Does he have a chance, medically?

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'92momof3boys

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DS attended SLE and now wants to attend West Point more than ever. As an infant he had some intestines removed and has had some bleeding uclers because of the surgery and scar tissue. There was so much discussions of waivers, he thinks he may have a chance. Does he?
 
You won't know unless he applies.

Given his special circumstances, it may be worth seeking advice from a DoDMERB consultant who can explain how to best postion your DS's case history.

Here is a link to Dr./CAPT. Merchant who used to be director at DoDMERB. He is also a former Marine Pilot and Naval Flight Surgeon.
http://www.dodmerbconsultants.com/

Disclosure: I have not used his services, but others on the forum have.
My DS2 did not need to use him, as he had no DoDMERB issues.
 
Hi '92momof3boys, I have some information to share regarding DoDMERB Consultants but would rather not share in this public forum. It appears that since you are a new user you can't private message yet. Feel free to email me directly if you'd like to hear my story. thegrippos@yahoo.com.
 
Here is a link to DoDI 6130.03: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf

This is the document DoDMERB will use to determine whether your DS is "qualified" or "DQ" -- waivers are required if DoDMERB decides "DQ". Waivers are not determined by DoDMERB but instead by the waiver authority at the SA (or ROTC command).

I am NOT a doctor -- pages 21-24 of the document seem applicable. It appears "timing" (as in when he had surgery, when last treated, etc.) has a lot to do with whether DoDMERB will rule DQ or not for your DS' condition. As to whether a waiver would be granted, it is difficult to say. SAs only put forward candidates for a waiver consideration that they plan to offer an appointment. Best wishes.
 
From the document @Falcon A references page 23 item 7) History of bowel resection is disqualifying.

That's the bad news, but there is the chance for a waiver.

Here is an Army document "non waiverable medical conditions" https://www.jmu.edu/rotc/prospective-cadets/Non-waiverable medical conditions.pdf
It expired April 2015. I do not see anything on the list that would prohibit a waiver for a bowel resection. Just because the condition is not on the list it does not mean a waiver will be granted it just means a waiver could be granted.

And like @gokings814 says, he won't know unless he applies.
 
Thank you for the information, that is what I have been looking for. Has the non-waiverable list been updated?
 
The list I provided is the most recent I have seen, maybe someone has a more recent document. But if you look at that outdated list I has a feel about it as to what would be considered non-waiverable. You could then make the assumption that DS condition may be waived.

Here is a document for conditions that would not allow someone to enlist. It has a similar "feel" to it and you could make the same assumption.
http://navy.army.com/info/join/medical

Keep doing research. Figure out the best way to truthfully fill out the response to the medical history questionnaire DS will get from DoDMERB. They will have to say yes to something related to his surgery. And if you don't already have them, you may want to start collecting his medical records. It will help with filling out the med forms and you will have them if and when they request documentation for a remedial.

Keep doing research. A lot of the DoDMERB process is out of your control, but it helps to be informed.
 
After your application is approximately 50% complete the SA will initiate the DoDMERB process. (I am not sure when the ROTC programs initiate DoDMERB)

From DoDMERB https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/FAQs.aspx
2. How do I schedule a DoDMERB physical?

Applicants for 4 year ROTC programs or guaranteed 3 year ROTC programs (normally applicants still in high school) will be forwarded by the respective programs to DoDMERB AFTER preliminary screening by the program has been completed.

A zip code search will be conducted and will “assign” an applicant to the nearest facility. It may be a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or a government contracted civilian facility (Currently the contract belongs to Concorde, Inc., Philadelphia, PA. Concorde subcontracts out to a number of physicians, optometrists, and in some cases, audiologists, across the country.) In that case, it may be a physician and optometrist in two different locations, but relatively close to each other.

Applicants DO have the flexibility to determine where they would like to get their exams. Currently about 95% of examinations are completed by our contractor. Access to MTFs has been difficult with increased security requirements at the installations around the nation. Applicants generally wait much longer period of times for an appointment at an MTF versus completing their examination at our contractor. DoDMERB has no control over cancelled appointments at MTFs, secondary to deployments, etc.


