dodmerb waiver chances??

@GoCubbies You seem to be pretty knowledgeable about waivers. My son got DQ’d for a concussion he had 5 yrs ago when he was 14 and the paperwork says symptoms lasted longer than a month. In actuality, we were just being over cautious parents with all of the talk going on about concussions.

He also got a DQ for a knee surgery 4-5 years ago. This wasn’t an ACL tear it was more a knee cap dislocation and some ligament repair. Again no ACL.

He has a AROTC 3 yr scholarship that kicks in next year. Do you have any insight for us? Are either of these non-waiverable? If they are waiverable, is there anything we should be doing or anyone we should be talking to or should we wait for the waiver board to decide?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.
 
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AROTCorNROTC said:
@GoCubbies You seem to be pretty knowledgeable about waivers. My son got DQ’d for a concussion he had 5 yrs ago when he was 14 and the paperwork says symptoms lasted longer than a month. In actuality, we were just being over cautious parents with all of the talk going on about concussions.

He also got a DQ for a knee surgery 4-5 years ago. This wasn’t an ACL tear it was more a knee cap dislocation and some ligament repair. Again no ACL.

He has a AROTC 3 yr scholarship that kicks in next year. Do you have any insight for us? Are either of these non-waiverable? If they are waiverable, is there anything we should be doing or anyone we should be talking to or should we wait for the waiver board to decide?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.
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This is not related to USMA, is it? You might reach out via direct message.
 
AROTCorNROTC said:
@GoCubbies You seem to be pretty knowledgeable about waivers. My son got DQ’d for a concussion he had 5 yrs ago when he was 14 and the paperwork says symptoms lasted longer than a month. In actuality, we were just being over cautious parents with all of the talk going on about concussions.

He also got a DQ for a knee surgery 4-5 years ago. This wasn’t an ACL tear it was more a knee cap dislocation and some ligament repair. Again no ACL.

He has a AROTC 3 yr scholarship that kicks in next year. Do you have any insight for us? Are either of these non-waiverable? If they are waiverable, is there anything we should be doing or anyone we should be talking to or should we wait for the waiver board to decide?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.
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Yes, both are waiverable.

For the concussion, there are 2 big things to worry about in the long term - seizures and cognitive deficits. I don't know the severity of concussion you DS had, but he's already 5 years out from it. His risk for seizures, depending on the severity, is quite low at this point.

The other thing is cognitive deficits. I'm assuming your son did well in HS because he got the 3-year AD scholarship. He also picked AROTC instead of NROTC so that's another sign he's thinking straight. He can include his college and HS transcripts in the packet to prove his noggin isn't broke.

Given the chances for seizures is low at this point and the picture you paint is he doesn't have any cognitive deficits, I like his chances for a waiver for the concussion.

As for the knee, let's say it's just a one-time patellar dislocation and ligament (does medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction sound familiar?) and no damage to any other structure, I like his chances for a waiver too. If you haven't done so, be prepared to provide all the medical records regarding the patellar dislocation. Make sure you include the operative report of the repair too. Another thing that would help is a letter from his PMS stating that he's doing regular ROTC PT without any issue. The PMS can also give your DS a copy of his ACFT card to add in the waiver packet. Bottom line is if this is a one-time thing and it is fixed AND he's proven the knee is back to normal by participating in activities that stress the knee, then he's got a really good chance for a waiver with AROTC.

As a reminder, DoDMERB doesn't grant or deny waivers. That is the purview of the individual services. For AROTC, the waiver authority is the Command General, US Army Cadet Command. The docs on his staff will review the packet and make a recommendation to him.

Good luck!
 
GoCubbies said:
Yes, both are waiverable.

For the concussion, there are 2 big things to worry about in the long term - seizures and cognitive deficits. I don't know the severity of concussion you DS had, but he's already 5 years out from it. His risk for seizures, depending on the severity, is quite low at this point.

