Disqualified - medical waiver denied

Ronbo6

5-Year Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2014
Messages
2
Hi,
My daughter was disqualified for the Air Force Academy due to 3 reasons.
1) History of systemic allergic reaction to shellfish/sesame.
2) History of asthma requiring medication within the last year.
3) History of osteochondral defect managed with microfracture surgery and foreign body removal.

We just received the letter from the Air Force Academy denying a medical waiver.

In 2003, my the 8yr old daughter had an allergic reaction to whatever she was eating while we were on a cruise. When we got home, she went to her
pediatrician for testing. We were told that she had asthma and was mildly allergic to many things, but was severely allergic to sesame oil. We had no idea of the asthma, but it made sense that she was allergic to sesame oil as the shrimp she was eating at the time may have been cooked with it. She was prescribed Advair to be taken daily and Albuterol (puffer) for emergency.
She went to this doctor for almost 10 years before hearing that this doctor had misdiagnosed other patients with asthma. Around the same time, my daughter, who is a competitive gymnast, was being recruited by the Air Force Academy. With the asthma issue looming, we took her to a pulmonologist, who tested her (Spirometry) at the initial visit. The results were 10pbbs, well below the 25pbbs used as the level for asthma. She was taken off all medications and rescheduled for 4 weeks later. She was retested at the next visit and without the medications, her level was even lower...8pbbs. Furthermore, she was not allergic to sesame as we were under the impression of, for the last 10yrs. She is allergic to Lobster and crab. Although, she has eaten this within that same time frame without incident. The last reason for denial is true, she did have microfracture surgery to her right knee. In 2008, she injured her knee vaulting at a gymnastics meet. A 1cm piece of her Chondial was "hanging" down in her knee joint. The first surgeon attempted to keep it attached with a screw that disintegrates after time. This didn't work as she still had pain. In 2010,
we took her to Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. He is one of the best in the country. He does many pro sports players, including Michael Jordan's knee, so I figured he was good enough for my daughter's knee. She had the procedure, where the piece was taken out. Her knee is as strong as ever. She has competed a very high level of gymnastics for the last few years, making it to the Northeast Regionals each year. She practices on this knee 4 hours a day, 6 days a week in addition to competing.

My question: What can we do now? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Sorry to hear about the DQ. All is not lost yet. DS was DQ'd for food allergies. We took him to a retired Army Dr. that was board certified in allergy and immunology. I think finding a retired military Dr. is the key as they know what the regulations are, and how to draft a letter that helps the waiver authority make an informed decision. Google retired military allergists in your area, if none in your area expand the search to towns that are close to military bases. You may need to contact the local or state medical board for help in pointing you in the right direction. Start gathering all of your records to bring to the appt. If you would like I can PM you the contact info of the Dr. we used in Colorado Springs, his office is about 5 miles from the AFA. As far as the knee goes I would give you the same advice. Best of luck. :thumb:
 
I defer to sheriff3 on this. But I wanted to make the additional suggestion of trying to determine which conditions you are still dealing with. Is it all 3 or just the allergy or what? Might be worthwhile trying to determine that through DoDMERB or the AFA as well and in parallel with proceeding as if it were all three (unless of course you know otherwise).
 
There is an outside consultant you can use. Just google Dodmerb consultant. He charges for his service but has great advice. We used him to navigate some issues that wound up not being a problem in the end. However, it was money well spent just to know we had some support if we needed it. I think his name was Glenn.
 
Thank you for the advice. We will be looking into each and hopefully,
we can get through this. She is just devastated at this point.
 
My DD was also denied a waiver for tree nut allergies. Just curious if you did anything...did you make an appeal and how?
 
Hi, I was DQed for having asthma after the age of 13. This is not the case for me, for I mistakenly put incorrect information on my initial DoDMERB form. I initially was asked to submit a remedial, I did, and then was DQed. Soon later, my waiver request was denied. The reason for this is because my pulmonary function test (PFT) was "so bad" that there was no way they could waive the DQ. I know for a fact that I do not currently have asthma, so I am going to try to rebut the DQ. When I emailed DoDMERB about what additional tests I could do, they said nothing will change their decision. Do you think this is true? Or are they just trying to close the file so they don't have to deal with extra paperwork?

