Asthma - Waivers

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CFRsDad

5-Year Member
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Jan 25, 2012
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My son has had the dream of attending the USAFA for several years. He turns 17 this week and is in his Junior year of high school. I would appreciate some input from others that may have information related to admissions into the USAFA. The primary question for me is how his medical status will affect his chances of admission.

He was diagnosed with asthma as a child. He has been on Advair for several years and still takes it daily. Until last month, he was still taking Singulair, as well. He was last treated with Prednisone (oral steroids) approx. one year ago.

He uses Nasonex nasal spray daily for allergic rhinitis.

He has been diagnosed with eczema, but has not required topical steroids in over a year. This has been a minor problem; however, one physician did document it as psoriasis in his chart a couple of years ago. We do not believe he has psoriasis and his new physician believes it was only eczema.

How will these items affect his chances?

It is time for us to begin applying for the Summer Seminar and to begin the ramp-up for the application process. I will always support my son in his dreams and aspirations, but I also want to be a realistic voice that helps him make informed decisions about what those dreams and aspirations should be.

Thank you for any constructive input you can offer.
 
CFRsDad said:
My son has had the dream of attending the USAFA for several years. He turns 17 this week and is in his Junior year of high school. I would appreciate some input from others that may have information related to admissions into the USAFA. The primary question for me is how his medical status will affect his chances of admission.

He was diagnosed with asthma as a child. He has been on Advair for several years and still takes it daily. Until last month, he was still taking Singulair, as well. He was last treated with Prednisone (oral steroids) approx. one year ago.

He uses Nasonex nasal spray daily for allergic rhinitis.

He has been diagnosed with eczema, but has not required topical steroids in over a year. This has been a minor problem; however, one physician did document it as psoriasis in his chart a couple of years ago. We do not believe he has psoriasis and his new physician believes it was only eczema.

How will these items affect his chances?

It is time for us to begin applying for the Summer Seminar and to begin the ramp-up for the application process. I will always support my son in his dreams and aspirations, but I also want to be a realistic voice that helps him make informed decisions about what those dreams and aspirations should be.

Thank you for any constructive input you can offer.
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There are waivers for nearly everything in the military, asthma can be waiverd but.... The problem is whether or not he can complete the rigorous training, and whether or not admissions is willing to take that gamble.
 
We were told that any treatment or diagnosis of asthma after age 12 was a disqualifier. DS was given a pre & post spirometry test (at their expense) and passed . He is a Doolie this year.
 
Falcon15 said:
We were told that any treatment or diagnosis of asthma after age 12 was a disqualifier. DS was given a pre & post spirometry test (at their expense) and passed . He is a Doolie this year.
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This is what the DodMERB document states:


11. LUNGS, CHEST WALL, PLEURA, AND MEDIASTINUM


d. Airway hyper responsiveness including asthma (493.xx), reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm (519.11) or asthmatic bronchitis (493.90, reliably diagnosed and symptomatic after the 13th birthday.

(1) Reliable diagnostic criteria may include any of the following elements: substantiated history of cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and/or dyspnea which persists or recurs over a prolonged period of time, generally more than 12 months.

(2) Individuals MEET the standard if within the past 3 years they meet ALL of the criteria in subparagraphs 11.d.(2)(a)-(d).

(a) No use of controller or rescue medications (including, but not limited to inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or short-acting beta agonists).

(b) No exacerbations requiring acute medical treatment.

(c) No use of oral steroids.

(d) A current normal spirometry (within the past 90 days), performed in accordance with American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines and as defined by current National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) standards.


Basically these are the guidelines that DoDMERB will use to determine if a person is qualified or not.

Hope this helps.
 
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