Medical Waiver Process

USCGAmichiguy

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2013
Messages
15
Hello, Today I was disqualified for orthodontics and asthma after age 13. Does anyone have information on who I am to contact to work my way towards a medical waiver? I know the waiver process is automatic, but I want to do everything I can to help my case if it means a test or a letter or anything. I know many people have had long stressful battles with DoDMERB and I greatly appreciate any advice you could send my way.

Thanks again and God Bless!
 
My advice is to get the methacholine challenge test done asap so you can just send it in and try to get the process done quickly....unless you don't want to have to pay for it. Also have your doctor send in a letter saying that your asthma doesn't affect your performance...if you feel that it doesn't. I'm currently waiting for a waiver decision from West Point and it is brutal lol! I hope this little advice helps. Good luck!!!
 
USCGAmichiguy: my DS had the same medical DQ. We didn't contact DoDMERB or reach out to anyone, but what we did do was contact DS's pediatricians and requested medical records (just in case we were asked for records). Less than 2 weeks after receiving medical DQ, DS received letter asking for medical records and remedials (spirometry and methacholine challenge). The letter from DoDMERB provided instructions on how to schedule remedials through Concorde. The methacholine test is expensive and paying out of pocket may not be financially feasible for everyone. If you wait for the letter from DoDMERB with instructions on how to schedule appointments there will be no out-of-pocket expenses.

I understand though that time is of essence right now because we are late in the cycle (if you are aiming for Class of 2017). For DS the time frame from medical DQ to medical waiver was two months. It's already April, so timing will be a challenge. Good Luck!
 
I know the waiver process is automatic, but....

The waiver process is not automatic.

If the Admissions Office decides you are not competitive for an appointment, your name will not be forwarded for waiver consideration.

in the case of the Service Academies, the
Service Academy Admissions Office may not even
forward the examination to the Medical Waiver
Authority for waiver review if in the eyes of the
Admissions Office the applicant is not considered
competitive for a chair.

Workflow Diagram of Medical Waiver Consideration

:cool:

PS - if you really do have asthma, a waiver is an extreme longshot, if not impossible. If, however, the asthma diagnosis was before age 13 or not reliably confirmed or treated, then the advice above may help.
 
Thank you all for your help. I will get right on it! @Luigi59 Isn't it an automatic process if I have received a conditional appointment?

I agree with @RNrecruiter that time is of the essence. Any tips on how to speed up the process?

@armystrong I think doing that is a great idea, I will meet with him and get it done soon!
 
@Luigi59 Isn't it an automatic process if I have received a conditional appointment?

Of course.

Being awarded an appointment, conditional or full, more than verifies competitiveness. It confirms it beyond all doubt. :wink:

Your original post did not state anything about a conditional appointment, my response was based only on the facts you provided.
 
Okay, and sorry I didn't mean to leave that out. @Luigi, do you by any chance know DoDMERBs standing on Orthodontics? What they accept? What the terms for it are?
 
Okay, and sorry I didn't mean to leave that out. @Luigi, do you by any chance know DoDMERBs standing on Orthodontics? What they accept? What the terms for it are?

I only know what is stated on the Orthodontic Questionable, which must be signed by the applicant and the orthodontist:

Application for Service Academies:

I acknowledge that my orthodontic appliances MUST be removed and all active
treatment WILL be completed prior to arriving at the Academy.
 
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