Waiver Denied

af99

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Mar 1, 2016
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Looking for advice from experienced members-

DS received two DQs from DoDMERB, one for eczema after 12 and other one for use of inhaler after 13. AFROTC just denied medical waiver. After I called HQ they said that denial is for eczema and that they didn't even consider the other DQ.
The issue was a rash on his face when he was 13. His pediatrician gave me a letter commenting on the issue and his present condition that have'nt send to DoDMERB yet. Doctor is willing to modify the language if I want. I dont have any experience in this area and I'm wondering if anyone would please comment and suggest any language change, additional info in the letter. Here is what the doctor wrote-

"<person_name> has been a member of our practice for many years. In 2013 he had an episode of a rash that was diagnosed as eczema of his cheeks. The condition was an acute episode and was rapidly cured with over-the-counter cremes. <person_name> has not had any further episodes and does not have chronic eczema. He does not have any medical issues.
If you have any further questions, please call me"

For the record, I had only provided the medical history of that particular episode of rash and wheezing (two separate record). I have his medical records for last 12 years and none of his annual visits mentioned anything about any skin condition or wheezing. Shall I send the doctor's letter along with all annual visit records? What else can I do?

Any help is highly appreciated.
 
I'm wondering why that letter wasn't sent in as part of the remedial requested? Seems like you may have been able to get a waiver - now that it has been denied, I believe you're in a much more difficult position - trying to overturn a denied waiver. And I'm not sure how you even start that process. I would call DoDMERB, tell them you have further documentation that wasn't available for remedial and ask them how you go about the process of trying to overturn the denied waiver.
Is DD applying to Army ROTC, also? It seems that Army is sometimes more lenient in the waiver process, at least for certain medical conditions.
Best wishes to you!
 
We only provided what they were asking... I have read multiple times here that only send what has been asked by DoDMERB so we tried to follow that....we are kind of lost at this moment... is it even possible to overturn waiver denial? DS is only applying to Air Force
 
I think it is possible; you can call DoDMERB and let them know you have additional documentation that was not provided in time for waiver consideration and I think they can probably direct you as to what to do next.
 
Send the letter explaining the rash. I once had a cadet DQed for a latex allergy. I had him get an allergy test to help with waiver submission. Turned out he didn't have it and just marked it because his mom told him he had it. After we sent the allergy test results proving he had no allergy, they changed his to DQ to DODMERB qualified. Not saying it will work for you, but should at least try. Eczema is usually an easier waiver to get if it is not chronic and widespread.
 
Since this thread is called "Waiver Denied" I am going to use it post our experience. I'm hoping someone can enlighten us and tell us denied waivers have been overturned. DS was dnq'd for 2 issues. One issue was waived, the other, regarding vision, disqualified. The contracted optometrist turned in information that stated "distant visual acuity not correctable to 20/20". I thought this was weird as DS doesn't have bad eyes, in fact, his prescription and mine are the same. We wear contacts for distance with a power of -1.25 max. I took him to another optometrist for more information and to refill contact prescription and asked about visual acuity not correctable to 20/20 and the optometrist looked at me funny and said DS's vision is correctable to 20/15! I sent information in to DoDMERB only to learn the documents were never received! DS was pending waiver submission review.

DS learned yesterday that his waiver was denied - no request for further information, nothing... DS called the waiver authority at academy and was told it was due to corrected visual acuity past limits acceptable to the academy. I took him for a 2nd opinion this afternoon and a totally different optometrist finds his correctable visual acuity is 20/15. So now we have two optometrist reports stating visual acuity is correctable to 20/20, if not better. Both reports have been sent in to DoDMERB and the academy waiver authority. DS is an applicant to 3 academies, two are still pending waiver authority, but of course #1 choice is the denial. My biggest frustration is the information sent in from the contracted optometrist is wrong! I firmly believe he mixed up DS's unaided visual acuity and corrected visual acuity. Our first optometrist stated unaided vision is 20/25 and 20/30, the same visual acuity contracted optometrist said vision was corrected to. See my frustration? We are at a loss as to what we do next. We've talked to waiver authority, DoDMERB contact, and we contacted DS's admissions representative. I guess we just wait...
 
