DoDMERB for USNA, dealing with a concussion/brain injury

J

Jonas

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14 Months ago in early December of my Sophomore year, I got into a mountain biking crash where I had either a brain injury or traumatic brain injury (up to individual doctors opinions). Initially it was a big injury, I had a brain hemorrhage (brain bleed) in a vessel in my brain, but a mild concussion. From that, I had my right side of the body initially affected, from not being able to walk properly on my right side to not talking correctly, not being able to fluidly move my arm and other things. Basically I had low fine motor fluidity on my right side. But, with how quickly I recovered I left a month early. From Jan-Nov of last year was all gritty work, not gross motor, but to get perfect fine motor movement. This is all a very brief summary but all in all, I had a traumatic brain injury, was affected, fully recovered 6 months ahead of time, cleared 1 month ahead of time, have now been playing D1 sports for a while now and able to do everything I can. With all of the issues gone, my brain and body fully healed for a long time now and stronger and better than ever, and doctors saying i am completely all good a long time ago, by the time I see DoDMERB (which will be 2 years about in Aug-Nov) do you think will see my medical record and immediately disqualify me, causing me to need to work for a waiver? Or do I have no chance at all. OR am I most likely gonna be all good.

What will I need to do to prove myself if needed, or would I be all good.

Also sorry if I made any mistakes posting this, this is my first time using this thread.
If asked, I can add anything needed.
 
Welcome to the forum. And good to hear you are recovered from such a terrible experience!

I would say that asking this question in the DoDMERB part of the forum may result in a better understanding of the potential outcomes.

Personal conjecture? I would find it difficult to think they would give you an all clear right off the bat. I would imagine they are going to want to see the full case file and maybe even ask for additional testing.

Heck, they DQ'ed my kid (again) at the last second because they read something in his pediatric file about feeling light headed (no diagnosis of anything). They made him do a full cardiac check-up and 24-hour monitor before getting the all clear and giving him another waiver. That all happened just two weeks before the typical April 15 final announcements for the Academies. And all that was on speculation something MIGHT be wrong, let alone the experience that you are describing having gone through!
 
(Almost) Every medical issue is unique. That means that what happened to one person with a particular condition in terms of medical qualification has zero bearing on what will happen to someone else.

Your situation is obviously very unique. DODMERB will want to see various medical records. They may want additional testing. Based on all that, they will make their decision. If it's a DQ, USNA will have to decide whether to waive that DQ. NO ONE on this site has a clue on your chances in the medical arena.

When / if Mr. Larry Mullen of DODMERB returns (he frequents the DODMERB forum), I suggest you communicate with him. He actually can help you in terms of accurate and official info. However, he generally works with official candidates, so might not be able to assist until you apply (not sure on this point).

Suggest you move forward and start now collecting your medical records.
 
usna1985 said:
(Almost) Every medical issue is unique. That means that what happened to one person with a particular condition in terms of medical qualification has zero bearing on what will happen to someone else.

Your situation is obviously very unique. DODMERB will want to see various medical records. They may want additional testing. Based on all that, they will make their decision. If it's a DQ, USNA will have to decide whether to waive that DQ. NO ONE on this site has a clue on your chances in the medical arena.

When / if Mr. Larry Mullen of DODMERB returns (he frequents the DODMERB forum), I suggest you communicate with him. He actually can help you in terms of accurate and official info. However, he generally works with official candidates, so might not be able to assist until you apply (not sure on this point).

Suggest you move forward and start now collecting your medical records.
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Just to make sure, I am on the DODMERB forum incase if he does return back, right?

Also something to add:
If the USNA has already given me a CVW, that means they are interested in me already, right? And if they are interested in me, IF I get a DQ, do you think the USNA would want to waiver in me since they already have interest in me? I've also spoken to some midshipmen, and they said that I should most likely be fine.
 
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Jonas said:
Just to make sure, I am on the DODMERB forum incase if he does return back, right?
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You actually have this posted on the USNA forum. I can move it to DoMERB if you’d like.

