Pretty straight forward, I got a TWE tonight that said, "after extensive evaluation from medical professionals, your medical disqualification is final..." I know the door is basically closed, but I am going to try to fight this with every bit strength I got. Information on past waiver appeals and how they work have been pretty confusing to read, but how should I contact my RC displaying my drive to receive an appointment? Is it possible to even contact the waiver authorities/surgeon general? I am really shocked and confused.
USMA Waiver Denial (how to best appeal the decision)
- Thread starter TJK99
- Start date
Impulsive
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2019
- Messages
- 1,024
You don't really give enough info to allow for someone here with the right knowledge to advise you. IMHO, at this point move forward with whatever your "Plan B' is, then work on contacting admissions and asking about "appeals" after you are set with Plan B. FYI, appealing a medical waiver is not easy, and although I do not know if you even can appeal, if you can I would imagine it would be both medical and legal and require your retaining an attorney well versed in military law as well as a medical specialist in whatever your DQ is related to. Good Luck with it..
GoCubbies
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2018
- Messages
- 1,020
You mind mentioned what is your DQ?
Some medical conditions are absolutely NOT compatible with military service.
Myopia - refractive error greater than -8.00 (spherical equivalent)
History of head injury with associated post injury manifestations (concussion from contact sports 3 years ago. No loss of consciousness. Cleared within 1.5 months of the injury and with yearly follow ups. Folder full of supporting documentation saying that I am cleared and nothing is wrong with me).
History of adjustment disorder (When I first filled out DoDMERB many years ago my parents were going through a divorce and I was understandably under a lot of stress. Was recommended to see a psychologist/counselor. He falsely diagnosed me with adjustment disorder. I filled it out on DoDMERB to be as truthful as possible, however, later found out that the practitioner was a legitimate quack and was making bad diagnoses on other patients. I have seen many psychiatrists and doctors who have determined I did not have an adjustment disorder and that I never received treatment, never recommended to take medication, or have taken medication for this nonexistent ailment. Have sent folders full of documentation to DoDMERB supporting their claim. I have tried for more than year to have this taken off, however, DoDMERB said once it's in their system, it's there forever).
GoCubbies
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2018
- Messages
- 1,020
Which SA or ROTC denied your waiver?
Did you send additional info to DODMERB?
In general, refractive error between -8.00 and -10.00 are considered for waivers IF the rest of the eye exam is normal.
Two big things with head injury: 1) risk of seizures which are increased 2 years after the event and 2) cognitive impairment. If you continue to get good grades, score high on ACT/SAT, earn academic awards, etc then that helps to explain away any questions about cognitive impairment. If you haven't had any seizures by now, then your risk for getting a seizure in the future is just the same as mine (ie back to population baseline). What might have DQ'ed you permanently is the post-injury manifestations that lasted a few weeks.
Adjustment disorder is a reasonable diagnosis after a life-changing and traumatic event like parental divorce. It's reasonable to see it with other events like loss of job, loss of a close relative, paying for your kid to get into USC and getting caught, or even retiring. Usually, if you've gotten this once and the course was unremarkable, it's not an issue for entrance into the military.
Is it possible the SAs (or ROTCs) did not want to chase a waiver?
Did you send additional info to DODMERB?
In general, refractive error between -8.00 and -10.00 are considered for waivers IF the rest of the eye exam is normal.
Two big things with head injury: 1) risk of seizures which are increased 2 years after the event and 2) cognitive impairment. If you continue to get good grades, score high on ACT/SAT, earn academic awards, etc then that helps to explain away any questions about cognitive impairment. If you haven't had any seizures by now, then your risk for getting a seizure in the future is just the same as mine (ie back to population baseline). What might have DQ'ed you permanently is the post-injury manifestations that lasted a few weeks.
Adjustment disorder is a reasonable diagnosis after a life-changing and traumatic event like parental divorce. It's reasonable to see it with other events like loss of job, loss of a close relative, paying for your kid to get into USC and getting caught, or even retiring. Usually, if you've gotten this once and the course was unremarkable, it's not an issue for entrance into the military.
