disqualification/waiver recomendations

mnolan

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Jun 10, 2007
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170
A quick check of the DodMERB site indicates that my daughter, who has been conditionally accepted to the Coast Guard Academy, has been disqualified based on two should dislocations. (DoDMERB code Disqualification D225.00).

We understand that the waiver process is inititated by USCGA, but is there anything anyone suggests that we do to help the situation? We submitted all required medical documentation as well as a letter from the Orthopedic surgeon attesting to her condition.

On a related note, she took a methacholine test (at DodMERBs request) today. There is no mention of Asthma as a disqualfier on the DoDMERB site. Does that mean they passed her on that? Or did they just DQ on the first thing on the list. I am just curious if the ashtma thing will come up again if USCGA does issue a waivver for the shoulder thing.

Date Event Code(s)
17-SEP-07 Application Added
17-SEP-07 Date applicant entered into DoDMERB system
05-OCT-07 Actual date of exam
25-OCT-07 Date exam received at DoDMERB
25-OCT-07 Medical data entry
07-NOV-07 Date letter sent - Remedial R263.00, R251.02, R252.90, R220.00
07-NOV-07 Date exam reviewed
15-NOV-07 Date letter sent - Remedial R263.00, R252.40, R252.90, R220.00
15-NOV-07 Date exam reviewed
16-NOV-07 Date letter sent - Remedial R263.00, R240.00, R252.40, R252.90, R220.00
03-DEC-07 Date exam reviewed
10-DEC-07 Date letter sent - Remedial R240.00, R242.03, R242.06, R252.40, R252.90
10-DEC-07 Date exam reviewed
18-DEC-07 Date exam reviewed
02-JAN-08 Date letter sent - Disqualification D225.00
02-JAN-08 Date letter sent - Disqualification D225.00
02-JAN-08 Date exam reviewed


Thanks

Mike
 
If DoDMERB has all the medical records as well as the methacholine challenge test results, then the only disqualification is for the shoulder separations and everything else has been cleared. The best way to make sure that all the information has been reviewed is to give DoDMERB a call and double check. I'm pretty positive that if all the information was mailed together, that the only issue remaining is to get the shoulder DQ waived.

As I've stated in the past, the best thing to do at this point in time is to have your daughter write a letter, in her words, explaining the circumstances behind the shoulder separations, what treatment she received, how well it has healed, what activities she currently participates in and how the shoulder separations affect those activities. Submit the letter to DoDMERB and it will be forwarded to the waiver authorities.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask away!

EDIT: I failed to read the whole post, she just took the MCCT yesterday, so DoDMERB does not have all the information. It is possible then that if the MCCT shows that she still has reactive airway disease that another disqualification could be added when those results arrive.
 
DQ and stuff

Thanks for the input........we will send them a letter about the first DQ today and wait and see what happens with that as well as wait on the MCT results.

Mike
 
Can you give us an idea as to how long it generally takes the USAFA to act on a Waiver request? D is conditionally appointed and was dq'd for asthma. Its been well over 30 days since waiver request and still no word or anything posted on dodmerb site. Thanks
 
methacholine test results interpretation

My daughter received the results from her methacholine test today. She went through the 5 stages of the challenge. Her stage 5 numbers are FEV1 - 13%, FEV1/FVC -11%, FEF25-75 -24%, PEFR -4%. there are a couple of pages of results....but at the bottom of the last page it says....
Interpretation: NEGATIVE METHACHOLINE CHALLENGE. HOWEVER THE DECREASE IN FEV1 AT HIGH CONCENTRATION DOES NOT EXCLUDE THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASTHMA.

I realize that no one on this forum can or should make a medical diagnosis and that DoDMERB will make their own diagnosis anyhow, but by saying "NEGATIVE METHACHOLINE CHALLENGE" does the interpretation indicate that they think she passed the test, or failed it? The word "negative" is kind of confusing.

thanks

mike
 
For the Methacholine Challenge Test, "negative" is good, "positive" is bad.

