Will I need a waiver?

[frenzymando]

Last October I partially dislocated(I think the term for this is a subluxation) my shoulder and I visited a doctor about it. He told me my condition was very minor and that I would likely be able to recover through doing these exercises to strengthen my shoulder at home. I did them for the next 6 months and my shoulder improved(I no longer have subluxations) and today I visited the doctor again for a reevaluation. He said that I had completely recovered and that surgery for it would be unnecessary. I mentioned having to pass a medical exam for the military and I asked if getting the surgery would make me have a better chance of getting a waiver. He told me I wouldn't even need a waiver because I had completely recovered. Is this true? Will I not even be DQ'd?

 

[USAFA83GradWife]

Last October I partially dislocated(I think the term for this is a subluxation) my shoulder and I visited a doctor about it. He told me my condition was very minor and that I would likely be able to recover through doing these exercises to strengthen my shoulder at home. I did them for the next 6 months and my shoulder improved(I no longer have subluxations) and today I visited the doctor again for a reevaluation. He said that I had completely recovered and that surgery for it would be unnecessary. I mentioned having to pass a medical exam for the military and I asked if getting the surgery would make me have a better chance of getting a waiver. He told me I wouldn't even need a waiver because I had completely recovered. Is this true? Will I not even be DQ'd?

I would get a letter from your doctor that states exactly what you said here -- that you are completely healed, just in case DoDMERB asks for additional information about it. Don't send it unless they ask for it.

 

[kphopeful2019]

Yeah I would think you'd be fine. Is it 100% now? Because I was in a similar situation a while back (torn shoulder muscle) but was recovered prior to exams. I didnt even tell them about it because the famous saying goes the less you tell them the better off you are. However, if you do choose to tell them about it I would be certain that you are able to get a docs note saying that you're good to go

 

[frenzymando]

Yeah I would think you'd be fine. Is it 100% now? Because I was in a similar situation a while back (torn shoulder muscle) but was recovered prior to exams. I didnt even tell them about it because the famous saying goes the less you tell them the better off you are. However, if you do choose to tell them about it I would be certain that you are able to get a docs note saying that you're good to go

I have recovered but isn't it lying if it asks if I have a history of subluxations and I say no? If they don't ask specifically about it I probably won't tell them. Did they ask you a specific question about your issue?

 

[kphopeful2019]

To be honest I didn't tell them a thing about it on my domerb(since I was 100%). It was never brought up nor discussed in the slightest. If you have had a surgery or something major like that for it then you should probably list it. Also, I'm not sure if it was technically ok to "cover it up" like I did, but it worked just fine for me.

 

[falconchic88]

Frenzy, answer the DODMERB form honestly. Do not volunteer information that is not asked about, but what is asked about, answer honestly. The form lets you go in to detail about any injury you answer "yes" to. If it asks about a history of subluxations, you will have opportunity to say when it occurred, the doctor who treated you, the treatment given and prognosis. Be clear that injury is healed, your were cleared for all activity by physician, and past injury will have no effect on physical activity or military service. Even with that explanation, you may still have to fill out an orthopedic form to send in with DODMERB exam. During exam your examiner may or may not ask about it. Since you did fill it out on form, there is no need to bring it up to examiner unless he specifically asks you about it. Once exam has been submitted you may still receive a remedial asking for your medical records and letter from doctor with regard to the injury so have that ready just in case. Follow and trust the process, and be honest and you should be fine. IMPO, Having surgery would be worse and complicate matters more, so if your doctor says you are healed and its unnecessary I would not volunteer for surgery.