Is it possible the SAs (or ROTCs) did not want to chase a waiver?
I met with a retinal specialist and a general opthamologist today. No retinal pathology. Did the whole 9 yards with scleral depression, axial length test, and corneal topography. Everything is good.
As for the concussion, I have not had a seizure in the past 3 years after the injury. I have had many tests to ensure that I do not have any cognitive or neurological impairment. I'm all good. I was cleared after two months since it is hospital policy to wait that long.
Adjustment disorder is indeed a reasonable diagnosis, however, I was only displaying one of the criteria listed in DSM 5 which is not enough to reach a diagnosis. This led to psychiatrists and doctors saying that I did not have adjustment disorder.
Great thing is that I was waived for ROTC, and talking to my RC it looks like my eyes were the main problem. He did submit a waiver on behalf. Do you have any tips for my opthamologist to better craft a letter for the surgeon general?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2017
- Messages
- 9,319
I wonder if they didn’t pursue waivers BC there are more than one? I haven’t read about more than one DQ issue actually.
GoCubbies
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2018
- Messages
- 1,020
Did your RC tell you there’s a chance to get the waiver denial reversed?
There is a chance. He said it's small, however, it says a lot about me willing to go through a process that may not yield positive results which might be something. Do you know how the waiver process works? I have heard conflicting info about it may or may not go up the superintendent. My RC hasn't gotten back to me yet about that.
That’s classic stuff Cubbies... paying for your kid to get into USC and getting caught.
JCHRNCSHNG
New Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2019
- Messages
- 7
SO youre saying your waiver was approved for Adjustment disorder for ROTC? I have a waiver pending for the same thing right now. Realluy want it to get approved for ROTC.
Royals8515
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2020
- Messages
- 9
My daughter was measured at over -8 and was granted a medical waiver for Air Force ROTC (June 2020). The key was the eye exam itself. The concern is the possibility of a detached retina. Here is an example of the comments we received from two different eye doctors.
Summary of DOD-contracted Dilated Fundoscopic Exam with Dr. X (26 May 20)
- OD and OS Vitreous: Clear without hemorrhage, cells, or pigment.
- OD and OS Vessels: Normal contour, caliber without neovascularization.
- OD and OS Macula: Normal contour without heme, edema, drusen, or exudate.
- OD and OS Periphery: Normal appearance without retinal tears, breaks, holes, or mass.
Summary of Dilated Fundoscopic Exam with Family Eye Doctor, Dr. Y (14 May 20)
- Optic nerves, maculae, and retinal vasculature all revealed optimal ocular health.
- Retinal peripheral exam revealed no ocular pathology.
- There are no hemes, exudate, scars, opacities, or retinal degeneration.
- Of specific interest in this case, no thinning or lattice degeneration of the retina 360 (OD or OS).
Although we had great results from both exams, it important to note that the needs of each Service shift from year-to-year.
Best wishes during the process. It is long and difficult but most definitely worth the effort.
Summary of DOD-contracted Dilated Fundoscopic Exam with Dr. X (26 May 20)
- OD and OS Vitreous: Clear without hemorrhage, cells, or pigment.
- OD and OS Vessels: Normal contour, caliber without neovascularization.
- OD and OS Macula: Normal contour without heme, edema, drusen, or exudate.
- OD and OS Periphery: Normal appearance without retinal tears, breaks, holes, or mass.
Summary of Dilated Fundoscopic Exam with Family Eye Doctor, Dr. Y (14 May 20)
- Optic nerves, maculae, and retinal vasculature all revealed optimal ocular health.
- Retinal peripheral exam revealed no ocular pathology.
- There are no hemes, exudate, scars, opacities, or retinal degeneration.
- Of specific interest in this case, no thinning or lattice degeneration of the retina 360 (OD or OS).
Although we had great results from both exams, it important to note that the needs of each Service shift from year-to-year.
Best wishes during the process. It is long and difficult but most definitely worth the effort.