How to dispute DoDMERB eye examination findings? (astigmatism is actually well below limit)

Hello,

I currently have an LOA, Nomination, and notification of 3Q from USMA. The medical process is all I have left in my application, and my status is currently “remedial”, meaning a waiver has not yet been requested because of a lack of information.

The eye examination I took through DoDMERB recorded that I had an astigmatism of +3.25 (over limit of 3.00) in both eyes. However, just recently I got tested again with a private Ophthalmologist, who recorded +2.25 and +2.00 in my eyes, well under the limit. My prescription also has a similar number. My vision was found to be correctable to 20/20 in both exams.

A waiver has not been requested on my behalf yet, so I was wondering whether it would be faster to submit the requisite remedial information and wait for a waiver, or to dispute the findings regarding my astigmatism?

And what is the process like to challenge the findings of a DoDMERB exam?

Thank you for the assistance in advance.

Well, first, for accuracy I don’t think you were given a 3Q letter since one of the “Qs” is the DODMERB medical. Maybe you got a 2Q letter? It might be best to attempt to revisit the DODMETS Eye Doctor taking the other doctor’s findings and ask that he/she revise their original findings. If they will not, I would suggest submitting your doctor’s information pro-actively into DODMERB. I would also include a copy of your current prescription.

My understanding is that even if your astigmatism is over 3 but under 5 and all other areas of eye exam were okay you would probably receive a waiver. Sometimes they will request specific testing (AMI) or Additional Medical Information but I would hope that your information and exams would be enough. If you can’t cut the error off at the pass, don’t worry seems usually a waiverable

MarTac said:

Well, first, for accuracy I don’t think you were given a 3Q letter since one of the “Qs” is the DODMERB medical. Maybe you got a 2Q letter? It might be best to attempt to revisit the DODMETS Eye Doctor taking the other doctor’s findings and ask that he/she revise their original findings. If they will not, I would suggest submitting your doctor’s information pro-actively into DODMERB. I would also include a copy of your current prescription.

My understanding is that even if your astigmatism is over 3 but under 5 and all other areas of eye exam were okay you would probably receive a waiver. Sometimes they will request specific testing (AMI) or Additional Medical Information but I would hope that your information and exams would be enough. If you can’t cut the error off at the pass, don’t worry seems usually a waiverable

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Alright, thanks for the response.

So I faced something similar, the doctor I saw for my physical reported that I had a deformity when I am actually just double jointed. I went to a specialist they took x-rays and did an exam and said nope nothing is wrong you're just hyper-mobile, it's not a deformity. I was then able to submit a letter from this doctor to DODMERB and it never even came up as something I needed to seek a waiver for because of this. I found my DODMERB rep by calling the DODMERB number (on the USAFA admissions page) and following the phone tree to my representative. I then was able to get their email and send it to them. I originally sent it as a google pdf which they are not allowed to open so make sure you send it as a regular pdf file. I was able to just send the letter but I think in your case like MarTac said you should send your prescription, but I would also have your doctor specifically write a note saying what your stigmatism is. Good luck!