"Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm" Waiver chances

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MyKidsDream

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My son is waiting for the "Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm" waiver. He has not had anything after the age of 12-13, and he does not take any medication and CFA scores are also good. He never had severe asthma, but has to take inhaler, due to pollen etc.

What are the chances for him getting the waiver for SAs?

He has already granted waiver for Army ROTC.
 
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DS just received a waiver this week for same thing (and a few other issues) for USNA. Waiting to hear from other SAs.
 
MyKidsDream said:
My son is waiting for the "Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm" waiver. He has not had anything after the age of 12-13, and he does not take any medication and CFA scores are also good. He never had severe asthma, but has to take inhaler, due to pollen etc.

What are the chances for him getting the waiver for SAs?

He has already granted waiver for Army ROTC.
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I’ve been DQ’d since early November for the same reason. Mine was because of childhood cold/flu induced asthma. Don’t have it anymore according to my doctor and a lengthy file of my medical records proving such is sitting at the USAFA Waiver Review waiting to be looked at. My current status is “Under Waiver Review”, what academy/ies did your son apply to? I’ve been trying to find out if USAFA has granted any Asthma related waivers yet or if the majority of kids who were an Asthma DQ are still “Under Waiver Review“ by USAFA Waiver Authority. If your son is applying to USAFA I’ve read receiving a nomination might help your chances of the waiver being looked at as it makes you more competitive.
 
MyKidsDream said:
My son is waiting for the "Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm" waiver. He has not had anything after the age of 12-13, and he does not take any medication and CFA scores are also good. He never had severe asthma, but has to take inhaler, due to pollen etc.

What are the chances for him getting the waiver for SAs?

He has already granted waiver for Army ROTC.
Click to expand...
Waivers are on a case-by-case basis so you can't know for sure, but since you got one for Army ROTC and judging by your explanation you shouldn't worry too much. Make sure to get your full official medical record and follow up with any AMI that the SAs request. Just like ROTC, the SAs decide on their own whether they want to waive your condition for their specific academy. Stay hopeful and continue to finish senior year strong.
 
ScreaminDemons said:
I’ve been DQ’d since early November for the same reason. Mine was because of childhood cold/flu induced asthma. Don’t have it anymore according to my doctor and a lengthy file of my medical records proving such is sitting at the USAFA Waiver Review waiting to be looked at. My current status is “Under Waiver Review”, what academy/ies did your son apply to? I’ve been trying to find out if USAFA has granted any Asthma related waivers yet or if the majority of kids who were an Asthma DQ are still “Under Waiver Review“ by USAFA Waiver Authority. If your son is applying to USAFA I’ve read receiving a nomination might help your chances of the waiver being looked at as it makes you more competitive.
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He has applied to USNA, USAFA and USCGA, for all the status is same "under waiver review" and has received nominations for USAFA and USNA both.
 
MyKidsDream said:
My son is waiting for the "Asthma/reactive airway disease/exercise induced bronchospasm" waiver. He has not had anything after the age of 12-13, and he does not take any medication and CFA scores are also good. He never had severe asthma, but has to take inhaler, due to pollen etc.

What are the chances for him getting the waiver for SAs?

He has already granted waiver for Army ROTC.
Click to expand...
What was the waiver process for Army ROTC? Did they ask for additional exams or records? How long did the process take from "Under Waiver Review" to "Waiver Granted"? My DS has the same DQ since Dec 15, so curious about the timeline and the process.
 
desisoccermom said:
What was the waiver process for Army ROTC? Did they ask for additional exams or records? How long did the process take from "Under Waiver Review" to "Waiver Granted"? My DS has the same DQ since Dec 15, so curious about the timeline and the process.
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They asked for all of his medical records (History), and other letters from doctor office. stating that he can do all activities without any issues. But we are still waiting for waiver from Academies.

