Concussions DQ? and ACL?

topsailorgirl

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Dec 30, 2016
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9
Hello
I have really enjoyed these forums and have learned a lot. Thank you to all who answer the many questions. It is a learning experience for me (non military) . I have a sports injury question.
My DD had 2 concussions close together last year(Fall 2015) in cheerleading. She was cleared completely and resumed cheerleading within a month that same season. She did see doctors and had special testing done and had a head CAT scan done too. All was fine. Academics no issue despite the head injuries. Then , she also unfortunately tore her ACL the next Spring 2016. She is now totally recovered again. I need to put her in bubble wrap I am thinking ! How will this affect her chances for class 2022 app?
 
I'm not to sure, but there are few people who get sports injuries, and many get DQ'd by Dodmerb. Though some get granted waivers if they have been cleared by their doc and it may also depend. Good luck.
 
Son had two concussions from football and fully recovered. He was cleared by DoDMERB with no issues. He now flies planes for the AF with no problems. The ACL might cause some more effort to document but she certainly will not be the first person to have had knee surgery approved. Nothing is guaranteed but I don't see either issue as being a show-stopper.

Stealth_81
 
In that same form area on the DoDMERB site there is a orthopedic injury questionnaire that you should review. You may have to fill it out. The questions can shape your response on the health form. Things like no restrictions, no brace, no pain.
 
I have posted this before but often they will ask for a letter from the Doctor who treated (surgeon if there was surgery) the injury stating;
"cleared for full and unrestricted activities". As well as all records related to the treatment by the Doctor. They are not interested in physical therapy so much.
 
Thank you all very much for the prompt replies! I have another question. Is there somewhere I can download the entire medical questionnaire from DODMERB in general? I would like to get a look at it to see if I can foretell any other potential issues that I may need to get records for and be prepared for. Also just a comment (from a non military person mind you!)- seems to me that the SA's are looking for young well rounded people (reminds me of Renaissance Man) who are extremely active ---these are the exact type of people who will get injured ! as opposed to the super smart kid who just studies but will not get injured likely. I am just wondering out of all the appointees, I would wager that most have had some sort of sports injury . What do you think? I joked about putting DD in bubble wrap but she is only a junior and I want her to enjoy life and sports. I guess we will just pray she has no more injuries! I also forgot to mention she wears glasses to see distance- so now I will need 3 waivers!!!
 
It is unfortunate that DoDMERB does not have an official published version of the health history form. It may be because the form is all online now. But, here is an unofficial publication from 2008 but it looks identical to what my DS completed online last year. http://www.tamug.edu/corps/images/NROTCPHYSICAL.pdf
If you really want to get into the weeds, as I did, here is the standard that is used to determine qualified and DQ. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf you can investigate your medical concerns and see if they would be important to DoDMERB. You will see that if your DD vision corrects to 20/20 and uncorrected is better than +/-8.0 diabetes she will not need a waiver. Also, surgery of a torn ACL may not need a waiver. Look at the standard and you can see what criteria would be needed to qualify with a surgically repaired ACL. It is possible that if you provide the information that is important to DoDMERB you may qualify without any remedials. On the other hand you could provide all the information you think is important, then get a remedial, a DQ and need a waiver.

When my DS was going through the process I was convinced that because of a surgery, he was going to need a remedial, at a minimum. We completed the medical history form and quoted important medical reports and pathology. No remedial. I beleive it is best to be educated as much as possible so you can provide the appropriate information. The information that DoDMERB believes is important. Best of luck. I think you are on the right track.
 
Hello
I have really enjoyed these forums and have learned a lot. Thank you to all who answer the many questions. It is a learning experience for me (non military) . I have a sports injury question.
My DD had 2 concussions close together last year(Fall 2015) in cheerleading. She was cleared completely and resumed cheerleading within a month that same season. She did see doctors and had special testing done and had a head CAT scan done too. All was fine. Academics no issue despite the head injuries. Then , she also unfortunately tore her ACL the next Spring 2016. She is now totally recovered again. I need to put her in bubble wrap I am thinking ! How will this affect her chances for class 2022 app?
 
I have similar questions and am frustrated by the lack of available information regarding concussions and admission. With the increased sensitivity to head injuries and the increased number of concussions being diagnosed these day, I am surprised the academies are not offering up more information about applicants and this issue.
My DD suffered a concussion her senior year in HS (she graduated in 2016 concussion was in 2015). Our county school system has strict guideline on returning to school. Additionally, her dr. is at the USNA and he too has strict guidelines for returning to school/activities.
She missed 4 days of school but when she did return she was symptom free and has been for over 16 months now. Graduated 5/500 in HS, straight A student and just finished her first semester at very competitive university with a 4.0.
She passed her DoDMerb exam with flying colors, completed her fitness assessment, did a pull up and ran a 6:20 mile.
We just received the letter from DoDMerb to complete the head injury form. We are concerned this will be an issue for her.
Any information would be helpful. Thanks.
 
All the information for the medical standards that apply is published. DODI 6130.03 About 80+ pages. If you dig through it you will find that for concussions it is disqualifying if:
k. History of persistent post-concussive symptoms (310.2) that interfere with normal activities or have duration of more than 1 month. Such symptoms include but are not limited to headache, vomiting, disorientation, spatial disequilibrium, impaired memory, poor mental concentration, shortened attention span, dizziness, or altered sleep patterns.

They are asking you to fill out the form to see if the standard above applies. If you compare the standard and the questionnaire they both align almost perfectly. In my UNprofessional opinion you have nothing to worry about.
 
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