I plan on taking another PFT along with the methacholine challenge test and then sending it to DoDMERB along with a doctor's note saying I do not have asthma. Do you think it is worth the effort?
 
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Hi, I was DQed for having asthma after the age of 13. This is not the case for me, for I mistakenly put incorrect information on my initial DoDMERB form. I initially was asked to submit a remedial, I did, and then was DQed. Soon later, my waiver request was denied. The reason for this is because my pulmonary function test (PFT) was "so bad" that there was no way they could waive the DQ. I know for a fact that I do not currently have asthma, so I am going to try to rebut the DQ. When I emailed DoDMERB about what additional tests I could do, they said nothing will change their decision. Do you think this is true? Or are they just trying to close the file so they don't have to deal with extra paperwork?

I plan on taking another PFT along with the methacholine challenge test and then sending it to DoDMERB along with a doctor's note saying I do not have asthma. Do you think it is worth the effort?

DODMERB will not change their decision as your PFT score did not meet the standard. However, you maybe able to get a waiver if your other test results are favorable.
 
Hi,
My daughter was disqualified for the Air Force Academy due to 3 reasons.
1) History of systemic allergic reaction to shellfish/sesame.
2) History of asthma requiring medication within the last year.
3) History of osteochondral defect managed with microfracture surgery and foreign body removal.

We just received the letter from the Air Force Academy denying a medical waiver.

In 2003, my the 8yr old daughter had an allergic reaction to whatever she was eating while we were on a cruise. When we got home, she went to her
pediatrician for testing. We were told that she had asthma and was mildly allergic to many things, but was severely allergic to sesame oil. We had no idea of the asthma, but it made sense that she was allergic to sesame oil as the shrimp she was eating at the time may have been cooked with it. She was prescribed Advair to be taken daily and Albuterol (puffer) for emergency.
She went to this doctor for almost 10 years before hearing that this doctor had misdiagnosed other patients with asthma. Around the same time, my daughter, who is a competitive gymnast, was being recruited by the Air Force Academy. With the asthma issue looming, we took her to a pulmonologist, who tested her (Spirometry) at the initial visit. The results were 10pbbs, well below the 25pbbs used as the level for asthma. She was taken off all medications and rescheduled for 4 weeks later. She was retested at the next visit and without the medications, her level was even lower...8pbbs. Furthermore, she was not allergic to sesame as we were under the impression of, for the last 10yrs. She is allergic to Lobster and crab. Although, she has eaten this within that same time frame without incident. The last reason for denial is true, she did have microfracture surgery to her right knee. In 2008, she injured her knee vaulting at a gymnastics meet. A 1cm piece of her Chondial was "hanging" down in her knee joint. The first surgeon attempted to keep it attached with a screw that disintegrates after time. This didn't work as she still had pain. In 2010,
we took her to Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. He is one of the best in the country. He does many pro sports players, including Michael Jordan's knee, so I figured he was good enough for my daughter's knee. She had the procedure, where the piece was taken out. Her knee is as strong as ever. She has competed a very high level of gymnastics for the last few years, making it to the Northeast Regionals each year. She practices on this knee 4 hours a day, 6 days a week in addition to competing.

My question: What can we do now? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

It is possible for your daughter to get a waiver through ROTC, as Service Academies do not give many waivers, especially since it looks like your daughter will need 3.

1. Food allergy: She will need an IgE Rast and possible a challenge to determine the degree of her allergy. A waiver is possible depending on the severity.
2. Asthma: these are the requirements for a waiver:
- Looking for athlete, no limitations, no steroids, rare inhaler and normal pulmonary tests
- Obtain spirometry, before and after bronchodilator (aerosol)
Exercise induced Asthma:
- Obtain a complete exercise spirometry study
- Obtain Complex Pulmonary Stress Testing (CPET)
- Ensure the pre/post bronchodilator is accomplished after the complex pulmonary stress testing
- Methacholine challenge test
- If FEV1 or FVC change by 12% or more non waiverable
3. I am not sure about this DQ.
 