Why not take him back to contracted dr with the results from the other drs in hand and kindly ask if there could possibly have been a mixup in the reporting. Mistakes do happen. I am a teacher and I enter results electronically for students' grades. I inform my students that it is their responsibility to check the numbers against the grades they know they received on paper and be sure they are accurate. I do make mistakes and am happy to admit it and make the correction.
Good luck.
 
Why not take him back to contracted dr with the results from the other drs in hand and kindly ask if there could possibly have been a mixup in the reporting.

We were thinking the same thing! Actually going to be in the area tomorrow so we thought we'd stop by. Can't hurt!
 
Since this thread is called "Waiver Denied" I am going to use it post our experience. I'm hoping someone can enlighten us and tell us denied waivers have been overturned.
We were successful overturning a denial. It can be done by sending in the right information to the waiver authority through communication with DODMERB.
 
Try to find a retired military Dr. that is now still practicing. We did this for a good allergy and the DQ was waived.
 
Some service academies/programs have an appeals process that the applicant can request if a waiver is denied. You would have to check with the branches that you applied to. You can supply additional info to DoDMERB for the purpose of it being included in the individual medical file, but they have NOTHING to do with the waiver process.....each academy has its own process. submitting additional info to DoDMERB would be helpful to the waiver authority at the specific academies if there is an appeal process.
 
DS was just awarded his scholarship for NROTC with Marine Corps option after his waiver was denied so it can be done. We hired a consultant and also had testing that was required completed by our own Doctors ( a costly process but well worth it). The Doctors information coupled with a strong endorsement from the CO of his unit did the trick.
 
If you don’t mind, how much was “expensive”? I’ve heard the same thing but don’t have a gauge.
 
DS was just awarded his scholarship for NROTC with Marine Corps option after his waiver was denied so it can be done. We hired a consultant and also had testing that was required completed by our own Doctors ( a costly process but well worth it). The Doctors information coupled with a strong endorsement from the CO of his unit did the trick.

I'm curious about what consultant you used as well as how much it cost. My DS waiver was denied from Army Cadet Command for concussions received in 8th grade sports. His 3 year scholarship is now going to be lost. ...so your saying there is a way to appeal this?
 
DS was just awarded his scholarship for NROTC with Marine Corps option after his waiver was denied so it can be done. We hired a consultant and also had testing that was required completed by our own Doctors ( a costly process but well worth it). The Doctors information coupled with a strong endorsement from the CO of his unit did the trick.

I'm curious about what consultant you used as well as how much it cost. My DS waiver was denied from Army Cadet Command for concussions received in 8th grade sports. His 3 year scholarship is now going to be lost. ...so your saying there is a way to appeal this?

You can get a waiver for concussion. We got a waiver for one of our cadets who sustained two concussions in HS. Make sure DODMERB has a recent evaluation stating there are no lingering effects from the concussion.
 
My apologies for being absent from this thread for quite some time as I had some issues on my computer and had to get a new one issued. Denied Waivers can be appealed. We used Dr. Merchant as a consultant, however, your DS's unit should be able to walk you through the process if he is participating in the unit. A formal letter of appeal needs to be sent to DodMERB along with all documentation. Included in our packet was Doctors letters, a detailed listing by his Commanding Officer of all that my Son had been doing including PFT and CFT scores, as well as a strong Endorsement from CO of the entire NROTC Unit. Those things combined allowed us to successfully Appeal the Denied Waiver and my DS is not under Contract. You can find Dr. Merchants info under DodMERB Consultants. Good Luck.
 
I have got denied twice , and I was thinking about trying to find a military doctor to help me out a little any syuggestions or idea on how to help me ?
 
I have got denied twice , and I was thinking about trying to find a military doctor to help me out a little any syuggestions or idea on how to help me ?
Google retired military Dr in your area. Also contact the state medical association. You may have more specialties to choose from if you are near a large military base. Search some of my earlier posts for more detailed info. Good luck
 
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