Waiver for 'mood disorder'

Ughhh...so, our student was accepted to the Academy, has a nomination, etc. but learned that she has been medically disqualified due to a 'mood disorder.' History is that she did discuss concerns with her mood (i.e. some anxiety with school, social situations) with her pediatricians (twice) in the past 18-24 months. About a year ago, she did a brief trial on medication (low dose of Zoloft--or other similar med) for a few months and decided that she wanted to go off the medication because she didn't find it to be very helpful.

In my eyes, she basically has come to the realization (through maturity and continued 'soul searching') that she is just a more 'emotional' type person (typically out of taking things to heart, taking things seriously, living with passion, etc.). She is in no way unstable from a mental health perspective, and her pediatrician would attest that she has NO concerns with her ability to be successful at the Academy or in the military.

Our understanding is that there will be an automatic review of her medical disqualification. What can you share about this process? How long will she have to wait for a final answer as to whether or not she will be cleared to attend the Academy (which continues to be her top choice school)? Is there anything we can do (or should not do!) to aid in the process?

Academy Hopeful 2023 said:

Ughhh...so, our student was accepted to the Academy, has a nomination, etc. but learned that she has been medically disqualified due to a 'mood disorder.' History is that she did discuss concerns with her mood (i.e. some anxiety with school, social situations) with her pediatricians (twice) in the past 18-24 months. About a year ago, she did a brief trial on medication (low dose of Zoloft--or other similar med) for a few months and decided that she wanted to go off the medication because she didn't find it to be very helpful.

In my eyes, she basically has come to the realization (through maturity and continued 'soul searching') that she is just a more 'emotional' type person (typically out of taking things to heart, taking things seriously, living with passion, etc.). She is in no way unstable from a mental health perspective, and her pediatrician would attest that she has NO concerns with her ability to be successful at the Academy or in the military.

Our understanding is that there will be an automatic review of her medical disqualification. What can you share about this process? How long will she have to wait for a final answer as to whether or not she will be cleared to attend the Academy (which continues to be her top choice school)? Is there anything we can do (or should not do!) to aid in the process?

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Was she DQ'd for "history of mood disorder" or something like "current or ongoing" mood disorder. Did she stop the meds with her doctors blessing or on her own because she didnt think they helped? This is tough to post about sensitive stuff in a public forum but I believe the answers to those questions will play into your outcome. Once you have more posts you could try and PM me? The truth is nobody knows for sure what the outcome will be, but I may have some helpful advice.

Trying to work through a 'mood disorder' DQ for ROTC and wondering if you have any advice in terms of how to walk through this process?

Worried about something similar here... and for us it was when DD was thirteen... she talks to her counselor just to check in ... it’s a positive!!

First, I don't see how your DD can be "accepted" (e.g., appointed) if she is not medically qualified as medical qualification is a requirement for an appointment to a SA. She can receive an LOA subject only to medical clearance, meaning she gets a letter from the SA saying she will be appointed assuming her medical issue is waived.

"Mood disorder" is an individualized determination, which makes it hard for anyone here to provide super helpful advice. As a general rule, having been on meds in the past two years presents more of a challenge, especially if your DD dc'd the meds on her own (vs. the MD deciding they was no longer necessary). That said, I repeat that it is VERY MUCH an individualized determination, so what as happened to others may be instructive, but not necessarily relevant or determinative to your DD's situation. You may want to reach out to the medical contact at the relevant SA (since it is the SA that must grant the waiver) to see what additional information might be helpful to them in making the decision.

In terms of timing, medical issues aren't subject to the April 15 deadline. SAs theoretically have until I-Day (for USNA or other SA equivalent) to make a decision. However, late timing typically happens for folks who are waiting for a medical issue to resolve (i.e., be 6 months post surgery and that 6 month period ends in May/June). Your DD's situation isn't going to change in the next few months. Thus, I would expect the decision will come sometime between now and early May, but that's only a guess based on my experience with USNA; other SAs may handle things differently.

Usna77 said:

Academy Hopeful 2023 said:

Ughhh...so, our student was accepted to the Academy, has a nomination, etc. but learned that she has been medically disqualified due to a 'mood disorder.' History is that she did discuss concerns with her mood (i.e. some anxiety with school, social situations) with her pediatricians (twice) in the past 18-24 months. About a year ago, she did a brief trial on medication (low dose of Zoloft--or other similar med) for a few months and decided that she wanted to go off the medication because she didn't find it to be very helpful.

In my eyes, she basically has come to the realization (through maturity and continued 'soul searching') that she is just a more 'emotional' type person (typically out of taking things to heart, taking things seriously, living with passion, etc.). She is in no way unstable from a mental health perspective, and her pediatrician would attest that she has NO concerns with her ability to be successful at the Academy or in the military.

Our understanding is that there will be an automatic review of her medical disqualification. What can you share about this process? How long will she have to wait for a final answer as to whether or not she will be cleared to attend the Academy (which continues to be her top choice school)? Is there anything we can do (or should not do!) to aid in the process?

Click to expand...

Was she DQ'd for "history of mood disorder" or something like "current or ongoing" mood disorder. Did she stop the meds with her doctors blessing or on her own because she didnt think they helped? This is tough to post about sensitive stuff in a public forum but I believe the answers to those questions will play into your outcome. Once you have more posts you could try and PM me? The truth is nobody knows for sure what the outcome will be, but I may have some helpful advice.

Click to expand...

Has she heard any news?