AFROTC Medical Disqualification

lpj1998

New Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2017
Messages
1
Hello everyone,

I received a scholarship from AFROTC earlier this year, unfortunately, I was medically disqualified for current or history of atopic dermatitis or eczema after 12th birthday. I only ever had one flare up, which occurred last year around late March/early April, and I was prescribed clobetosol propionate by my dermatologist. I have tried 3 different attempts to appeal my waiver, even going so far as to seeing 3 different dermatologists but all attempts were denied.

When I first started going through these forums, I saw a thread where someone said that if I have my dermatologist comment how extremely mild my case is, I'll have a chance for the waiver. So I submitted a note from my primary dermatologist stating that I "have extremely mild atopic dermatitis, am not on any current treatments, and should not be limited in any activity." When this was denied, I went to another dermatologist for their second opinion. This dermatologist wrote a letter saying that I had a history of a rash that was treated by clobetasol ointment which cleared up in a few days. He also mentioned that now I only have hyperpigmentation and no active rash/disease. This was also denied, due to the fact that my primary dermatologist "made it very clear that I had eczema plaques" when he first saw me. I then went back to the second dermatologist and he wrote another letter basically saying that I had irritant contact dermatitis, not atopic dermatitis. When I browsed through the DoDMERB website, I saw that there was a separate DQ for irritant contact dermatitis, but only if it required treatment more than over-the-counter medication. Before I submitted that letter, I went back to my primary dermatologist and he agreed that it was irritant contact dermatitis, not atopic dermatitis. He also included in his note that I did not require more than over-the-counter medication for treatment. I submitted both of their letters at the same time, thinking that those would be enough for my appeal. When I was disqualified for the 3rd time, I went to another dermatologist who served as the Chief of Dermatology at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. He heard my case and found it crazy that I was being denied a waiver. However, he didn't want to draft a letter without knowing what to say to appeal my waiver, so he advised me to call the HQ/AETC and ask how long I had to wait to receive the waiver, since the flare-up was recent. I called the office earlier this week and I was told that with the protocols they have now, I might never receive the waiver, but I'll have a better chance after 3 years.

Sorry for the really long backstory, but my questions are: Is there anything else I can submit or do that will allow me to receive the waiver? Can somebody explain why AETC is disqualifying and denying me a waiver for atopic dermatitis, when I've had two different dermatologists say that it's irritant contact dermatitis?

Thanks everyone.
 
I am kinda in the same boat for a different condition though... This is what I've heard so take it as a grain of salt, but I keep hearing that the military was downsized during the previous administration with the war dying down a bit. I was awarded an NROTC scholarship and lost it after being denied a waiver for an orthopedic surgery two years ago. I submitted everything under the sun from Navy ortho's to my ortho ect... Still denied on 4 appeals.

I have also heard that it was ridiculous that I was being denied since my recruiting office has seen plenty of people go in with my hip arthroscopic surgery, so I'm going to keep pushing as I imagine you will as well, but I completely understand how you feel.

So all in all I'm hearing they're cracking down on medical since they are taking less officers (or need less officers at this point is a better way of putting it). Like I said though, that's the common theme I've heard so I cannot completely attest to this. I wish there was a magic doctor or test we could take that the military would see as sufficient, but to my knowledge there isn't lol.

Just keep trying and get as many people as you can to take your side with letters and evaluations ect and see where that takes you. Never could hurt.

Best of luck.
 
I am kinda in the same boat for a different condition though... This is what I've heard so take it as a grain of salt, but I keep hearing that the military was downsized during the previous administration with the war dying down a bit. I was awarded an NROTC scholarship and lost it after being denied a waiver for an orthopedic surgery two years ago. I submitted everything under the sun from Navy ortho's to my ortho ect... Still denied on 4 appeals.

I have also heard that it was ridiculous that I was being denied since my recruiting office has seen plenty of people go in with my hip arthroscopic surgery, so I'm going to keep pushing as I imagine you will as well, but I completely understand how you feel.

So all in all I'm hearing they're cracking down on medical since they are taking less officers (or need less officers at this point is a better way of putting it). Like I said though, that's the common theme I've heard so I cannot completely attest to this. I wish there was a magic doctor or test we could take that the military would see as sufficient, but to my knowledge there isn't lol.

Just keep trying and get as many people as you can to take your side with letters and evaluations ect and see where that takes you. Never could hurt.

Best of luck.
Was this for a labral tear. I’ve had surgery on both hips and was fearful of being disqualified
 
I am kinda in the same boat for a different condition though... This is what I've heard so take it as a grain of salt, but I keep hearing that the military was downsized during the previous administration with the war dying down a bit. I was awarded an NROTC scholarship and lost it after being denied a waiver for an orthopedic surgery two years ago. I submitted everything under the sun from Navy ortho's to my ortho ect... Still denied on 4 appeals.

I have also heard that it was ridiculous that I was being denied since my recruiting office has seen plenty of people go in with my hip arthroscopic surgery, so I'm going to keep pushing as I imagine you will as well, but I completely understand how you feel.

So all in all I'm hearing they're cracking down on medical since they are taking less officers (or need less officers at this point is a better way of putting it). Like I said though, that's the common theme I've heard so I cannot completely attest to this. I wish there was a magic doctor or test we could take that the military would see as sufficient, but to my knowledge there isn't lol.

Just keep trying and get as many people as you can to take your side with letters and evaluations ect and see where that takes you. Never could hurt.

Best of luck.
Was this for a labral tear. I’ve had surgery on both hips and was fearful of being disqualified
Yes it was, right labral tear in my hip.
 
Back
Top