This is just my guess, in any ROTC scholarships the waiver rule might be more lenient, just because they have 4 more year to observe the candidate.
 
desisoccermom said:
What was the waiver process for Army ROTC? Did they ask for additional exams or records? How long did the process take from "Under Waiver Review" to "Waiver Granted"? My DS has the same DQ since Dec 15, so curious about the timeline and the process.
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My son was awarded the AROTC scholarship in the first round, so mid October. He had already started the DoDMERB process because he's also applying to SA's, so they had all the information in the system already. He immediately got a letter with his DQ, and just received his waiver three days ago. So about three solid months.
 
desisoccermom said:
What was the waiver process for Army ROTC? Did they ask for additional exams or records? How long did the process take from "Under Waiver Review" to "Waiver Granted"? My DS has the same DQ since Dec 15, so curious about the timeline and the process.
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They should be asking for medical records and likely a Pulmonary Doctor Consult and Pulmonary Function testing. If he's had the DQ since 12/15 and they haven't asked or anything, he should reach out to his DODMERB Tech via email. The longest part for us was waiting for an appointment to see the Pulmonary Doctor. When we first called to schedule they were almost 3 months out! DS did call frequently and was able to get a cancelation appt a whole month sooner. Once everything is submitted to DODMBERB it goes to Cadet Command for review. I believe after son submitted, it was about 5 weeks until the "Waiver Granted" appeared in the portal. He was told 4-6 weeks by someone so that was pretty accurate!
 
Bduett said:
DS just received a waiver this week for same thing (and a few other issues) for USNA. Waiting to hear from other SAs.
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Would you mind sharing what AMI was requested for asthma and what the timeline was between DQed, Waiver Request, remedial submitted, and waiver granted? I am anxious because it is Jan 15 and he has been under review for a month now and we haven't heard anything from any of the academies. He has nominations for USNA, USAFA, and USMMA. Everything else is done except DoDmerb.
 
desisoccermom said:
Would you mind sharing what AMI was requested for asthma and what the timeline was between DQed, Waiver Request, remedial submitted, and waiver granted? I am anxious because it is Jan 15 and he has been under review for a month now and we haven't heard anything from any of the academies. He has nominations for USNA, USAFA, and USMMA. Everything else is done except DoDmerb.
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Medical turned in (Aug.) within a week DQ’d. USNA within a week or two requested a methacholine challenge test (MCT) and a review from pulmonologist. Took FOREVER to find a place to get MCT. Literally, I was calling all over the state because the places DODMETS gave wouldn't do it b/c he was “pediatric”. We also had to schedule around football. Finally got it completed the week before Christmas. Results provided the 20th of Dec. waiver granted Jan 7th.

USMMA requested waiver late Nov. All they wanted was a spirometry test and his previous medical records from allergist. Turns out a spirometry test was part of MCT, asked to have those test results forwarded to the Waiver Authority at USMMA. Active medical codes have been cleared for that SA but still sitting in under waiver review.
 
Bduett said:
Medical turned in (Aug.) within a week DQ’d. USNA within a week or two requested a methacholine challenge test (MCT) and a review from pulmonologist. Took FOREVER to find a place to get MCT. Literally, I was calling all over the state because the places DODMETS gave wouldn't do it b/c he was “pediatric”. We also had to schedule around football. Finally got it completed the week before Christmas. Results provided the 20th of Dec. waiver granted Jan 7th.

USMMA requested waiver late Nov. All they wanted was a spirometry test and his previous medical records from allergist. Turns out a spirometry test was part of MCT, asked to have those test results forwarded to the Waiver Authority at USMMA. Active medical codes have been cleared for that SA but still sitting in under waiver review.
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Did your DS apply to USAFA? If so Is there any update from USAFA regarding a potential waiver for your DS? I’ve been DQd since early November haven’t heard anything from the USAFA waiver authority.
 
