Milk Allergy

TomB

Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2018
Messages
140
I have a question regarding milk allergies and it's relatively simple... is it waiverable? I can have foods like chocolate chip cookies and eggs with milk, even buttermilk, butter, and other things oddly enough, but I can't drink or eat a heavy amount of dairy. I'm NOT lactose intolerant, I am indeed allergic. I was wondering if there has been anybody with previous experience in this. (as a side note, I sent a letter to DoDMERB about my dairy allergy that says that I can have the kinds of things mentioned above. I do not have an EpiPen as I know what I can and cannot eat). This is seriously the only thing that is stressing me out about the academy and military in general. I also have a past history of asthma but had a doctors note stating that it was not a major issue.
I will share what is said about my file:
"Past records were loaded and was able to review the previous answers for asthma and food allergies. Applicant previously stated they carry a rescue inhaler and use it as needed and has throat swelling due to dairy allergy and this contradicts new statements. Will let WA make their decision."

Thank you.

Very Respectfully,
TomB
 
Short answers: Asthma, DoD Instruction 6103.03 Section 5.10, Para 2, any use of inhaled medicines after 13th birthday is Disqualifying. Allergies, Section 5.23 check the list, but if you have a allergic reaction that causes ANY skin or organ symptoms is Disqualifying.

This is why you file was sent to the WA (waiver) Authority. Do you know if your SA or ROTC has asked for a waiver (it will show on your portal) or does it just say Disqualified?
 
Short answers: Asthma, DoD Instruction 6103.03 Section 5.10, Para 2, any use of inhaled medicines after 13th birthday is Disqualifying. Allergies, Section 5.23 check the list, but if you have a allergic reaction that causes ANY skin or organ symptoms is Disqualifying.

This is why you file was sent to the WA (waiver) Authority. Do you know if your SA or ROTC has asked for a waiver (it will show on your portal) or does it just say Disqualified?
I am disqualified and need a waiver, my status is "Pending Waiver Submission/Review" currently. I contacted the medical office at USNA and they told me that a waiver will automatically be considered if offered an appointment which is what I am currently waiting on. I was also told by another admission counselor that the only allergy they do not accept is a peanut allergy, but I still do not know.
 
Remember....a Waiver Authority can and sometimes does waive ANYTHING. The only reason you weren't outright medical qualified is because you had issues needing to be waived, and if your DoDMERB portal says "Pending Waiver Submission/Review" then they want you. And if you are highly competitive and they want you, they will waive your issues, especially if it has been over a year since last occurrence. The ONLY issue with waivers is sometimes they take forever! You may have make a tough decision to hope for that waiver, or accept a known quality of a civilian college or ROTC if the college requires you to accept their offer before your waiver is granted. Then you gamble on not getting the waiver and not getting your top college choice.

I have twins, one 3Q'd and one waiting for a waiver. The one waiting for his waiver may have to make that choice since he has a 4yr ROTC scholarship and full ride at a really good University that he likes. He may not want to gamble on getting the waiver late, and losing his ROTC or full scholarship because he doesn't commit. Have to give it till mid April and see.....
 
Remember....a Waiver Authority can and sometimes does waive ANYTHING. The only reason you weren't outright medical qualified is because you had issues needing to be waived, and if your DoDMERB portal says "Pending Waiver Submission/Review" then they want you. And if you are highly competitive and they want you, they will waive your issues, especially if it has been over a year since last occurrence. The ONLY issue with waivers is sometimes they take forever! You may have make a tough decision to hope for that waiver, or accept a known quality of a civilian college or ROTC if the college requires you to accept their offer before your waiver is granted. Then you gamble on not getting the waiver and not getting your top college choice.

I have twins, one 3Q'd and one waiting for a waiver. The one waiting for his waiver may have to make that choice since he has a 4yr ROTC scholarship and full ride at a really good University that he likes. He may not want to gamble on getting the waiver late, and losing his ROTC or full scholarship because he doesn't commit. Have to give it till mid April and see.....
I'm actually a college re-applicant, my college plans are secured... but I want USNA and nothing will change that even if I have to try a third time or my conditions can't be waived. I just never heard of anyone with a dairy allergy on these forums and was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. I attended Candidate Visitor Weekend for USNA my senior year and did not have a problem with any of the food so I would think I would be fine. I have a 4.0 college GPA with a bunch of other things too, the waiting game is terrible. :rolleyes: Regarding both your twins, first of all congratulations! That's awesome that both of them are considering a military career! For your twin needing a waiver, May 1st is usually the deadline for colleges... I would wait if I were him and plus it would be pretty darn cool having a brother to attend the academy with. Plus a full ROTC ride isn't bad either! I'm sure it will all come around for them.
 