Stealth_81
 
Jonas said:
Just to make sure, I am on the DODMERB forum incase if he does return back, right?

Also something to add:
If the USNA has already given me a CVW, that means they are interested in me already, right? And if they are interested in me, IF I get a DQ, do you think the USNA would want to waiver in me since they already have interest in me? I've also spoken to some midshipmen, and they said that I should most likely be fine.
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A CVW does not mean they are ‘recruiting you’, in the sense that I think you are speaking.

There is absolutely no way to foretell if USNA would seek a waiver, or not, for you. And some things are simply not waiverable (not a comment on your situation…I have no idea).

You will also have to be found academically qualified, and secure a nomination, beyond the medical/waiver piece.

The only way to know, is to apply. You are a new member, so most likely haven’t read other posts about CVW, NASS, and other programs USNA offers. But you can use the search function and read lots of discussion about your very question (does a CVW mean they are interested in me?).

Also know, that Midshipmen cannot make informed opinions about your (or any) medical situation. As already mentioned, it’s a very person specific process. And only DODMERB can do that, and then each individual SA will decide if they can/will pursue a waiver.
 
I will give you a little hope, but as stated - all injuries are unique and needs of the services change yearly, as do waiver criteria. In my son’s sophomore summer he rode a push scooter home from lifeguarding and sustained a significant crash on pavement (no helmet - and yes he knew the rules!) My DS (now a plebe at USMA) sustained a skull fracture, epidural bleed, and concussion (requiring more than three months to resolve) a little over two years prior to appointment to USNA. He also had a significant loss of hearing in his RT ear, most of which resolved over time. He had been given extra time at school for tests and additional support during this period. All of this just as COVID was beginning.

Last year he applied to, and was offered appointments to three academies (USNA, USMA, and USMMA.) USMMA uses Naval Reserve as their source for waiver criteria. My DS was successful in obtaining waivers from all three of the services. USNA and USNR were the fastest to return waivers followed a couple months later with USMA. We provided all hospitalization records, full recovery / treatment notes, and saw two neurosurgeons to attest to his recovery and that none of the issues would impair his ability to train or carry out duties. My DS had also cancelled all academic support prior to his junior year in high school. Good luck with your pursuit of this path. It can be long periods of waiting and wondering and it can definitely wear on your DS. Thanks for his willingness to serve and glad the recovery was complete. We know the scare you and he both had!
 
Just as a general question to anyone that sees this (not an apply to a specific person), what are DoDMERBs and academies takes on concussion/traumatic brain injuries of the past? Although it is individual case, what would be an overall standard for this type of injury. If you know what I am trying to say.
 
@Jonas, check out the 'pinned/stickies' thread and look at the acronym list. You will find your answer to 'what does DS stand for' there.

And, here is the most recent link I could find for official DoDMERB medical standards. https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/.../613003_vol1.PDF?ver=7fhqacc0jGX_R9_1iexudA==

Again, as others have stated, no one on this forum, can tell you if a SA will pursue a waiver for you. If Mr. Mullen returns, he may be able to guide you in some capacity.

The best you can do now is #1, stay healthy. #2, collect all medical records and get those organized.

It sounds like an awful ordeal and I'm glad you made such a great recovery.
 
Jonas said:
Just as a general question to anyone that sees this (not an apply to a specific person), what are DoDMERBs and academies takes on concussion/traumatic brain injuries of the past? Although it is individual case, what would be an overall standard for this type of injury. If you know what I am trying to say.
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I believe a couple of my DS’s disqualifications were for the epidural bleed (with spontaneous resolution - I believe there may be another category that is used for intervention if needed) and a concussion where symptoms took longer than three months to resolve. Each condition needs to be waived. As others have stated, the DODMERB criteria are listed online and you can look them up now to see what might apply to your medical conditions. Some medical conditions are NOT waiverable under any circumstances- and as stated, each situation is different - I gave you my son’s story to at least provide a little hope that a case, possibly somewhat similar (from your original statement) resulted in a waiver for my son.
 