Bduett said:
Medical turned in (Aug.) within a week DQ’d. USNA within a week or two requested a methacholine challenge test (MCT) and a review from pulmonologist. Took FOREVER to find a place to get MCT. Literally, I was calling all over the state because the places DODMETS gave wouldn't do it b/c he was “pediatric”. We also had to schedule around football. Finally got it completed the week before Christmas. Results provided the 20th of Dec. waiver granted Jan 7th.

USMMA requested waiver late Nov. All they wanted was a spirometry test and his previous medical records from allergist. Turns out a spirometry test was part of MCT, asked to have those test results forwarded to the Waiver Authority at USMMA. Active medical codes have been cleared for that SA but still sitting in under waiver review.
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Thank you. I am wondering if I should just schedule a MCT and pulmonologist test in advance? It's been more than a month since he has been under waiver review and if the SA asks for a test, I'd rather not scramble to get one at the last minute. His pediatrician had recommended he get a pulmonologist test when he we were filling out his app but we ran into the same issue, a pediatric wouldn't see him because their appt date was after his 18th birthday.
 
desisoccermom said:
Thank you. I am wondering if I should just schedule a MCT and pulmonologist test in advance? It's been more than a month since he has been under waiver review and if the SA asks for a test, I'd rather not scramble to get one at the last minute. His pediatrician had recommended he get a pulmonologist test when he we were filling out his app but we ran into the same issue, a pediatric wouldn't see him because their appt date was after his 18th birthday.
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If you have good insurance and don't mind the copayments, yes you could. This is what we did, and we were glad she completed all her testing in Feb. 2020, right before Covid hit! Not all waivers require MCT, PFT, and pulmonologist visit. Some require additional testing: DD had to do exercise stress tests for her remedial. DoDMERB had a specific way they wanted tests done. She did get waivers for AFROTC/USAFA. Had to do them all again for her pilot physical + additional testing (keep all of your records; they were asked for again). You will also need all medical notes related to inhaler usage/asthma + prescription history, so that is something you can be working on now that doesn't cost anything while you wait .

DD had 1 inhaler prescription after the age of 13, but she had a few borderline PFT's in childhood (allergist tested because of her allergies so it was in her records). Multiple pulmonologists concluded she does not have asthma; her smaller stature may have affected her PFT's (?). AF has to make sure. She was told she will have to do all tests again in 3 years (?) and if everything checks out again, she will have a permanent waiver. It is a long process!

Interestingly, she was told by the AF MD at Wright Pat that the AF has AD pilots with diagnosed asthma who use inhalers!
 
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ScreaminDemons said:
Did your DS apply to USAFA? If so Is there any update from USAFA regarding a potential waiver for your DS? I’ve been DQd since early November haven’t heard anything from the USAFA waiver authority.
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The one he didn't apply to!
 
desisoccermom said:
Thank you. I am wondering if I should just schedule a MCT and pulmonologist test in advance? It's been more than a month since he has been under waiver review and if the SA asks for a test, I'd rather not scramble to get one at the last minute. His pediatrician had recommended he get a pulmonologist test when he we were filling out his app but we ran into the same issue, a pediatric wouldn't see him because their appt date was after his 18th birthday.
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Well, we got a bill for it! It was almost 1K. I have to forward that to DOD.
 
Bduett said:
Well, we got a bill for it! It was almost 1K. I have to forward that to DOD.
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Just to temper expectation. DODMERB states that they will not reimburse candidates for medical expenses incurred. That is why they prefer you to go through DODMETS to do all testing. Doing on your own is always an option, but one you pay for.
 
MyKidsDream said:
They asked for all of his medical records (History), and other letters from doctor office. stating that he can do all activities without any issues. But we are still waiting for waiver from Academies.

This is just my guess, in any ROTC scholarships the waiver rule might be more lenient, just because they have 4 more year to observe the candidate.
Click to expand...
Just to add further progress on this, we have received the MCT and pulmonologist request from DODMERB today.
 
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