DQ'd, now what

A6E Dad

A6E Dad

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On the questionnaire, my son answered 'no' to asthma on the questionnaire, but 'yes' to breathing difficultly (due to symptoms that he saw the doctor for), and was asked to send all the records.

I was very surprised that he was DQ’d for Asthma (D241.30). The records that were sent were very conclusive, from a pulmonologist, stating that he did not have asthma, and included a negative methacholine challenge test.

Is it possible to challenge or rebut the 'does not meet standard' decision?

looking for any help or guidance we can find.

thanks
 
If he is a viable candidate his academy might ask for a waiver.
DODMERB has to DQ for a "history of" various conditions.
 
I was hoping that the all the tests and doctors diagnosis would have been proof that he didn't have history of
 
If possible have your son examined by a retired military DR. They know the language and can work within the system. Check my earlier postings, my son was DQ and went this route and he received a waiver for AROTC. Good luck .
 
You might wish to consider speaking with CAPT/Dr. Merchant of Dodmerb Consultants. He is a former DODMERB Director and Marine Aviator/Navy Flight surgeon. He can assist you if you don't know of a retired Military physician to help word your documentation. I have never used his services, but others on this forum have with some success.

http://www.dodmerbconsultants.com/
 
@A6EDad

Being DQ'd is a routine procedure. After the DQ all DQ's are sent for a waiver decision. Here is the catch this may take a loooooooooong time. But will be considered for waiver with out any input from you. Do not depair, they will evaluate the letters sent by your pulmonologist and then render a decision. In my humble opinion DO NOT waste money on "consultants" your results will be no different if you followed what DODMERB asks of you.

I posted this message in another thread but is relevant for you as well, here it is...

My son had the diagnosis of Asthma in his medical records [incorrect diagnosis]. He also had used inhalers one time during a severe upper respiratory infection after the age of 13. Mom had filled inhalers as a precaution once a year but they were never used apart from the one episode at age 14 I think.

Be truthful in all your answers at the end of the day, it is for your son's safety, which is more important that getting the scholarship.

We went through DQ, then Spirometry and he passed. He is now a 4C.

Yes there is hope for history of asthma when it really is not asthma. I am posting this because last year we were in the same situation and could not find others who successfully got the waiver. I am sure your son will be just fine.

Good luck.
 
thanks informe, good to hear that it worked out for you

I don't think there is much hope for reversing the DQ. However, DoDMERB did acknowledge that the doctor removed the diagnosis, had good PFT, and a negative MCCT, but seemed to indicate that the waiver authority should consider the history and let them make the call.

As I understand it (but not sure), USNA won't request a waiver unless an LOA is issued, or unless qualified with a Nomination in hand, so it might be a while.

thanks,
 
A6E Dad said:
As I understand it (but not sure), USNA won't request a waiver unless an LOA is issued, or unless qualified with a Nomination in hand, so it might be a while
Click to expand...
DS waiver is pending without an LOA or Nom in hand.
 
My understanding is that if you are deemed competitive by the SA they will initiate the waiver review process. If ROTC then they will only initiate once an offer has been accepted.
 
Is it ''pending waiver"? or "pending waiver submission/review"? My son is "pending waiver submission/review" which I believe means that the waiver process hasn't started yet.

If you are 'pending waiver' I would think that is a good sign.

The dodmerb site says you need a nomination, and the usna website says conditional offer of appointment.

I suppose, like everything else, it depends. On what, nobody knows :)

This is what i copied directly from the usna website:

If you have a disqualifying condition, you will be automatically considered for a waiver if/when you receive a Conditional Offer of Appointment. You need not write to request a waiver, nor should you send additional medical information to the Naval Academy for review. A waiver of the medical standard may be granted if both your academic record and medical history suggest the risk introduced by the disqualifying condition is justified by your potential for success as a midshipman and as a naval officer. Many candidates will be required to provide additional information to DoDMERB after their first disqualifying medical condition has been waived. This additional information may result in other disqualifying conditions - which will also be considered for waiver.
 
A6E Dad said:
thanks informe, good to hear that it worked out for you

I don't think there is much hope for reversing the DQ. However, DoDMERB did acknowledge that the doctor removed the diagnosis, had good PFT, and a negative MCCT, but seemed to indicate that the waiver authority should consider the history and let them make the call.

As I understand it (but not sure), USNA won't request a waiver unless an LOA is issued, or unless qualified with a Nomination in hand, so it might be a while.

thanks,
Click to expand...

Don't give up hope yet! Son had a waiver requested by USNA for his shoulder surgery (8/3/16) and he sadly doesn't have an LOA yet. Keep the positive spirit! Good luck and tons of positive vibes coming your way.
 
informe said:
@A6EDad
In my humble opinion DO NOT waste money on "consultants" your results will be no different if you followed what DODMERB asks of you.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I don't think this is really true at all.

I've been in contact with Dr. Merchant for a few weeks now. Dodmerb requested a remedial from me for "mild to moderate scoliosis" and instructed me to get x-rays and have the degree of curvature measured by a radiologist. We decided, before contacting dodmerb consultants, to have this performed at a local hospital on our own dime (well, insurance covered it) as opposed to going to a government contractor and having the results automatically submitted to dodmerb. This initial test had me at an angle of curvature of 37 degrees. For some context, dodmerb automatically DQs anything over 30 and 37 puts chances of a waiver at slim to none.

We contacted Dr. Merchant before submitting the results and he advised to get a second opinion. We sent the x-rays to another radiologist, who measured me at 19 degrees. He said that he had no idea where 37 came from and that the first radiologist probably used an outdated method.

Obviously your mileage may vary but that is the experience I've had so far. Don't be so quick to discount his services. It's all in how you present it to dodmerb.
 
I completely agree with Sneak. I've worked with Dr. Merchant and DoDMERB consultants in the past for my DoDMERB initial examination and in getting a waiver for a disqualifying condition that I was mistakenly diagnosed with as a result of an error on the part of the nurse administering my physical. I doubt you will find anyone more knowledgeable than him on military medical matters. Typically, I would advise others to be wary of consultants and "snake oil salesmen" and simply trust the process, but I do feel I have to put in my two cents about the company. As the former director of DoDMERB, he really knows his stuff and is a former USMC Aviator turned flight surgeon and Navy Captain. Not only that, but he was also the director of DoDMERB when many of the current standards were written and understands many of the complications that come with the process.
 
As a financial planner, I see a lot of "college consultants" that vary greatly in degrees of competence.

DoDMERB is fraught with problems that are in many cases beyond the candidate's control. Sometimes, an overzealous physician puts "too much" on the chart. Other times a parent uses the "wrong" term for an allergy on the form.

Considering the potential pitfalls of the process, I think that for someone navigating through DoDMERB, Dr. Merchant's service is pretty darn good. Although my DS2 did not need it, I wish he were around back 12 years ago, when my DS #1 was DQ'd and denied a waiver.

Granted, another military doc could provide this guidance on nomenclature and verbiage locally, but many of us don't have such contacts. I think Dr. Merchant is a pretty good resource.
 
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