Has anyone EVER succeeded after waiver decline?

Toughbreak

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2012
Messages
3
Hello Everyone,

I am (well, was) a maritime academy ROTC cadet. I started later than most so I am not a straight out of high-school 18 year old. I have been an ROTC cadet for a year now and had my heart and mind set on commissioning and active duty. In October, I was DQ'd for history of mood disorder and hematuria. The mmod and hematuria issues are all part of my distant past. My LT's seemed confident I could get a waiver. Well, today, the last day of my first year at the academy, my letter arrived. BUMED has declined my waiver for history of anxiety and hematuria. Its like they didn't even read all my records, doctors letters, and statements regarding my good health and ability to serve. The letter was literally 2 sentences long. POOF. Like that, my career is over. Doesn't matter that I'm a 4.0 honor student with Excellent PRT scores and several awards this year. I guess my questions are these;

Is there any human way possible to move forward?
Has anyone managed to overcome a waiver denial?

Thanks for any info. My time here at the academy seems wasted if there is no way to move forward.
 
waiver appeal

Our experience, and this was with the Coast Guard Academy, was positive. We requested, and were subsequently granted, permission to appeal the decision. As it happens, we were eventually successful. The only way forward that we are aware of is to follow that example..... politely request the opportunity to appeal with the specific branch that denied the waiver in the first place. They may, or may not, say yes. Good luck
 
Interesting. I have been thinking that the only real option is to politely ask BUMED for the opportunity to appeal. My LT's did not seem to think this was an option, but I have learned from experience that no often only means no if you lay down and accept it. Thanks for your response!
 
Not entirely in the same boat as you, but close. Received an AFROTC scholarship, accepted, DQed and waiver denied for history of asthma per being on an active oral steroid. Only reason I was on it was because I got sick and my doctor gave it to me as a precautionary per my history as a child -____-.

If there's a will, there's a way, right? Oh wait, this is the government we're talking about...
 
Not entirely in the same boat as you, but close. Received an AFROTC scholarship, accepted, DQed and waiver denied for history of asthma per being on an active oral steroid. Only reason I was on it was because I got sick and my doctor gave it to me as a precautionary per my history as a child -____-.

If there's a will, there's a way, right? Oh wait, this is the government we're talking about...
Could you please describe what you did after the waiver was denied and how things played out?
 
Waiver Denied Second Time

I was able to get authority for an appeal of my denied medical waiver. Second Doctor evaluated and performed a second biopsy and the results were negative for Psoriasis. Second Biopsy showed it to be nummular eczema. Sent pathology report and statement from my doctor (Retired Navy), thought I got lucky with a Navy doctor.

Anyway, sent paperwork for second review, two days later denied again. The Waiver doctor disagreed with the reevaluation and second pathology report. Felt first report was more accurate. Also quoted a line I put into my email as support for his recommendation. I try to sound intelligent but didn’t realize that words from an18 year old could sway a professional doctor in the US Navy to a proper medical diagnosis.

Anyway, from what I’m being told this is it for me with the Navy. Hoped I would have had better feedback to provide on reversing a denial but not this time.

Best of luck to everybody…
 
It's absolutely amazing what congressional intervention in such cases can accomplish...
 
lyntrod said:
It's absolutely amazing what congressional intervention in such cases can accomplish.

Did I miss a beat here? I did not see one poster stating congressional intervention. Did you have congressional intervention for your DQ?

Please elaborate your post. It is important that members and lurkers get the best info possible, your post implies that contacting the MOC will aid in this DQ process.

Don't raise your feathers, it is not an antagonistic post, it is meant to continue the conversation of how a DQ can be waived. It is not personal, it is military regs.
 
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I was DQ for systemic reactions to bee stings. Denied waiver by Dodmerb, appealed to Bumed, waiver also denied by them. I then wrote the superintendent (USMMA) begging him to overturn the waiver. He then called the doctor looking at my case to see if there was a loophole. Thankfully there was and I condensed an anti venom therapy into 4 weeks with 6 shots a week to make me not allergic. He also put me in direct contact with the doctor so I could keep her updated and she could help me through the process. I still have to go in once a month for two-three more years for shots but he granted me the waiver.
The Coast Guard also denied my waiver but were very optimistic about appealing it. I closed my app with the coast guard after I received my appt to USMMA.
AFROTC granted me a waiver right away and did not ask for any additional paperwork unlike the academies
Bottom line. If the Academy really wants you they will try everything to find a way around the waiver in my experience.
 
Thought I would update my situation here. I am in my second year of college now, a regular student now after having been booted out of the NROTC unit due to being DQ'ed by DODMERB, and BUMED denying my waiver request. I have contacted my congressman in the hopes that he may be able to assist, we shall see what happens with that. In the meantime, I am preparing a request to send away to BUMED politely asking them for a second chance. It has been about 5 months now since they sent my Waiver Denial letter, I figure that's a long enough wait before sending another request. Hopefully I have some good news to post before Christmas. I recently discovered an interesting commissioning program with the USCG as well, I may pursue that as an alternative and see if they are willing to give me a chance. Thanks for your interest, and wish me luck!
 
