DD 2492 and athsma

E

elite marksman

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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DD form 2492 asks in question 32 weather I have/had asthma or other wheezing.

When i was approximately 13-14, maybe even 15, not sure exactly, my doctor though that I might have RAD (reactive airway disease), however, I have never been officially diagnosed with either asthma, exercise-induced asthma, or RAD. Also, I have never been treated for any repository ailment excluding specific illnesses. I was prescribed an inhaler once when I had pneumonia, and once when I possible had bronchitis. I haven't had either since then, approximately 5-6 years ago.

Should i still check yes for this and provide documents saying that i do not have RAD, with or without a PFA, or should I check no, since I have never been diagnosed with RAD.
 
I was prescribed an inhaler once when I had pneumonia, and once when I possible had bronchitis.
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Did you wheeze? If you had pneumonia and/or bronchitis and was prescribed an inhaler then the physician heard wheezing, most likely.

I would say - read the question and answer it truthfully. You could get a copy of your medical records from your doctor if you aren't sure.
 
My interpretation of the wheezing part is wheezing not explained by an acute illness. If it were chronic bronchitis/pneumonia, then I would definitely disclose it, but for a one-time occurence...

Though I'll wait for Mullen's interpretation of it, as he knows best in this circumstance.

Also, two more questions.

First, the eye problems, question 11. I scratched my cornea at 10 or 11, no complications to this day, and I don't think I can document it (files were lost when there was a fire at my dad's office).

Second, allergies, question 13. I am very minorly allergic to cats. No respritory problems, just a runny nose and watery eyes, if they get near my head. Can't document this either as i have never been to the doctor about it since it isnt a problem.

NCOs said not to mention either since I can't provide documentation.
 
While dormansoccermom is totally wrong, Just-A-Mom is on target. This is NOT an inquisition. If applicants are forthright and expeditious with us, we will be that way with them...as a amtter of fact, DoDMERB will be that way regardless. In my 17 years in doing this, I've seen many applicants who failed to disclose; went to a Service Academy; only to be dismissed because their condition precluded successful training. 2 things happened: Their previous opportunities had dried up and were given to other prospects AND their seats in the class, went empty for 4 years.

We don't expect applicants to be Docs, Nurses, or any other health care provider. Answer the questions to the best of your ability. They are preceeded by: "Have you never had or do you now have?:" and "I certify that I have reviewed the foregoing information supplied by me and that it is true and complete to the best of my knowledge..."

Not telling you what to put, I'd say what you stated below appears to be true and complete to the best of my knowledge....you may just want to say what you stated below:thumb:
 
Mullen, is my interpretation of the wheezing correct, or does it mean ANY wheezing, regardless of weather or not it can be explained by an acute illness?

It is now the 4th week of classes, so I've been to 7 PT sessions, and I haven't had problems breathing in any of them, except for being out of breath. However, I wouldn't consider it "unusually out of breath" because it's quite normal for someone who hasn't really exercised at all in the past 2 years to be out of breath when running 2-3 miles. Also, it doesn't take me long to catch my breath, and I'm not fighting for air when I do.
 
Pls don't misunderstand...I don't mean to be coy...It's pretty straight forward...."Have you ever had or do you now have asthma or wheezing?"

My previous answer said it best. Answer it to the best of your ability.:thumb:
 
My interpretation of the wheezing part is wheezing not explained by an acute illness. If it were chronic bronchitis/pneumonia, then I would definitely disclose it, but for a one-time occurence...
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I am not sure what there is to interpret. The question is straight forward - "Have you ever................................."
There are no qualification in the question.

I do empathize with your situation. My daughter faced a very similar situation two years ago. I suggest you take this one step at a time. Complete the medical history honestly and get your exam. See what happens next.
 
Just a Mom is correct. I don't want to start telling folks what to put on their medical history. Applicants to these fine instituions are more than capable of providing answers to the questions asked without my assistance. Also, certainly not the case that you are presenting, but for others, the Service Academies all have an honor code. It is incongruent with that code if folks conceal, become vague, or employ truth elongation to obtain admission.:thumb:
 
MullenLE said:
While dormansoccermom is totally wrong

Apparently, Elite Marksman was never diagnosed with asthma or RAD. So, answering no would be an honest answer. Our family doctor was in the Special Forces and he says that this question applies to people who have consistently had asthma symptoms, not a one time case of bronchitis or pneumonia.
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I called home today to get more accurate information from my doctor.