I'm having serious problems with my recruiters it's like they won't give me a straight answer or tell me the truth on the current process I need to do. I was disqualified at meps for "suspicion of self harm" for two scarc I have on my wrist from football, and falling on a hike with the boyscouts. Two very good and productive things I never thought anything of them I have many more on my hands arm legs and eyebrow from rugby as well. I was shocked an so was my recruiter I got PDQ'd. So we started te waiver process and weeks and weeks go by and he texts me "your waiver was DQ'd I'm sorry call me when you can" I was shocked I never hurt myself or anyone I'm an Eagle Scout, varsity captain, and active member of my community. Now no one at the recruiting office will return my calls they just say they'll get back to me when they figure out the next steps from my old recruiter who cut me off half way through this long and wierd way of getting past a waiver DQ but I'm stuck sitting on my hands trying to figure out if it's even possible. I would do anything go to a doctors, mental health facility, even stand infront of the board that reviews waivers and present my case to them. This is my dream and I feel like I'm being robbed of it from some childhood accidents that don't affect anything in my life, health, of mental state. I just want to know what I can do or if there's even a 10% chance I can still get into the branch I want after being PDQ'd from MEP's an then having a waiver DQ'd
 
I'm having serious problems with my recruiters it's like they won't give me a straight answer or tell me the truth on the current process I need to do. I was disqualified at meps for "suspicion of self harm" for two scarc I have on my wrist from football, and falling on a hike with the boyscouts. Two very good and productive things I never thought anything of them I have many more on my hands arm legs and eyebrow from rugby as well. I was shocked an so was my recruiter I got PDQ'd. So we started te waiver process and weeks and weeks go by and he texts me "your waiver was DQ'd I'm sorry call me when you can" I was shocked I never hurt myself or anyone I'm an Eagle Scout, varsity captain, and active member of my community. Now no one at the recruiting office will return my calls they just say they'll get back to me when they figure out the next steps from my old recruiter who cut me off half way through this long and wierd way of getting past a waiver DQ but I'm stuck sitting on my hands trying to figure out if it's even possible. I would do anything go to a doctors, mental health facility, even stand infront of the board that reviews waivers and present my case to them. This is my dream and I feel like I'm being robbed of it from some childhood accidents that don't affect anything in my life, health, of mental state. I just want to know what I can do or if there's even a 10% chance I can still get into the branch I want after being PDQ'd from MEP's an then having a waiver DQ'd
Zivey - Are you trying to enlist or participate in an Officer producing program (ROTC or Academy}?

Take this with a 'grain of salt'. It may make no difference at all - but if my son was in this situation here is what I would do....

Gather documentation from these injuries. Go find documentation from your football coaches or athletic trainer documenting the wrist injuries that caused scars, from the Asst/Scoutmaster for the fall and resulting injuries, and from your rugby coach for the hand, arm, and eyebrow scars. Get the leadership to identify dates, times, places, and a description of the cause and results. If you have medical documentation from any doctor or emergency room for any of these scars, gather that too. Make sure you have the person documenting utilize letterhead from their organization, sign and date their statements, and include current contact information (phone number, email, and physical address) for validation.

Compile the documents with a timeline and summary. Identify the corresponding date and opponent/scout outing which the injury occurred. The physicians that review these injuries have a good idea how scars heal and self inflicted scars do have specific 'attributes' and locations on your body. Go see a different recruiter at their office.

If you are pursuing a commissioning program you would likely have your physical through DoDMERB, not MEPS, and will have the documents ready if asked for them or required to provide documentation for a remedial, DQ, or waiver.

Even if denied entry to the military don't let this define you. Go learn a skilled trade or go to college if that's your thing.
 
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