Thought I would update my situation here. I am in my second year of college now, a regular student now after having been booted out of the NROTC unit due to being DQ'ed by DODMERB, and BUMED denying my waiver request. I have contacted my congressman in the hopes that he may be able to assist, we shall see what happens with that. In the meantime, I am preparing a request to send away to BUMED politely asking them for a second chance. It has been about 5 months now since they sent my Waiver Denial letter, I figure that's a long enough wait before sending another request. Hopefully I have some good news to post before Christmas. I recently discovered an interesting commissioning program with the USCG as well, I may pursue that as an alternative and see if they are willing to give me a chance. Thanks for your interest, and wish me luck!

Best wishes! :thumb:
 
I am here to encourage any of you who have received a denial to a medical waiver. My son needed to get 3 different medical waivers. He is currently a C4C at the USAFA. So, just because you get a denial, that may not be the end of the road for you. The first two waivers went through smoothly. The last one he needed (for asthma) was the most difficult. First let me explain that he received a letter of acceptance back on Feb 9th, being conditional on his medical waiver. He and I were quite persistent, reaching out to anyone and everyone that we thought could help. He eventually got the GREAT news around May 22nd, leaving him only about 4 weeks to prepare to enter the Academy. It was probably the longest 3 months of our lives, not knowing where he was going to attend college, not knowing when he would receive any news (good or bad), but with persistence and prayer, he was able to accomplish something he has wanted to do since he was about 10 years old. Let me tell you also that we have NO military connections what so ever. I wish any and all who are trying to get waivers the best of luck. It is not easy, but it is possible. I kept telling my son that the mental challenge he was facing would help him at some point in his life. Good Luck to you.:angel:
 
I am here to encourage any of you who have received a denial to a medical waiver. My son needed to get 3 different medical waivers. He is currently a C4C at the USAFA. So, just because you get a denial, that may not be the end of the road for you. The first two waivers went through smoothly. The last one he needed (for asthma) was the most difficult. First let me explain that he received a letter of acceptance back on Feb 9th, being conditional on his medical waiver. He and I were quite persistent, reaching out to anyone and everyone that we thought could help. He eventually got the GREAT news around May 22nd, leaving him only about 4 weeks to prepare to enter the Academy.

Congrats to your son, but that's not a waiver denial, that's a waiver approval.

A waiver denial would be if his waiver was.......denied. :wink:

Those cases are rarely overturned. Not "never" but "rarely."
 
I am here to encourage any of you who have received a denial to a medical waiver. My son needed to get 3 different medical waivers. He is currently a C4C at the USAFA. So, just because you get a denial, that may not be the end of the road for you. The first two waivers went through smoothly. The last one he needed (for asthma) was the most difficult. First let me explain that he received a letter of acceptance back on Feb 9th, being conditional on his medical waiver. He and I were quite persistent, reaching out to anyone and everyone that we thought could help. He eventually got the GREAT news around May 22nd, leaving him only about 4 weeks to prepare to enter the Academy. It was probably the longest 3 months of our lives, not knowing where he was going to attend college, not knowing when he would receive any news (good or bad), but with persistence and prayer, he was able to accomplish something he has wanted to do since he was about 10 years old. Let me tell you also that we have NO military connections what so ever. I wish any and all who are trying to get waivers the best of luck. It is not easy, but it is possible. I kept telling my son that the mental challenge he was facing would help him at some point in his life. Good Luck to you.:angel:


Could you assist in my sons matter?

My son is in the process of applying for a medical waiver for the AFROTC pertaining to ADD. The TSgt has requested a letter from his physician that she can send up. His Doctor is requesting guidance on the format of how this letter should written. Does anyone have an example of one that they would share?
 
Could you assist in my sons matter?

My son is in the process of applying for a medical waiver for the AFROTC pertaining to ADD. The TSgt has requested a letter from his physician that she can send up. His Doctor is requesting guidance on the format of how this letter should written. Does anyone have an example of one that they would share?

Hello -- our daughter had a medical waiver that was denied. She did appeal the decision and was given a full appointment after submitting her letters from the doctor and coaches. We are happy to help if we can.

Thanks!
 
It would be better to start a new thread rather then tack onto one from 5 yrs ago. Many will read the first few posts and seeing it is from 2012, ignore the rest of the thread. Those listed in original thread may be long gone from this forum.
 
I have a thread at: Physician's Letter and Medical Waivers under username markwellfam. I just wasn't getting many replies and started fishing. Do you have an old letter you would be willing to share?
 
Hello -- our daughter had a medical waiver that was denied. She did appeal the decision and was given a full appointment after submitting her letters from the doctor and coaches. We are happy to help if we can.

Thanks!
Hello -- our daughter had a medical waiver that was denied. She did appeal the decision and was given a full appointment after submitting her letters from the doctor and coaches. We are happy to help if we can.

Thanks!
Hello -- our daughter had a medical waiver that was denied. She did appeal the decision and was given a full appointment after submitting her letters from the doctor and coaches. We are happy to help if we can.

Thanks!
How long did it take to appeal the denied waiver, and who did you send your DD's letters and additional medical information? Thank you!
 
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