the fax number; I'm sure I'm missing something but always call if they received it. Hope I made sense and answered your question. Good luck.
 
Where did the waiver denial come from? Who/What was the source? What did the letter say? Sometimes the waiver denial letter doesn't include instructions to appeal because they have made their decision. Agree with dkdino that they will consider new medical information. If you have new information, recommend you contact the entity that sent you the medical waiver denial letter and let them know you have new medical information and you would like to know how to submit it and appeal their denial decision.
 
Where did the waiver denial come from? Who/What was the source? What did the letter say? Sometimes the waiver denial letter doesn't include instructions to appeal because they have made their decision. Agree with dkdino that they will consider new medical information. If you have new information, recommend you contact the entity that sent you the medical waiver denial letter and let them know you have new medical information and you would like to know how to submit it and appeal their denial decision.
The waiver denial came from DoDMerb. dkdino was correct in saying that the letter states it may not be over. For ROTC programs it states "Your ROTC commander will make a decision on initiating a request for a medical waiver", and my problem in moving forward lies here since my cadre find my case a cause with little/no chance of an appeal.
 
Ah . . . Got it . . . Your waiver has not been denied . . . You have received a DQ from DoDMERB and your ROTC commander has not yet put you forward for a waiver. I assume DoDMERB did not ask for a "remedial"? If I may ask, what ROTC are you in? Army, Navy, Air Force?
 
I am in Air Force ROTC. It has been denied, however the letter from DoDMERB words it as if it were a new finding and the process had not been started yet. I've copied over the code and the parts of the letter of concern below:

From DoDMERB website:
Agency: US Air Force CSB
Cycle Year:2015
Current Medical Status: Medical waiver denied
Code Description
D260.71 Waiver Denied - AFROTC - CSP

From the DQ letter:
While I know this news is disappointing, the process "may" not be over for you. Medical waiver processing is possible. You will not be denied entry to any of the programs listed below, soley because of a DoDMERB medical disqualification. Any additional medical information you submit now will be forwarded for the waiver authority's review. The waiver processes, by program, are below:
...
On-Campus ROTC (locally awarded by college and university): Your ROTC Commander will make a decision on initiating a request for a medical waiver.
 
db926 -- thank you for posting the details. Would be good if others could weigh in here with more experience than I. I am not a doctor.

I assume you know that DoDMERB only determines whether you are qualified or DQ and the commissioning source (in your case the AFROTC Surgeon General) determines whether to grant a medical waiver or not.

The text in your DoDMERB letter talking waiver processing is confusing to me. To me the codes they used indicate that the waiver authority (AFROTC Surgeon General) has already reviewed your information and made a determination not to grant a waiver. Perhaps instead AFROTC has given DoDMERB guidance that if they DQ someone with your condition they are to also automatically post "waiver denied" since they may view it as non-waiverable condition. I don't know this. I'm speculating. You might ask DoDMERB. I do know that Army ROTC has in the past put out a letter to their ROTC commanders listing what they view as non-waiverable conditions. I'm assuming AFROTC has a similar list.

My experience is the AF (both USAFA and AFROTC) are different from the other services in that for the Army and Navy, the "waiver authority" is the SA Supt or the ROTC commanding general/admiral and the doctors advise the waiver authorities. For the AF, the medical waiver authority are the AF docs directly. Perhaps why your AFROTC commander is reluctant to put you forward (again?) for a waiver.

I think the original advice is still the best. Contact DoDMERB and ask how to submit your additional information so the AFROTC medical authority can review it and reconsider your waiver request.
 
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