Appointment received, pending DoDMERB qualification

[aewilliams17]

My daughter has received a conditional appointment to USAFA; however DoDMERB has disqualified her. USAFA Admissions requested a Medical Waiver and AMI. We submitted the Additional Meducal Infirmation (AMI) for the Waiver and it was denied prior to receiving the appointment. We believe our last option for DoDMERB qualification is to appeal the Waiver Authorities decision, which we are preparing. Does her conditional appointment have any sway with the Waiver Authority? Her DQ was due to "History of Depression" and "History of prescription with psychotropic medication within the last 36 months". The diagnosis and script were from her her family doctor after visiting her due to being moody as a teenager going through the early stages of puberty. For the AMI we met with a psychiatrist who has indicated that she has no symptoms of depression and probably never was. She indicated that Family docs are quick to put people of psychotropic drugs when they are not needed. In fact, my daughter didn't take them as prescribed, but only PRN. The prescribing doctor to order a tox screen, which indicated that the meds are not in her system, which was also included in the AMI. Are there any suggestions that may give us the best chance to overcome these issues in our appeal?

 

[T-37IP]

USAFA can be a very dark, lonely place that tests even the most emotionally stable. Make sure your daughter (and you) are fully aware of how emotionally and mentally draining that place can be and that she is truly prepared. The conditional appointment has no bearing on the waiver process, other than USAFA asked for it.

 

[MidCakePa]

She has an LOA: letter of assurance. As you say, it’s a conditional appointment, pending DODMERB clearance. But not an appointment by itself. We’ll all be pulling for her.

The LOA and DODMERB are related but one does not sway the other. They are independent processes, with admissions accountable for a certain set of standards and DODMERB accountable for another. She may still get the waiver, but sadly we read each year of LOA recipients who don’t.

The SAs are indeed very grueling places mentally and emotionally. Even the strongest can struggle. AD is even more so, and in that context, it’s not just about the individual but also those they lead.

 

[NavyUMO]

Ran into a very similar situation with our DS and a DODMERB clearance for anti-depressive medication. Though he was feeling much better at the time of his DODMERB screening he had a similar history of medication in the past. The Air Force waiver authority seems to be fairly sticky on time frame off of medications regardless of how they are doing at the time of the evaluation but hoping she will be able to get her waiver.

 

[justdoit19]

My daughter has received a conditional appointment to USAFA; however DoDMERB has disqualified her. USAFA Admissions requested a Medical Waiver and AMI. We submitted the Additional Meducal Infirmation (AMI) for the Waiver and it was denied prior to receiving the appointment.

This last sentence confuses me, in the context of the entire quote. How did she receive a LOA, if the waiver/ami were denied prior? Does she have others LOA items to clear? Maybe I’m misunderstanding.

Keep in mind that the DQ could be multifaceted: it may not be ‘tox screen shows no meds’ type of thing. It can have further ‘roots’. Ie the condition needing medication. Some include items in DR’s notes. Some DQ’s are ‘time off’ types. I have no idea in your DD’s case, I’m not DODMERB.

From what you have provided, +1 to other posters. SA’s, are huge pressure cookers. Add to it, the pressure felt from family/friends/teachers/coaches who supported the efforts to obtain the ‘prestigious appointment’, and the mental toll *can* be great. Most years I’ve been here, it’s been too great to overcome and ended in tragedy for a SA member.

Wishing your dd all the best.

 

[rod1978]

This last sentence confuses me, in the context of the entire quote. How did she receive a LOA, if the waiver/ami were denied prior? Does she have others LOA items to clear? Maybe I’m misunderstanding.

Keep in mind that the DQ could be multifaceted: it may not be ‘tox screen shows no meds’ type of thing. It can have further ‘roots’. Ie the condition needing medication. Some include items in DR’s notes. Some DQ’s are ‘time off’ types. I have no idea in your DD’s case, I’m not DODMERB.

From what you have provided, +1 to other posters. SA’s, are huge pressure cookers. Add to it, the pressure felt from family/friends/teachers/coaches who supported the efforts to obtain the ‘prestigious appointment’, and the mental toll *can* be great. Most years I’ve been here, it’s been too great to overcome and ended in tragedy for a SA member.

Wishing your dd all the best.

I have similar situation. My daughter saw therapist for 3 times, no medication was needed, she got better over her anxiety. Despite doctors notes and recommendations, her waiver was denied. She appealed a few days ago and was given 30 days to present additional info to too . We are in the process to provide that next week, however her appeal was already denied. I do not understand why? No explanation, we still have plenty of time. Can someone help? Maybe we need to talk to someone? She is so devastated. Please help.