MarTac said:
I believe a couple of my DS’s disqualifications were for the epidural bleed (with spontaneous resolution - I believe there may be another category that is used for intervention if needed) and a concussion where symptoms took longer than three months to resolve. Each condition needs to be waived. As others have stated, the DODMERB criteria are listed online and you can look them up now to see what might apply to your medical conditions. Some medical conditions are NOT waiverable under any circumstances- and as stated, each situation is different - I gave you my son’s story to at least provide a little hope that a case, possibly somewhat similar (from your original statement) resulted in a waiver for my son.
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I had a similar bleed. It is called a Brain Hemorrhage, where I had a small rupture of a vessel, luckily it was the smallest of all kinds and I think I was resolved within 4 weeks. So if it is similar and has no affect on me I think I am good. Although every case is individual, do you know if there is a loose standard for what is NOT waiverable? I feel a gut feeling Ill be good though, as it isnt an issue for me, so it shouldnt be for them.
 
@Jonas the ONLY way you will know, is to go through the application process. Period.

What if someone tells you ‘ya I think you are good’? What does that do for you?

What if someone says ‘no I don’t think you would get a waiver?’ What does that do for you?

What are you wanting to accomplish here? Anyone could tell you anything, and it wouldn’t be correct. Or it may be correct. Who knows?? Point is, you won’t know until you apply. The same as thousand of others don’t know until they apply.

Other peoples stories may or may not have a similar outcome as yours.

Give it your BEST shot, if you want it. There aren’t guarantees.
 
Jonas said:
14 Months ago in early December of my Sophomore year, I got into a mountain biking crash where I had either a brain injury or traumatic brain injury (up to individual doctors opinions). Initially it was a big injury, I had a brain hemorrhage (brain bleed) in a vessel in my brain, but a mild concussion. From that, I had my right side of the body initially affected, from not being able to walk properly on my right side to not talking correctly, not being able to fluidly move my arm and other things. Basically I had low fine motor fluidity on my right side. But, with how quickly I recovered I left a month early. From Jan-Nov of last year was all gritty work, not gross motor, but to get perfect fine motor movement. This is all a very brief summary but all in all, I had a traumatic brain injury, was affected, fully recovered 6 months ahead of time, cleared 1 month ahead of time, have now been playing D1 sports for a while now and able to do everything I can. With all of the issues gone, my brain and body fully healed for a long time now and stronger and better than ever, and doctors saying i am completely all good a long time ago, by the time I see DoDMERB (which will be 2 years about in Aug-Nov) do you think will see my medical record and immediately disqualify me, causing me to need to work for a waiver? Or do I have no chance at all. OR am I most likely gonna be all good.

What will I need to do to prove myself if needed, or would I be all good.

Also sorry if I made any mistakes posting this, this is my first time using this thread.
If asked, I can add anything needed.
Click to expand...
My biggest piece of advice is stay patient! I got a concussion during one of my practices during my sophomore year and I got medically DQed too. I've been fully recovered for the past several years and the waiver process does take a while. I ended up getting a medical waiver for an NROTC scholarship after submitting several rounds of paperwork and medical records. Don't give up hope!
 
gonavy27 said:
My biggest piece of advice is stay patient! I got a concussion during one of my practices during my sophomore year and I got medically DQed too. I've been fully recovered for the past several years and the waiver process does take a while. I ended up getting a medical waiver for an NROTC scholarship after submitting several rounds of paperwork and medical records. Don't give up hope!
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Did you have a serious concussion or a mild one if I may ask
 
Good news I'd just like to say. I found out that it is a "complicated mild traumatic brian injury" from the doctors (I think they mean complicated as it was complicated for them). Because of it being mild to what I previously thought it being moderate or severe, this is good news. Do you guys have any takes on waivers with mild traumatic brain injuries?
 
Jonas said:
Did you have a serious concussion or a mild one if I may ask
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My DoDMERB dq said "History of moderate or severe brain history" and they just asked for medical records and doctor's notes saying that I was fully recovered.
 
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