Anyone else has child w BRACES waiting on waiver to clear?

[Sunnydae]

My DS sent waiver in second week in March from orthodontist. USMA counselor requested to be sent copy directly last week. Received LOAs from USMA and USAFA pending braces approval. No word from USNA, DS first choice. This is driving us batty as braces would seem like such a common issue to have with teens. Anyone know of kids who are declined due to having braces?

 

[Falcon A]

Sunny -- I am NOT a doctor or dentist

Here is the link to the document DoDMERB uses to determine whether "Q" or "DQ": http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003p.pdf

Page 16, section 9, item d. seems relevant to your DS' condition:

"9. DENTAL

d. Current orthodontic appliances (mounted or removable, i.e., Invisalign®) for continued active treatment (V53.4). Permanent or removable retainers are permissible. Individuals undergoing active orthodontic care are acceptable for accession (including DEP) only if a civilian or military orthodontist provides documentation that active orthodontic treatment shall be completed prior to being sworn into active duty. Entrance to active duty will not occur until all orthodontic treatment is documented to be completed."

Sounds like you've done what you need to do . . . Best wishes to you and your DS and thanks for his willingness to serve.

 

[Hashbrowns and eggs]

If that is an issue, couldn't you just get them removed?

 

[Sunnydae]

Sunny -- I am NOT a doctor or dentist

Here is the link to the document DoDMERB uses to determine whether "Q" or "DQ": http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003p.pdf

Page 16, section 9, item d. seems relevant to your DS' condition:

"9. DENTAL

d. Current orthodontic appliances (mounted or removable, i.e., Invisalign®) for continued active treatment (V53.4). Permanent or removable retainers are permissible. Individuals undergoing active orthodontic care are acceptable for accession (including DEP) only if a civilian or military orthodontist provides documentation that active orthodontic treatment shall be completed prior to being sworn into active duty. Entrance to active duty will not occur until all orthodontic treatment is documented to be completed."

Sounds like you've done what you need to do . . . Best wishes to you and your DS and thanks for his willingness to serve.

Thank you for your thorough response. I have read everything I could, and am aware of the regulations. My issue lies with the processing time. It seems that most waivers take no longer than two weeks to resolve once paperwork has been faxed/sent to DODMERB. Today makes exactly one month since the orthodontist faxed the papers back. DS and I are hopeful the light at the tunnel gets bright this week as we are nearing the common deadline of 4/15!

 

[Sunnydae]

If that is an issue, couldn't you just get them removed?

I wish it were that simple. He would still need an orthodontist to write the time the treatment should end. However, they need only be removed prior to I Day. Or R Day. Depending on the Academy. I have done what they required. The wait is killing us. As of late Friday, all three academies are holding a spot for my son, waiting on his medical clearance/waiver.

 

[Navy911]

My son had braces and we had a remedial request for additional information and once that got sent it his portal was updated less than a week later. I’m not sure why you had to get a waiver those are when you are DQ’ed and the Academy requests it braces aren’t a DQ’ing reason unless they won’t be removed before I-day.
I recommend getting the paperwork from the orthodontist and scanning/emailing it to your DODMERB rep directly.

 

[THParent]

If the condition of your DS's LOA is the dental issue, it's a DoDMERB thing, not so much an Academy thing (other than if the braces aren't going to be removed prior to I-Day, there needs to be a waiver).
What I mean by that is that you can breathe a little easier, in that the "April 15th deadline" is only when they propose to get out most Offers of Appointment.
Offers will often be delayed by medical paperwork and waivers - so if all the information that DoDMERB has requested is already in to them - you just wait.

Now, if your DS sent in the remedial paperwork (you wrote "waiver", but I think you meant the answer to the DoDMERB remedial that will be reviewed for a waiver by the Academy) in March, it wouldn't be considered bad form to send an EMail to the Admissions Counselor to make sure that they have the paperwork and that they aren't waiting on anything from him.

Remember that the LOA means that they want him to receive an appointment.
If the paperwork complies with what they require, a waiver will be granted and an Offer will be tendered.

 

[Sunnydae]

My son had braces and we had a remedial request for additional information and once that got sent it his portal was updated less than a week later. I’m not sure why you had to get a waiver those are when you are DQ’ed and the Academy requests it braces aren’t a DQ’ing reason unless they won’t be removed before I-day.
I recommend getting the paperwork from the orthodontist and scanning/emailing it to your DODMERB rep directly.

If the condition of your DS's LOA is the dental issue, it's a DoDMERB thing, not so much an Academy thing (other than if the braces aren't going to be removed prior to I-Day, there needs to be a waiver).
What I mean by that is that you can breathe a little easier, in that the "April 15th deadline" is only when they propose to get out most Offers of Appointment.
Offers will often be delayed by medical paperwork and waivers - so if all the information that DoDMERB has requested is already in to them - you just wait.

Now, if your DS sent in the remedial paperwork (you wrote "waiver", but I think you meant the answer to the DoDMERB remedial that will be reviewed for a waiver by the Academy) in March, it wouldn't be considered bad form to send an EMail to the Admissions Counselor to make sure that they have the paperwork and that they aren't waiting on anything from him.

Remember that the LOA means that they want him to receive an appointment.
If the paperwork complies with what they require, a waiver will be granted and an Offer will be tendered.

I sent the required DoDMERB paperwork back to them. Well, the orthodontist faxed it. I rechecked the paperwork today. It was done in late January. They are now requesting letterhead from the orthodontist with a sentence that reads “braces will be removed before 7/2/18”. The USMA sent email and letter stating waiver is in review. Portal stated USAFA is reviewing for waiver. I have a letter stating he was medically DISQUALIFIED from the big three due to ongoing orthodontic treatment. Nothing in anything we have access to says anything about REMEDIAL. Received update on portal this morning that DS has been waitlisted for the USNA. Waiting for the Surgeon, USMA, to “indicate that your medical condition may be waived for admission AND if you are qualified for admission in all other respects, you will be considered automatically for a waiver through an Admissions Committee review of your completed file”. DS is a bit heartbroken about the waitlist, but is accepting the reality of an Army future with some zest. Both Dad and I are Army vets.