Is there any chance that someone could be given a waiver if they have asthma? My son's asthma has been well controlled. He has been involved with boy scouts (camping, hiking), venturing (trip to Costa Rica and living like a local), water sports, and has been running, competitively, both cross country and track since he was in 5th grade. He did very well on the PT for both USAFA and USCGA. He has received a scholarship for AFROTC, but if he is medically disqualified then he loses the scholarship and can't serve his country. Is there any way he could possibly get a waiver?
can you ever get a waiver if you have asthma?
- Thread starter lsufan
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The only way to get medically cleared by DoDMERB is to pass the Pulmonary Function Test of Methacholine Challenege Test. My pulmonologist said MCTs sometimes give false positives, so there might be a way to get around that too.
I would schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist, get them to write note saying that you are not affected by asthma, and then submit it (along with clean test results) as AMI to DoDMERB. That's what I did. I was requalified a few weeks later.
I would schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist, get them to write note saying that you are not affected by asthma, and then submit it (along with clean test results) as AMI to DoDMERB. That's what I did. I was requalified a few weeks later.
I know of someone personally who failed the methacholine test and was appointed to Navy. Not a recruited athlete but female. Surprised my husband (Navy retired) but Mid was issued an inhaler on I day and never looked back. Restricted line due to failing the challenge again in November but a Mid nonetheless.
Pauline Tougas
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I have first hand experience with this and my DS, a 2nd Lt graduate of USAFA Class of 2016. He received his "conditional" acceptance around February 7, 2012 and did not receive his "official" medical clearance acceptance until the week before Memorial Day. Asthma is what was holding him up. He had asthma as a child, but basically outgrew it. He needed an inhaler ONE time at the age of 14, and this is what held up the waiver. He played football, hockey and volleyball in high school and never had an issue.
Personally, I brought him to a private doctor to have the Methacholine Challenge Test done as soon as I heard he needed a waiver. He was not able to pass the test. You need to pass all 5 of the steps. He passed 4. Keep in mind we live in New England and his seasonal allergies were bothering him. When he went for the same test ordered by DODMERB, he was only able to get to the 3rd step. Again, it was later in March and his allergies were bothering him. I sent in the test that I had done to the physicians at the Medical Board so they would have both to compare.
Then, I called the nearest base to see if I could bring my son to see their pulmonologist for an exam. They informed me that the physician they use was actually employed through the large medical company that I worked for. I was able to get an appt for my son to see this same physician within a very short time. I went in and explained the entire situation to the physician: how my son started with his asthma, how bad it was as a child, the multiple hospitalizations he had and how he had outgrown it. I had the results of both Methacholine Challenge Tests with me. The physician listened to me and examined my son. He informed me that he wanted to order his own Methacholine Challenge Test and he was pretty sure my son would be able to pass it. By now, April was upon us and his allergies were doing much better. My son went back for the test and passed the test and the physician wrote up an office note and sent it in to the Medical Board physician, along with the Methacholine Challenge Test results from the test he performed.
I had been calling the Medical Board physicians weekly and keeping them informed with what was going on with my son, who was still only 17, so I could speak for him. Even after receiving all the information from my hometown physician, we received a letter stating that my son was disqualified. I called the physician in town that he saw and HE personally called the Medical Board and spoke to someone. I'm not sure what transpired, but my son was qualified and entered the Academy with his peers on I DAY. 28 Jun 12, during the Waldo Cannon Fires.
So, to answer your question, YES, there is ALWAYS a possibility that you can receive a waiver for asthma. Every circumstance is different and the only thing you can continue to do is fight, until there is no fight left!!! Good Luck to you and your future cadet!! If I can be of any assistance, please let me know.
Pauline Tougas
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I believe my DS needed the waiver because he was prescribed an inhaler one time at the age of 14. That's what was told to me. He had been sick, but he never used it to play sports all through high school.