Good luck to your daughter.
 
thanks

That's what I thought, but sometimes the wording can be a little funny.

thanks

mike
 
Can you give us an idea as to how long it generally takes the USAFA to act on a Waiver request? D is conditionally appointed and was dq'd for asthma. Its been well over 30 days since waiver request and still no word or anything posted on dodmerb site. Thanks

It usually takes between 4 and 8 weeks to hear back from the waiver authorities, but can take longer.

My daughter received the results from her methacholine test today. She went through the 5 stages of the challenge. Her stage 5 numbers are FEV1 - 13%, FEV1/FVC -11%, FEF25-75 -24%, PEFR -4%. there are a couple of pages of results....but at the bottom of the last page it says....
Interpretation: NEGATIVE METHACHOLINE CHALLENGE. HOWEVER THE DECREASE IN FEV1 AT HIGH CONCENTRATION DOES NOT EXCLUDE THE DIAGNOSIS OF ASTHMA.

I realize that no one on this forum can or should make a medical diagnosis and that DoDMERB will make their own diagnosis anyhow, but by saying "NEGATIVE METHACHOLINE CHALLENGE" does the interpretation indicate that they think she passed the test, or failed it? The word "negative" is kind of confusing.

thanks

mike

DoDMERB will look at the change in the FEV1 vs. just what the specialist annotated on the form. So it really hinges on what the FEV1 was initially and the final 13%.
 
timeframe for waiver/remedial

As part of my daughter's USNA medical waiver process, the Medical officer requested that she take a pulmonary function test. She passed with flying colors on all phases of the test :biggrin: , and we FedEx'd the data, doctor's letters, etc. for morning arrival yesterday (10 Jan).

Will the DoDMERB website eventually show receipt of the new information, or will the only change be after USNA reviews the data? The original waiver review took about a month. Should we expect about the same time for review of the test results?

Since specific tests were requested and passed, does this imply that a waiver is a good probability?

Is it appropriate (or not) for my daughter to email her POC in the USNA medical office to let them know the information is at DoDMERB?

Thanks!
 
I believe one of the dates on the web site will change, but I can't remember exactly which one it is, and with the IT issues DoDMERB has been having recently I don't know if it will show up or not.

As for contacting the POC at the USNA, there is no problem with that.

Usually the reviews of requested additional information go quicker than the initial review.
 
D has a waiver request (delivered in Dec) in at the USAFA with a conditional appointment. Her DODmerb page changed and now it reads:
Admission Status: Accepted
Admission Status Change Date: 10-JAN-2008

Does this mean that the waiver has been granted or something else. All of this seems so cryptic!
 
The admissions status comes straight from the admissions office. From my understanding, your daughter has accepted the conditional offer of appointment.

If that is not correct, then you need to contact the admissions office.

Once the waiver has been granted her medical status will change to "Waiver Granted".
 
My d's waiver was "temporarily deferred" pending a methacholine challenge test. The letter says that she has three options to have the test done: Have concorde set it up:thumbdown: ; or go to Mil base and have it done (not available to us) or do it privately.
The letter says that the first option is the "government preferred" method but not sure why. Our faith in Concorde is lacking given that it lost the initial exam information for 2 months. So, we most likely will be going the private route. Any idea of the cost of Methacholine challenge test? Any idea why Concorde is the preferred route by the Government?
Thanks
 
The last time I saw, the price for a methacholine challenge test was around $1,000.

Concorde is the prefered route since the applicants/parents do not have to pay any money for the testing. Also Concorde knows the exact requirements that DoDMERB is looking for with the testing.

The military treatment facility (MTF) could be an option if there is an MTF nearby that has the capability to do the testing. The DoDMERB letter is the authorization to get it done regardless if you are military or not.

By going with your health care provider, if all the information that DoDMERB is looking for is not completed, then DoDMERB will request the information again.
 
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