I need help!!!

R

rotcmom2014

5-Year Member
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May 17, 2014
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My son has received a 4 year AROTC scholarship and although he had a prior ACL repair 5 years ago we received the DoDMERB decision that he was qualified. Yesterday he was playing in the county tennis finals and had an accident and it appears that he has torn his ACL in his other knee. His orthopedic surgeon has fast tracked him for surgery but my son is very afraid that this will make him lose his scholarship. How soon after the injury must we make notification with the DoDMERB or PMS? Any information that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
 
Oh, no! I am new to all this myself, but I am sure someone with better knowledge will get on here and post. One thing I have read regarding other inquiries is to contact the. DODMERB help desk. When my DS emailed them with a question, they were quite prompt in responding. But do not take my word. Wait to see what others here suggest.
 
Thank you for your concern. This is a little bit of a scary time for us because this was such a great opportunity for such a great kid:(
 
I am so sorry your son is facing this injury. I am not an expert but I think you need to notify DODMERB right away. Additionally, the question that needs to be answered is....will he be ready for PT this fall when school starts? If the answer is yes, then you are ok. But if the answer is no....I don't know what happens but I'm sure someone at DODMERB help desk does.

Best of luck!
 
I would be inclined to contact the ROO at his ROTC unit first and get his take on the situation before contacting DodMerb. Keep in mind your son isn't required to pass a PT test until Dec 15th in order to activate and keep his scholarship.
 
Jcc123 said:
I would be inclined to contact the ROO at his ROTC unit first and get his take on the situation before contacting DodMerb. Keep in mind your son isn't required to pass a PT test until Dec 15th in order to activate and keep his scholarship.
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+1 to Jcc123. ROO will provide proper guidance prior to leaping into trouble. Dec 15 is the key date so you have longer than you might initially think.
 
But aren't being DoDMERB qualified and passing the PT test 2separate issues? Definitely contact someone at your ROTC, but I am thinking that as per the initial DoDMERB qualification letter, that you have to let them know. I would find out from the surgeon what the anticipated "return to full activities with no restrictions" date is. That will be helpful when you talk to people.
You could probably call the help desk and just lay out the scenario without giving names and ask what the procedure is for reporting it. Ask if it is an auto DQ that you will have to get a waiver for.
I feel for your son! This is what I am most afraid of with mine-some freak accident!
 
You technically have to be DodMerb qualified in order to activate the scholarship, which can be as late as Dec. 15th, not in order to start school in August. I'd start with the ROO. He may well tell your son to contact DoDMerb right away, but I'd give him the courtesy of a call before buying trouble perhaps unnecessarily.
 
You definitely need to contact DoDMERB. An ACL tear will take a minimum of 6 months to rehab and he may have to wear a knee brace for a while after that (depends on the doctor.) This is what I suspect will happen: They will probably DQ then ask for a waiver. After rehab, you'll have to go through that period of sending in paperwork for the knee proving he's good to go. I suspect you've already done that with the other knee, so you're ahead of the game.

Good luck. Hearing these kinds of things breaks my heart. DD had an ACL tear as well and it took 9 months of rehab. Please, let us know what happens.
 
Our son had knee surgery (partial meniscectomy) last year shortly after scholarships were awarded. He recovered fully, with no limitations. He was cleared after the required 3 month period. The ACL is different, however. I think it would fall under Code 223.9 (surgical reconstruction of any knee ligament within 12 months). In other words, even if he fully recovers and is released from PT in six months, DODMERB may DQ him until the 12 month period is up.

As other posters have said, it would probably be a good idea to contact his cadre and let them know what has happened.
 
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