Asthma Regulation

galarad113

New Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
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Can anyone shed some light on the DoD asthma regulation? On DoD Instruction 613003p it says:

d. Airway hyper responsiveness including asthma (493.xx), reactive airway disease,
exercise-induced bronchospasm (519.11) or asthmatic bronchitis (493.90), reliably diagnosed
and symptomatic after the 13th birthday.
(1) Reliable diagnostic criteria may include any of the following elements: substantiated
history of cough, wheeze, chest tightness, and/or dyspnea which persists or recurs over a
prolonged period of time, generally more than 12 months.
(2) Individuals DO MEET the standard if within the past 3 years they meet ALL of the
criteria in subparagraphs 11.d.(2)(a)-(d).
(a) No use of controller or rescue medications (including, but not limited to inhaled
corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or short-acting beta agonists).
(b) No exacerbations requiring acute medical treatment.
(c) No use of oral steroids.
(d) A current normal spirometry (within the past 90 days), performed in accordance
with American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines and as defined by current National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) standards.

I've read multiple forums on asthma disqualification on this website but no one has mentioned part two of the regulation posted above (individual does meet standard if...), I just wanted to know if it was true. Are army rotc cadets held to DoD medical standards when they complete their DodMERB or are they held to army regulation Ar 40-501?
 
galarad113 -- try typing in "asthma remedial" in the upper right search box. My belief is that "part 2" of the DoD reg is the basis for those remedial requests.

DoDMERB uses the DoD reg to determine whether you are "qualified" or "DQ" for entry into military service via ROTC or the Service Academies (SA).

The mlitary service reg (i.e., AR 40-501 for the Army) is used by the waiver authority (each SA and each ROTC Command) to guide/determine whether a medical waiver can be granted. Medical waivers for Army ROTC cadets are determined by the Commanding General of US Army Cadet Command (USACC) and she is advised by the USACC Command Surgeon. Here is a letter from last year from the USACC Command Surgeon to Army ROTC Detachments advising them on non-waiverable conditions. https://www.jmu.edu/rotc/prospective-cadets/Non-waiverable medical conditions.pdf
 
Quick question, does MEPS also use Dod regulation or do they use AR 40-501 regulation? Im contemplating joining the national guard while participating in Army rotc.
 
I am not certain but believe there is a thread on that question -- use that search tool in upper right ;-)
 
When you fill out the medical questionnaire address each of the 4 exceptions and be as specific as possible. For example No use of controller or rescue inhalers since (insert date), no use of oral steroids since (insert date). Have the documentation available so if they ask for it during the remedial process it will be one less thing you have to do. It will also help u fill out the explanations. Who knows they may read the explanation, see that you meet the exception and pass.
 
Get your spirometry done now. If you are 100% postitive asthma is a thing of the past, look into the methacholine challenge.

These will be the tests that PROVE you do NOT have asthma.
Some doctors do not believe in the methacholine challenge because some people have a lesser tolerance to irritants, and may give a false positive because of this. This will require a specialist.
Spirometry is also cheaper, and many more doctors can perform it. My primary care was even able to do this.
 
Quick question, does MEPS also use Dod regulation or do they use AR 40-501 regulation? Im contemplating joining the national guard while participating in Army rotc.
Question: This information that is in the regulations are from 2015. Has there been any changes since the publication of this report?
 
Look at your DODMERB home page there is an email address for questions. My DS went through this action. This board can give guidance on a lot but your medical questions should really be answered by DODMERB.
 
So I have a question regarding a possible asthma and allergies DQ. When I was 6 years old until shortly after I turned 9 years old, I saw an allergy-immunologist who initially diagnosed me with allergic rhinitis and intrinsic asthma. During the ages mentioned, I was taking an inhaled steroid for my asthma treatment, but it never seemed to change my condition much. As well, my asthma symptoms were never serious. I was never treated for an asthma attack and only used a rescue inhaler on occasion as needed, but my allergies to certain pollens and pet dander did not go down. Realizing that I was on a treatment with significant side effects such as stunted growth, my mom made the decision to take me to another doctor who tested me for food allergies, thinking it might be the root cause of my asthma symptoms and other allergies. I tested positive for Wheat and a few other foods. I then stopped all form of steroidal asthma and allergy treatment advised by the original allergy-immunologist, and began a diet where I did not eat any foods I was allergic to. My last visit to the original allergy-immunologist who diagnosed me was 6/26/09 shortly after I turned 9. After a few months of the diet, my allergies and asthma symptoms improved tremendously, and after about a year, I stopped having any asthma symptoms and only had allergies to pet dander and Wheat (my other food sensitivities went back to zero) and never had another diagnosis of asthma or allergies. I know that my diagnosis of asthma was before the age cut off but I am still worried because there were a few inhaler prescriptions which my mom filled in my name after age 12 as a precautionary measure. When one would go missing or expire, she would get a new one to keep just in case. The last one she filled was about 18-24 months ago and I am currently 17 turning 18 in May. If anyone has any insight into whether I should worry about being DQ'd for this I would appreciate the feedback. Thanks!
 
So I have a question regarding a possible asthma and allergies DQ. When I was 6 years old until shortly after I turned 9 years old, I saw an allergy-immunologist who initially diagnosed me with allergic rhinitis and intrinsic asthma. During the ages mentioned, I was taking an inhaled steroid for my asthma treatment, but it never seemed to change my condition much. As well, my asthma symptoms were never serious. I was never treated for an asthma attack and only used a rescue inhaler on occasion as needed, but my allergies to certain pollens and pet dander did not go down. Realizing that I was on a treatment with significant side effects such as stunted growth, my mom made the decision to take me to another doctor who tested me for food allergies, thinking it might be the root cause of my asthma symptoms and other allergies. I tested positive for Wheat and a few other foods. I then stopped all form of steroidal asthma and allergy treatment advised by the original allergy-immunologist, and began a diet where I did not eat any foods I was allergic to. My last visit to the original allergy-immunologist who diagnosed me was 6/26/09 shortly after I turned 9. After a few months of the diet, my allergies and asthma symptoms improved tremendously, and after about a year, I stopped having any asthma symptoms and only had allergies to pet dander and Wheat (my other food sensitivities went back to zero) and never had another diagnosis of asthma or allergies. I know that my diagnosis of asthma was before the age cut off but I am still worried because there were a few inhaler prescriptions which my mom filled in my name after age 12 as a precautionary measure. When one would go missing or expire, she would get a new one to keep just in case. The last one she filled was about 18-24 months ago and I am currently 17 turning 18 in May. If anyone has any insight into whether I should worry about being DQ'd for this I would appreciate the feedback. Thanks!

It doesn't say where you applied.
USAFA applicants are allowed to do an asthma challenge test prior to entry as of about 18 months ago.
 
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