USAFA83GradWife
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2013
- Messages
- 1,113
I've been lurking for some time on this board, so decided I would impart some of our experiences about the DoDMERB process. I hope this helps someone.
I know this is late for this year's class, but for next year, get started EARLY! Especially if you have an item that might get flagged for review. In Aug, DD was flagged for grade-1 spondylolysis, a stress fracture in the spine, that occurred in 8th grade (actually 10% of elite athletes have this and don't know it.) I called DoDMERB when she showed DQ-ed on the DoDMERB site and before I got the letter from them. They said get all medical information and xray reports in "before the rush" and we could possibly hear within 2 weeks about a waiver. Waiting longer than that would extend that time to a month or more. At this point, we didn't even know if USAFA or USNA would request a waiver, but we decided to think positive and started collecting all the data!
Both SAs asked for a waiver the next day and we got the DoDMERB letter a couple of days after that. Here's a list of items I had to get for them (this may be different from what they ask of you, but I think it's a good representative set):
1. all medical records relating to condition or injury
2. x-ray and/or MRI "reports" (they did not want the films)
3. letter from doctor clearing you for all activity - list any limitations if applicable
4. physical therapy notes (I think they want to know if you successfully completed PT - my own guess)
5. list of activities & sports currently being played
I also sent in a letter from DD's orthopedic spine specialist explaining the condition and why it isn't a factor. We were lucky in that he was a retired Army Col who worked at Walter Reed and his job was to determine fitness for deployment. That being said, any other letters you can get from the doctor or specialist never hurts to send. When in doubt, get it & sent it.
Other good to know items:
Try to send everything at once. It's just makes life less complicated and saves you stamps. If the SA's WA doesn't have everything they need, they put the file aside and have DoDMERB send you another letter about the missing items (or in our case, additional information because they noticed something in the medical records - DD had a torn ACL/meniscus surgery last year. This was a much bigger package to send them since it was a 1 year recovery time.) I suspect DoDMERB probably stopped the review once they saw the spondylolysis.
I wanted to scan it all in & send it to them, but was told that they needed a hard copy of everything. They would rather you send them paper (No need to spend tax payer money on printing everything). They then scan it all into the right format to send to the WA.
DoDMERB does not make the final waiver decision. Each SA has it's own WA medical board to do this, so calling them about the status won't get you anywhere. They *are* very nice, though, and try to help you as best they can.
If you call DoDMERB and you have to leave a message, don't worry, they will call back. We never waited more than 2 days.
Check back to the DoDMERB site since it will be updated before you get any letters from them.
The good news, DD got a waiver from USNA in Oct and USAFA in Nov!
Every case is different and each is one is reviewed thoroughly and carefully. That's why it takes so long. Never lose hope!
I know this is late for this year's class, but for next year, get started EARLY! Especially if you have an item that might get flagged for review. In Aug, DD was flagged for grade-1 spondylolysis, a stress fracture in the spine, that occurred in 8th grade (actually 10% of elite athletes have this and don't know it.) I called DoDMERB when she showed DQ-ed on the DoDMERB site and before I got the letter from them. They said get all medical information and xray reports in "before the rush" and we could possibly hear within 2 weeks about a waiver. Waiting longer than that would extend that time to a month or more. At this point, we didn't even know if USAFA or USNA would request a waiver, but we decided to think positive and started collecting all the data!
Both SAs asked for a waiver the next day and we got the DoDMERB letter a couple of days after that. Here's a list of items I had to get for them (this may be different from what they ask of you, but I think it's a good representative set):
1. all medical records relating to condition or injury
2. x-ray and/or MRI "reports" (they did not want the films)
3. letter from doctor clearing you for all activity - list any limitations if applicable
4. physical therapy notes (I think they want to know if you successfully completed PT - my own guess)
5. list of activities & sports currently being played
I also sent in a letter from DD's orthopedic spine specialist explaining the condition and why it isn't a factor. We were lucky in that he was a retired Army Col who worked at Walter Reed and his job was to determine fitness for deployment. That being said, any other letters you can get from the doctor or specialist never hurts to send. When in doubt, get it & sent it.
Other good to know items:
Try to send everything at once. It's just makes life less complicated and saves you stamps. If the SA's WA doesn't have everything they need, they put the file aside and have DoDMERB send you another letter about the missing items (or in our case, additional information because they noticed something in the medical records - DD had a torn ACL/meniscus surgery last year. This was a much bigger package to send them since it was a 1 year recovery time.) I suspect DoDMERB probably stopped the review once they saw the spondylolysis.
I wanted to scan it all in & send it to them, but was told that they needed a hard copy of everything. They would rather you send them paper (No need to spend tax payer money on printing everything). They then scan it all into the right format to send to the WA.
DoDMERB does not make the final waiver decision. Each SA has it's own WA medical board to do this, so calling them about the status won't get you anywhere. They *are* very nice, though, and try to help you as best they can.
If you call DoDMERB and you have to leave a message, don't worry, they will call back. We never waited more than 2 days.
Check back to the DoDMERB site since it will be updated before you get any letters from them.
The good news, DD got a waiver from USNA in Oct and USAFA in Nov!
Every case is different and each is one is reviewed thoroughly and carefully. That's why it takes so long. Never lose hope!