The other thing is cognitive deficits. I'm assuming your son did well in HS because he got the 3-year AD scholarship. He also picked AROTC instead of NROTC so that's another sign he's thinking straight. He can include his college and HS transcripts in the packet to prove his noggin isn't broke.

Given the chances for seizures is low at this point and the picture you paint is he doesn't have any cognitive deficits, I like his chances for a waiver for the concussion.

As for the knee, let's say it's just a one-time patellar dislocation and ligament (does medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction sound familiar?) and no damage to any other structure, I like his chances for a waiver too. If you haven't done so, be prepared to provide all the medical records regarding the patellar dislocation. Make sure you include the operative report of the repair too. Another thing that would help is a letter from his PMS stating that he's doing regular ROTC PT without any issue. The PMS can also give your DS a copy of his ACFT card to add in the waiver packet. Bottom line is if this is a one-time thing and it is fixed AND he's proven the knee is back to normal by participating in activities that stress the knee, then he's got a really good chance for a waiver with AROTC.

As a reminder, DoDMERB doesn't grant or deny waivers. That is the purview of the individual services. For AROTC, the waiver authority is the Command General, US Army Cadet Command. The docs on his staff will review the packet and make a recommendation to him.

Good luck!
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Thank you for your input! I’d hate to see all of his hard work be derailed because of issues that are long over with. @GoCubbies
 
*UPDATE* I got an AMI request for blood work results and I was just wondering if they'd DQ me for high insulin levels associated with PCOS? I know diabetes is a DQ, and I do not have diabetes at all, but my insulin levels are high because of my PCOS. However, my blood glucose and A1C levels are completely normal. Would this be reason for a DQ after I submit the lab results?
 
skibidi127 said:
*UPDATE* I got an AMI request for blood work results and I was just wondering if they'd DQ me for high insulin levels associated with PCOS? I know diabetes is a DQ, and I do not have diabetes at all, but my insulin levels are high because of my PCOS. However, my blood glucose and A1C levels are completely normal. Would this be reason for a DQ after I submit the lab results?
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Yes it's very possible it is/was a cause for a DQ (or not being granted a waiver) because hyperinsulinemia is a metabolic complication of PCOS.

As a fair warning, I'm not a waiver authority and I don't know how lax some of the commissioning sources are with their waivers for this upcoming academic year. I'm just providing my insights from past experience.
 
GoCubbies said:
Yes it's very possible it is/was a cause for a DQ (or not being granted a waiver) because hyperinsulinemia is a metabolic complication of PCOS.

As a fair warning, I'm not a waiver authority and I don't know how lax some of the commissioning sources are with their waivers for this upcoming academic year. I'm just providing my insights from past experience.
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This is a little late, but after I submitted the AMI, they requested a letter from my doctor asking for a prognosis for military service and associated complications. The letter stated that I would have no complications or athletic limitations due to PCOS, and that my prognosis in the military would be without problems. However, I submitted this more than a month ago, and I thought that a letter that was so straightforward about my condition would give the waiver authorities an easier and faster time to decide on it. My FFR recommended that I email my case manager, and he told me that my case was sent to the authorities on Oct 4, and they have an additional 45 days to render a decision or request AMI.
I'm thinking that they're either cross-checking with my doctor to make sure that the letter isn't forged, or they're waiting until I completed my CFA? Do those have anything to do with each other? Everything else is completed (excluding noms & medical & cfa).
 
skibidi127 said:
This is a little late, but after I submitted the AMI, they requested a letter from my doctor asking for a prognosis for military service and associated complications. The letter stated that I would have no complications or athletic limitations due to PCOS, and that my prognosis in the military would be without problems. However, I submitted this more than a month ago, and I thought that a letter that was so straightforward about my condition would give the waiver authorities an easier and faster time to decide on it. My FFR recommended that I email my case manager, and he told me that my case was sent to the authorities on Oct 4, and they have an additional 45 days to render a decision or request AMI.
I'm thinking that they're either cross-checking with my doctor to make sure that the letter isn't forged, or they're waiting until I completed my CFA? Do those have anything to do with each other? Everything else is completed (excluding noms & medical & cfa).
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In our experience the Waiver Authority can be slow, for my son it was 5 weeks after submitted to them before he was cleared. It just takes time for them to get through everyone/everything that they are processing. The wait is really hard, but your answer is coming and every day you are one day closer. Just keep an eye on your portal if they would ask for anything else and good luck!
 