Thanks, and like I said earlier, the ONLY mention in the 6103.03 instruction are if the allergy causes breathing, swelling, or skin damage and even they can be waived. I am guessing you do not Celiac Disease? I think that would be the only issue you have a problem with, but my one son has a allergy to pollen (it is relatively mild and he takes no meds), but they never even questioned that. My guess is the asthma issue with the inhaler is triggering the waiver requirement, and I would think that as long as you no longer use it you will get the waiver.
 
Thanks, and like I said earlier, the ONLY mention in the 6103.03 instruction are if the allergy causes breathing, swelling, or skin damage and even they can be waived. I am guessing you do not Celiac Disease? I think that would be the only issue you have a problem with, but my one son has a allergy to pollen (it is relatively mild and he takes no meds), but they never even questioned that. My guess is the asthma issue with the inhaler is triggering the waiver requirement, and I would think that as long as you no longer use it you will get the waiver.
I do not have Celiac Disease nor do I use my inhaler anymore. not even past age 13. I just have to wait just a little longer I guess. My family, especially my father, are very worried about whether they’ll be able to waive me on the milk allergy. I think I’ll be fine but you never know, I hope to find out soon.
 
My one son who is 3Q and waiting for the CGA to let him know had an allergy to pollen (pretty common but sometimes they can be bad). He went through a year of immunization shots that ended last summer. Has no issues now, but the funny thing is DoDMERB never questioned his allergy. So unless it is "debilitating" you should be good! What do your denial codes say? Are they looking at both or just the asthma? If it is just the asthma and you have been clear for more than 24 months (since age 13) I don't know why they even DQ'd you?
 
My disqualifications are as follows:
D271.40 - History of systemic allergic reaction to food or additives
D241.30 - Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm after age 13
This is all under one disqualification waiver being needed. I have a doctor's note for my asthma, so I'm not too worried about it. It's just the whole milk allergy thing because I can't have huge amounts along with soybean. I'll be honest, I do not even know why they DQ'd me for my asthma, I ran a 6:18 on my CFA and an 8.7 shuttle and pretty much maxed out everything else. Being a boxer, my past history of asthma is far gone.
 
Unfortunately Tom, DoDMERB technicians have no latitude, if it even appears to mimic a DQ, then they have to DQ. All that means is that there are some medical issues that the individual Academy's want to make the decision on. Look at it this way, West Point would look at musculoskeletal at lot more than USNA. How far with weight or equipment do you have to run on a Aircraft Carrier versus how far do you have to run to get to or away from the enemy? Other way, how seasick do you get in a desert versus how bad motion sickness can effect someone over ten days or more at sea?
So you can see the different SA's are looking at different issues they will waive easily and routinely. People will tell you that 95% of cadets are immediately fully qualified, My son's RC told him they "review" over 50% of candidates for waiver, so don't be concerned.
 
Unfortunately Tom, DoDMERB technicians have no latitude, if it even appears to mimic a DQ, then they have to DQ. All that means is that there are some medical issues that the individual Academy's want to make the decision on. Look at it this way, West Point would look at musculoskeletal at lot more than USNA. How far with weight or equipment do you have to run on a Aircraft Carrier versus how far do you have to run to get to or away from the enemy? Other way, how seasick do you get in a desert versus how bad motion sickness can effect someone over ten days or more at sea?
So you can see the different SA's are looking at different issues they will waive easily and routinely. People will tell you that 95% of cadets are immediately fully qualified, My son's RC told him they "review" over 50% of candidates for waiver, so don't be concerned.
I appreciate the responses! It's just is unfortunate to be in a situation like this, but my BGO said if they want you they'll get you so I'll just have to see what happens. Good luck to both your sons as well, I'm sure they'll both get in.
 
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