  • a. The majority of the applicants will be scheduled with Concorde (DoD Contractor). They will receive a scheduling package in the mail with complete instructions along with the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the authorized examining physicians in your region.
    b. The few applicants who will be scheduled at MTFs will receive a post card in the mail and be asked to call 1-800-841-2706.
    c. Applicants “in college” will have their ROTC Detachments/Battalions coordinate the scheduling of their exams.
 
USNA has someone in their admissions office that answers medical questions from candidates. I assume USMA would have the same. You might try this route before you pay someone for help.

Also, you should know that the ability to get a waiver also depends on the particular SA -- some folks get a waiver from one but not from another. If USMA is his only interest, then my comment is somewhat moot.:)
 
USMA is his only choice. If he doesn't get an appointment Texas A&M is his second choice and he will try to get a commission his junior year.
 
OP: As suggested, Apply and see what comes of it.

Fair warning - start gathering any and all documentation you can find from the surgery. Track down the Doctor, gather contact numbers, etc. Most likely, you will be asked for a lot of documentation and/ or another more current opinion.
 
We have the medical reports from when he was an infant. He has seen the same gastro since then and that dr is aware and very supportive of his plans. Should I have the current dr type up a report of the latest surgery? Or do we just give contact information?
 
thegrippos said:
Hi '92momof3boys, I have some information to share regarding DoDMERB Consultants but would rather not share in this public forum. It appears that since you are a new user you can't private message yet. Feel free to email me directly if you'd like to hear my story. thegrippos@yahoo.com.
Click to expand...

How long until you are able to use private messages?
 
None of us work for DODMERB so it really won't do you any good to solicit random medical opinions here. Some conditions are disqualifying, that is just the way it is due to the demands associated with being in the military. No harm in applying and see what happens. Always good to have Plan B options since this is a very competitive process.
 
navy1234 said:
When do you schedule an appointment for dodmerb
Click to expand...

5Day said:
After your application is approximately 50% complete the SA will initiate the DoDMERB process. (I am not sure when the ROTC programs initiate DoDMERB)
Click to expand...

I agree with 5Day -- SAs put you forward for DoDMERB once you have completed a significant portion of the application.

ROTCs only put forward those that have already been selected as scholarship "winners" for DoDMERB appointments. So you have to"win" the scholarship first, then they (DoDMERB) decides if you are "Q" or "DQ" and whether they (the ROTC medical waiver authority) will grant a waiver for any DQ condition. Cuts down on the medical workload.
 
'92momof3boys said:
We have the medical reports from when he was an infant. He has seen the same gastro since then and that dr is aware and very supportive of his plans. Should I have the current dr type up a report of the latest surgery? Or do we just give contact information?
Click to expand...
Here is a flow diagram of the DodMERB waiver process https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/Content/MedicalWaiverConsideration.pdf

We know from DoDI 6130.03 that a bowel resection is disqualifying. The flowchart shows the process, but what we don't know is what criteria is used to grant a waiver. A report from your gastro Dr will help if you get to the point where records or "additional medical information" is requested (see the flowchart). In addition your gastro Dr can help you draft the appropriate response to the "yes" you are going to put on the medical history report. Using the correct doctor words, or quoting a Dr report in the medical history report may help with the process.

This is what worked for my DS.
He had a splenectomy after he was hit by a ball in the abdomen. DoDI 6130.03 states that a splenectomy is disqualifying except when the cause is trauma. In the response section of the medical history report, he was able to cut and paste from his surgical report and pathology reports the appropriate sections that said the cause was trauma and the spleen was healthy except for the huge laceration. I was convinced that a request for medical records was in his future, but I was wrong. What he wrote satisfied the reviewer that he was qualified.

I am not suggesting that you will be able to go directly to qualified, but what you write may expedite the remedial and waiver process.
 
Thank y'all for all the information. I have been reading as much as possible to help him with the application process and all the links posted are so helpful. I realize they are no definite answers, so we will continue to work on the application but will be prepared for the waiver process.
 
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