skibidi127 said:
This is a little late, but after I submitted the AMI, they requested a letter from my doctor asking for a prognosis for military service and associated complications. The letter stated that I would have no complications or athletic limitations due to PCOS, and that my prognosis in the military would be without problems. However, I submitted this more than a month ago, and I thought that a letter that was so straightforward about my condition would give the waiver authorities an easier and faster time to decide on it. My FFR recommended that I email my case manager, and he told me that my case was sent to the authorities on Oct 4, and they have an additional 45 days to render a decision or request AMI.
I'm thinking that they're either cross-checking with my doctor to make sure that the letter isn't forged, or they're waiting until I completed my CFA? Do those have anything to do with each other? Everything else is completed (excluding noms & medical & cfa).
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DD is in a similar situation. Have you heard anything back?
 
Canmum said:
DD is in a similar situation. Have you heard anything back?
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Yes, I got a call a few weeks ago from my RC saying I was denied a waiver for being on medication. I hope your DD has a different outcome!
 
I am so sorry. That just means a different path will open up for you. God bless.
 
I know this thread has not been updated in a while, but I just wanted to update it in case others who are in a similar situation might find some clarity.
I have mild PCOS due to slightly increased levels in testosterone that are back to normal with the help of medication (Metformin, specifically).
I am a national qualifying wrestler, so I did not think this would limit my athletic abilities during my time at the academies or during active duty. That was, until I got DQed for it to all the SAs I was applying to (USMA, USNA, USAFA). After that, my waiver process was initiated due to my application being competitive.
Out of those 3, USMA & USNA have denied my waiver, with the reasons being "have not been off medication long enough (they told me that USMA prefers at least 2 years off)" & that I am not "deemed fit for active duty in the Navy". My appointment to USNA was rescinded due to this.
However, USAFA just gave me a waiver, saying I was medically qualified for the academy & active duty. I have now committed there.
Overall, I ask that you not lose hope for your situations. After all, rejection is redirection. I could not be happier with my commitment to USAFA. Good luck to everyone, stay strong :)
 
sktr127 said:
I know this thread has not been updated in a while, but I just wanted to update it in case others who are in a similar situation might find some clarity.
I have mild PCOS due to slightly increased levels in testosterone that are back to normal with the help of medication (Metformin, specifically).
I am a national qualifying wrestler, so I did not think this would limit my athletic abilities during my time at the academies or during active duty. That was, until I got DQed for it to all the SAs I was applying to (USMA, USNA, USAFA). After that, my waiver process was initiated due to my application being competitive.
Out of those 3, USMA & USNA have denied my waiver, with the reasons being "have not been off medication long enough (they told me that USMA prefers at least 2 years off)" & that I am not "deemed fit for active duty in the Navy". My appointment to USNA was rescinded due to this.
However, USAFA just gave me a waiver, saying I was medically qualified for the academy & active duty. I have now committed there.
Overall, I ask that you not lose hope for your situations. After all, rejection is redirection. I could not be happier with my commitment to USAFA. Good luck to everyone, stay strong :)
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Thanks so much for the detailed update! Congratulations!
 
DD just got USMA waiver for PCOS (abnormal uterine bleeding). Never medicated. There was a line in the DODMERB reasons for disqualification that said PCOS was allowable if there was no metabolic syndrome present. She submitted labs and MD statement. AMI requested in 12/23. Waiver granted 3/24. No movement on USCGA waiver (says under waiver review), but it's my understanding that they don't pursue those until they offer an appointment. One step closer!!
 
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