Does DODMERB Automatically DQ for a Mild Concussion?

skpiel98

skpiel98

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DS had a mild concussion two years ago. Never lost consciousness, and only had a headache and some nausea that first day. He was seen by a doctor, and then followed the Ohio-mandated concussion protocol for returning to school and athletics. He has no residual issues of any sort - no recurring headaches, etc. Does DODMERB automatically DQ a candidate for a mild concussion like this?
 
skpiel98 said:
DS had a mild concussion two years ago. Never lost consciousness, and only had a headache and some nausea that first day. He was seen by a doctor, and then followed the Ohio-mandated concussion protocol for returning to school and athletics. He has no residual issues of any sort - no recurring headaches, etc. Does DODMERB automatically DQ a candidate for a mild concussion like this?
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My advice - don't disclose anything about the mild concussion.
 
skpiel98 said:
DS had a mild concussion two years ago. Never lost consciousness, and only had a headache and some nausea that first day. He was seen by a doctor, and then followed the Ohio-mandated concussion protocol for returning to school and athletics. He has no residual issues of any sort - no recurring headaches, etc. Does DODMERB automatically DQ a candidate for a mild concussion like this?
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First, he should definitely include the concussion on his history, especially since he was seen by a doctor and the injury was labeled as a concussion.
I am obviously not Mr. Mullen or affiliated with DODMERB, but based on what you've described, I do not believe 1 mild concussion from 2 years ago is an automatic DQ.

From the Medical Standards for Military Service, among disqualifying conditions, it lists:
History of mild brain injury if:
(1) The injury occurred within the past month;
(2) Neurological evaluation shows residual symptoms, dysfunction or activity limitations, or complications;
(3) Two episodes of mild brain injury occurred with or without loss of consciousness within the last 12 months; or
(4) Three or more episodes of mild brain injury

So it doesn't sound like that would be an automatic DQ, but it is up to DODMERB to decide. He should just give all the facts on his form related to the injury and his recovery. I would include what you stated about no residual issues.
 
skpiel98 said:
DS had a mild concussion two years ago. Never lost consciousness, and only had a headache and some nausea that first day. He was seen by a doctor, and then followed the Ohio-mandated concussion protocol for returning to school and athletics. He has no residual issues of any sort - no recurring headaches, etc. Does DODMERB automatically DQ a candidate for a mild concussion like this?
Click to expand...
Your DS should answer all medical history questions honestly and work through the process; recommend disregarding any advice to the contrary. Those who lie or lie by omission then have to remember to repeat that lie officially and unofficially and consistently. This is for his protection and for those he may eventually serve with. The medical bar for accession to military service is set high for a reason. Military people often serve in harsh, dangerous industrial or combat environments far away from advanced medical care, where the safety of the unit depends on everyone being able to perform their role and are not easily “broken” due to pre-existing conditions.

That said, given the number of athletes at the SAs, surely there are those who have experienced concussions, been initially DQ’ed, submitted appropriate documentation and received a waiver. Just work the process.

Here is the standard.

 
I will add to the excellent advice offered above. First, be honest and disclose ALL information to the best of your knowledge. There is nothing worse than completing this whole process to be permanently disqualified for service because you have lied or willfully omitted information. My DS had a single, but fairly serious concussion (with skull fracture) while lifeguarding and required intensive care. Although each medical case is different and waivers are on a case-by-case basis, he was granted a waiver by both Navy and USMA and is now a USMA Cadet. With my DS the DoDMERB trigger was “symptoms not resolved within 30 days.” They may also look at the number of previous concussions (if any) and severity.

The main thing is to be honest and disclose! I am neither a doctor nor on the admissions ‘ waiver committees of any academy but with sports and the military these doctors are used to seeing concussions. I supplied my son’s circumstances to show that despite his significant accident, it was a single event that he recovered from- disclosed fully - and was successful in obtaining waivers. I would not think a single concussion would be a DQ but even if it was, that is not the end of the road. Again, for my son, it was the length of headaches and that it took longer than thirty days to resolve. He did fully recover and had a couple years before application to show no reoccurrence of symptoms. Good luck with your road ahead but don’t start your military career with a failure to disclose. Sometimes the right path is not the easiest - but, it is the RIGHT path!
 
Our experience with DoDMERB was that answering every question honestly including dates (some of which had to be figured out by looking back in the iPhone archives) and status of ancient injuries (which were resolved) is not only the right thing to do, but also not necessarily a DQ worthy event, even though we worried it might be. Let the process work ... and remember the honor code is effective prior to admissions. Best of luck!
 
Just as a point of reference, DS had a concussions with short loss of consciousness while wrestling either his freshman or sophomore year. Symptoms resolved within 30 days. He did not get a DQ, but was prompted to fill out a head injury questionnaire with additional details about the injury and was found qualified. Each case is unique and your experience may be different.
 
