DODMERB Seizure Disqualification

lucienmckernan

New Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2021
Messages
9
Hello,
Around 2014, I was diagnosed with Absence seizures and was put on medication to prevent them. The medication worked, and I believe that my last seizure was in early 2016. I was taken off of the medication on March 4th 2018. I also had a negative EEG test. Ever since then, I have had no problems whatsoever, and sometimes I forget that I ever even had seizures. I know that many epileptic people may have some barriers in physical activity or in the classroom; however, the history of seizures have had no bearing on my sports and academic life. I am a varsity captain in track and cross country with several all district and all region honors and play club basketball. Academically, my grades have not been impacted by my past condition.

I am applying to the Naval Academy and for the NROTC scholarship. Recently, I received directions for DODMERB and for scheduling a medical examination. One of the questions on the "medical history survey" asked if I had a history of seizures. This question did not come as a shock as I have been very aware of the difficulties that my condition would cause in the admissions process for years. The military policy on seizures is that one must be seizure and medication free for 5 years. I assume that since it has been 4 years since I have been medication free and over 5 since I have been seizure free, I will be medically disqualified by DODMERB? If that is the case, how likely would it be for me to get a waiver as the condition does not appear to have affected me?
Thank you,
Lucien McKernan
 
Send me an email: lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide complete name and last 4 SSN; provide the text of your posting above to YOUR email. The subject line of the email should be “lucienmckernan-SAF = DODMERB Seizure Disqualification.“ Do NOT embed links in your email as I will not be able to view those. :wiggle:
 
Welcome new member. You found the right place to post.
You are still in the editing window for another few minutes - I strongly encourage you to edit your post and remove your real name. This is not personal social media, it’s an anonymous Internet forum, and you should protect your privacy. Look around - people use avatars and screen names here.
You may also want to change your screen name. Or just delete the entire post, close out account, make a new one with a fun screen name and avatar and re-post.
 
Welcome new member. You found the right place to post.
You are still in the editing window for another few minutes - I strongly encourage you to edit your post and remove your real name. This is not personal social media, it’s an anonymous Internet forum, and you should protect your privacy. Look around - people use avatars and screen names here.
You may also want to change your screen name. Or just delete the entire post, close out account, make a new one with a fun screen name and avatar and re-post.
thank you for the advice, I will try to find a way to do so.
 
My son has received Congressional nominations to West Point and the Naval Academy. During the DoDMERB process, we disclosed his history of childhood seizures. They were relatively minor in nature, staring off for a short period and an occasional night event when he would wet the bed. He was on medication for them. His last seizure was in 2013 and he has been off all medication since 2015. Again, all of this was disclosed during the initial medical screening paperwork and subsequent physical exam. We received notice to provide all medical records, EEG/MRI Results, and all Prescription information from birth through current. They then sent back a request for him to undergo current EEG as well as have a consultation with a DoD approved Neurologist, which we completed. The EEG was similar to previous images. The Neurologist did a through exam and additional testing and approved him for service with not restriction or reservation. Within a few days of DoDMERB receiving the info from the Neurologist, he was disqualified due to having "atraumatic seizures after the age of 6". This triggered an automatic waiver review through at the Academies. Navy is still pending, but my son received a final denial from West Point today. I'm guessing that Navy will be following.

Is there an appeals process for waiver denials of this type to the individual Academies?
Would this denial apply to an ROTC Scholarship as well?
Is there a process or avenue by which he may still serve in the military, either enlisted or officer; with this past history, and the denials, but with an approval from a Neurologist?
Why would they put my son through this entire process, agonizing the entire way, only to be disqualified for something that was disclosed on the initial medical evaluation?

Any help is appreciated.
 
This is the third post. Find my original answer:wiggle:
 
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