He said that between 03 and 04, my 13th and 14th birthdays, I was treated for "a slight wheeze." I don't remeber ever being treated for a wheeze/asthma, but its on the chart... He also said that it was a one-time occurance.

Does the Air Force pay for the charts or do I have to provide them at my own expense? I assume that they'll want the charts anyway.

Time to start praying for a waiver...

Oh, and being in ROTC, we are held to the USAF Honor Code and Core Values or we risk disenrollment.

"We will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will we tolerate any among us who do."

Also, why wont it let me edit my first post? I wanted to get rid of some annoying spelling errors, but I can't.

Thank you for your help.
 
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elite marksman said:
Also, why wont it let me edit my first post? I wanted to get rid of some annoying spelling errors, but I can't.

Thank you for your help.
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We have editing time limits in order to preserve the integrity of threads, which was a problem in the past.
 
Elite Marksman--I hope you get your waiver since it sounds like you don't have a history of asthma. Ask your doctor to write a letter on your behalf, stating that is was a one time occurance. Then, submit that letter to DoDMERB and the academy. I specifically asked our doctor about this (he's also a family friend). He served in the Gulf War with the Special Forces. He ought to know what puts a soldier at risk in the field. Military doctors are mostly concerned about an acute, recurring respiratory problem. They don't want a soldier in the field experiencing serious respiratory problems which would put their health in jeopardy with no medical assistance readily available. Anyone can get sick and have a case of bronchitis/pneumonia and experience wheezing, but that doesn't mean that person is a medical risk in the field. Maybe the DoDMERB question should be re-written to include acute, recurring asthma or acute, recurring wheezing instead of "have you ever." The "have you ever" poses a problem for those individuals who have once had bronchitis/pneumonia and are trying to be honest with their response.
 
I already asked him to write a letter. He said that in his opinion, I do not have any symptoms of chronic asthma and/or RAD.

I hope I do get in, because I haven't really put a whole lot of thought into what I would do as a civilian... I've intended to go military for as long as I can remember.
 
I'll limit my response tonight to one of your specific questions, because I think you're getting what you want from other sources.

DoDMERB (Air Force using your term) does NOT pay for transportation, lodging, or admin fees such as costs associated with copying records (charts, your term).
 
Mullen, what are the chances of getting something like this waived?

I know that every case is different, and you can't say exactly, but is it something DODMERB would consider waiving, or will it be very difficult.
 
Until the waiver authorities get a chance to review the clinical records as opposed to the anecdotal information, it would be too difficult to speculate
 
dormansoccermom said:
Elite Marksman--I hope you get your waiver since it sounds like you don't have a history of asthma.
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He hasn't even received a DQ yet!

More likely he will receive a remedial, a request for more information.

With the submission of records, a letter from his physician, and his own letter that explains the wheezing history, it is entirely possible that the remedial will be cleared without the need for the involvement of the waiver authorities.
 
I agree with Luigi. While I don't want to speculate on what Dodmerb will conclude, this is briefly how it worked for my daughter - which may or may not be the same for you:

The first step is to answer the Medical History questionairre thoroughly - explaining any answers that need explanation.
When DoDMERB gets the exam and the medical history they will review it. If they have "questions" the next step will be a "remedial" - most likely first a request for more information.
My daughter was required to complete several questionairres for a couple of different things. DoDMERB may also request "Birth to Present" medical records.

Most of the "questions" that Dodmerb had were resolved with the questionairres and/or the medical records.

After that - DoDMERB will make a determination. Like I said before - one step at a time.
 
I already knew that...however, he appears to be going down the road several steps at a time, instead of one step at a time, and I was getting tired. Just_A_Mom and I had stated several times what should occur, but he appears to be fatalistic and only listening to what he wants to hear and/or percieve.
 
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