My DS had two concussions, one of short duration and the other that took well past the 30 day mark to resolve. He disclosed both. The short one was not a DQ but the longer one was. We provided the necessary medical records including empirical evidence of full recovery. He was granted a waiver and is attending school on a 4 year NROTC scholarship. Disclosure is always the right decision.
 
Go Navy Beat Army! said:
My advice - don't disclose anything about the mild concussion.
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I understand not self-diagnosing (and reporting a self-diagnosis), but this is in his medical records. Not disclosing is an integrity issue. He already submitted everything and had the medical exams back in late September, anyway.
 
ProudMom7 said:
First, he should definitely include the concussion on his history, especially since he was seen by a doctor and the injury was labeled as a concussion.
I am obviously not Mr. Mullen or affiliated with DODMERB, but based on what you've described, I do not believe 1 mild concussion from 2 years ago is an automatic DQ.

From the Medical Standards for Military Service, among disqualifying conditions, it lists:
History of mild brain injury if:
(1) The injury occurred within the past month;
(2) Neurological evaluation shows residual symptoms, dysfunction or activity limitations, or complications;
(3) Two episodes of mild brain injury occurred with or without loss of consciousness within the last 12 months; or
(4) Three or more episodes of mild brain injury

So it doesn't sound like that would be an automatic DQ, but it is up to DODMERB to decide. He should just give all the facts on his form related to the injury and his recovery. I would include what you stated about no residual issues.
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Thank you! From what you provided from the Medical Standards for Military Service, it doesn't sound like it would be a DQ. He returned to school 5 days after the concussion at practice, and was cleared to return to full play after 13 days. No residual issues at all. And yes, he absolutely was forthcoming on the DODMETS form -- afterall, it is in his medical records, and not disclosing calls into question his integrity -- as well as the actual medical examination. The DODMETS case was "closed" on 10/6, so we're still waiting on DODMERB to make their determination.
 
Capt MJ said:
Your DS should answer all medical history questions honestly and work through the process; recommend disregarding any advice to the contrary. Those who lie or lie by omission then have to remember to repeat that lie officially and unofficially and consistently. This is for his protection and for those he may eventually serve with. The medical bar for accession to military service is set high for a reason. Military people often serve in harsh, dangerous industrial or combat environments far away from advanced medical care, where the safety of the unit depends on everyone being able to perform their role and are not easily “broken” due to pre-existing conditions.

That said, given the number of athletes at the SAs, surely there are those who have experienced concussions, been initially DQ’ed, submitted appropriate documentation and received a waiver. Just work the process.

Here is the standard.

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Excellent response. Thank you. As a SA graduate, and with a family legacy of military service, we wholeheartedly agree with the rationale for the medical standards and to not lie (directly or by omission). DS returned to school 5 days after the concussion, and was cleared for practice 13 days after the event. Not divulging / reporting that DS had a mild concussion was never an option or consideration. We were just curious if it is an automatic DQ. Doesn't sound like it, but obviously we're waiting for the formal determination still. And if it is a DQ, we'll work the process.
 
skpiel98 said:
Excellent response. Thank you. As a SA graduate, and with a family legacy of military service, we wholeheartedly agree with the rationale for the medical standards and to not lie (directly or by omission). DS returned to school 5 days after the concussion, and was cleared for practice 13 days after the event. Not divulging / reporting that DS had a mild concussion was never an option or consideration. We were just curious if it is an automatic DQ. Doesn't sound like it, but obviously we're waiting for the formal determination still. And if it is a DQ, we'll work the process.
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Roger all. I typically write for the larger readership, including the “lurkers,” because every year there are those who contemplate disclosure issues on medical, civil issues, alcohol, drugs, especially in the spring and the SF-86 pops up for appointees.
 
Just a few minutes ago, DS received an email from USAFA Admissions: "Your medical examination has been received by USAFA. The result of the current evaluation is Qualified. A Qualified medical status shows that you have met all medical fitness standards for entry into USAFA." So the mild concussion turns out, at least in his case and circumstances, to not be disqualifying!
 
skpiel98 said:
Just a few minutes ago, DS received an email from USAFA Admissions: "Your medical examination has been received by USAFA. The result of the current evaluation is Qualified. A Qualified medical status shows that you have met all medical fitness standards for entry into USAFA." So the mild concussion turns out, at least in his case and circumstances, to not be disqualifying!
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👏 👏 👏
 
skpiel98 said:
Just a few minutes ago, DS received an email from USAFA Admissions: "Your medical examination has been received by USAFA. The result of the current evaluation is Qualified. A Qualified medical status shows that you have met all medical fitness standards for entry into USAFA." So the mild concussion turns out, at least in his case and circumstances, to not be disqualifying!
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If you don’t mind answering, when did your DS take his medical exams?
 
BeatArmy2027! said:
If you don’t mind answering, when did your DS take his medical exams?
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DS took the medical on 26 Sept, and vision on 5 Oct. Records were submitted by DODMETS to DODMERB on 6 Oct, and the case was closed on 7 Oct. He was notified of qualification on 8 Nov.
 
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