Medical Qualification Question

[RockyMountainJack]

Hello all! I just received my appointment to USAFA a couple of weeks ago and have a question that I am having difficulty getting answered. I thought of this forum and knew that it is a great source to go to for help.

In January, I fractured my ulna (forearm) during a hockey game. In early February, I lacerated my achilles tendon (due to hockey, again) and had to have surgery to repair the tendon. I have spoken with both doctors regarding my USAFA appointment and they said both injuries will be healed completely, well before I report for BCT on June 27.

On my USAFA app I received the notice that I am now medically disqualified and that USAFA is requesting a waiver on my behalf.

How long will it take to receive my waiver? Do you think that I will receive a waiver and be able to report for BCT? I will be healed well before BCT and in good physical condition. I have already called my admissions counselor and she referred me to the cadet clinic at USAFA. I will call them tomorrow. Is there anything else I can do in order to ensure my appointment? Who do I actually receive the waiver from, USAFA or DoDMERB?

Thank you so much. I really appreciate all of the help.

 

[greentrees]

First question - when did you receive the waiver notification? -- was it in response to the first injury or did you need a waiver for something else?
The waiver paperwork should say what you need to do to obtain the waiver (take additional test, or submit all paperwork pertaining to the issue)

I assume you notified DoDMERB of both injuries, if not, that is your first call.

Once you are medically qualified and then have an injury that disqualifies you, you medical status changes to disqualified. For injuries like this, DoDMERB will be the one to determine qualification.

You have two injuries which need to be resolved. The first, broken forearm should be relatively easy. Cast comes off, do PT, have full range of motion, Doctor & PT people write letter that states you are fully recovered with no restrictions. Send copies of ALL appointments, paperwork, etc to DoDMERB and that issue should be resolved.

Achilles injury -- that's a little more complex. It will take more time to recovery, more PT, etc. But same process - once fully recovered send ALL paperwork pertaining to the injury to DoDMERB with letter from Doctor & PT stating fully recovered.

DoDMERB will then reevaluate and make decision.

So start making copies of everything, save a set for yourself, overnight them to DoDMERB when you are fully recovered.

However, because Achilles injuries are touchy, I would strongly suggest having a plan B school in the wings (pay deposit, register for classes), just in case you are not medically qualified in time for BCT. Other schools deadlines for accepting admission are May 1, and I doubt you will be fully recovered/qualified by then.

Our DS, who had accepted his appointment in January, had minor knee surgery in March 09; he went from medically qualified to disqualified. Surgery done, completed PT, but not given the fully recovered letter until May 2nd. We knew he needed a back up in case his recovery didn't go as expected, or DoDMERB didn't requalify him, so we sent in deposit to Plan B school where he had an academic scholarship. We overnighted all his paperwork to DoDMERB and 5 days later he was medically qualified. BUT, we kept that spot at State U in case his knee gave him issues during BCT. On acceptance day we withdrew him from State U. Lost our deposit, but it was worth having a back up in case. Others might say that was wrong, but for him, having a medical issue so close to BCT it was important to have that back up in case the issue caused a medical turnback in BCT.

 

[Dad]

Others might say that was wrong, but for him, having a medical issue so close to BCT it was important to have that back up in case the issue caused a medical turnback in BCT.

If "they" do say it is wrong, that is "their" problem. Greentrees NAILED this one. +1

 

[Saints2013]

So there is not a time limit to get cleared? just as long as you have it by BCT?

 

[RockyMountainJack]

First question - when did you receive the waiver notification? -- was it in response to the first injury or did you need a waiver for something else?
The waiver paperwork should say what you need to do to obtain the waiver (take additional test, or submit all paperwork pertaining to the issue)

I assume you notified DoDMERB of both injuries, if not, that is your first call.

Once you are medically qualified and then have an injury that disqualifies you, you medical status changes to disqualified. For injuries like this, DoDMERB will be the one to determine qualification.

You have two injuries which need to be resolved. The first, broken forearm should be relatively easy. Cast comes off, do PT, have full range of motion, Doctor & PT people write letter that states you are fully recovered with no restrictions. Send copies of ALL appointments, paperwork, etc to DoDMERB and that issue should be resolved.

Achilles injury -- that's a little more complex. It will take more time to recovery, more PT, etc. But same process - once fully recovered send ALL paperwork pertaining to the injury to DoDMERB with letter from Doctor & PT stating fully recovered.

DoDMERB will then reevaluate and make decision.

So start making copies of everything, save a set for yourself, overnight them to DoDMERB when you are fully recovered.

However, because Achilles injuries are touchy, I would strongly suggest having a plan B school in the wings (pay deposit, register for classes), just in case you are not medically qualified in time for BCT. Other schools deadlines for accepting admission are May 1, and I doubt you will be fully recovered/qualified by then.

Our DS, who had accepted his appointment in January, had minor knee surgery in March 09; he went from medically qualified to disqualified. Surgery done, completed PT, but not given the fully recovered letter until May 2nd. We knew he needed a back up in case his recovery didn't go as expected, or DoDMERB didn't requalify him, so we sent in deposit to Plan B school where he had an academic scholarship. We overnighted all his paperwork to DoDMERB and 5 days later he was medically qualified. BUT, we kept that spot at State U in case his knee gave him issues during BCT. On acceptance day we withdrew him from State U. Lost our deposit, but it was worth having a back up in case. Others might say that was wrong, but for him, having a medical issue so close to BCT it was important to have that back up in case the issue caused a medical turnback in BCT.

Thank you so much for all of the help. Both doctors have issued me letters stating that I will be fully recovered by June 1, which is well before I have to report for BCT on June 27. They have also cleared me to start pool workouts, PT, etc.