Hello. I am new to the forums except I seem to be having a very common problem. I was disqualified for having congenital scoliosis. Now I understand this is a very serious condition from which I have been treated for since I was an infant, however, it has never dissabled me in any way. I work on the truck team at Kohl's Department Store frequently lifting 100 lbs boxes. I am a volunteer fireman for the city of Gibraltar which requires me to climb a 75' ladder as well as wear the required equipment which includes full bunker gear and an SCBA (with steel tanks, I wish we had carbon) on my back. I lift weights and I can easily deadlift my own body weight. I also have letters from my store manager and the fire chief stating that my condition has never interfered with any of the expected tasks.
Technically I believe I fall well below the qualifications for a spinal deformity which is 30 degrees thoracic. Most of my scoliosis is in my thoracic vertebrae and my spine only has an 18 degree curvature. In my lumbar column I have almost no curvature. The only curvature resides in my L4 and L5 and its only a 6 degree curve. Army qualification standards state that anything up to 20 degrees is qualifiable.
My medical records which were sent to DODMERB stated that this condition has never interfered my my athletic abilities in any way. I have never worn a brace. I have never had surgery. My orthopedic doctor stated that my condition was purely cosmetic.
Now I can not possibly understand what goes into a DODMERB medical review and I am sure that it is a lot more complicated than what I think it is. It seems to me, however, that I was DQ'ed solely on the fact that I have scoliosis and not the severity of my condition or how it affects me in day to day life. I do not mean to sound condescending to anyone who happens to read this. My intentions are as professional as I can make them. I have already lost my room mate over this situation and we have 4 weeks until school starts up. I had my exam the 12th of June so I have been at this for a while.
Mainly what I would like to know is how can I make it clear to whom ever is going to be reviewing my records for waiver that this condition has never affected my ability to perform any task that I must perform as a fireman or any task I have ever been asked to complete? What would be the quickest way to go about this? Has anyone had a similar experience? And, can anyone read this do anything to help me directly?
Again, I do not mean to come to these forums and demand answers as to why I have been DQ'ed. I'm simply another frustrated ROTC applicant who has been disqualified for conditions they are not affected by. Thanks for your time for anyone who reads this. I would be happy to supply any additional info on my condition of status.
-Signed, AROTC Applicant
Technically I believe I fall well below the qualifications for a spinal deformity which is 30 degrees thoracic. Most of my scoliosis is in my thoracic vertebrae and my spine only has an 18 degree curvature. In my lumbar column I have almost no curvature. The only curvature resides in my L4 and L5 and its only a 6 degree curve. Army qualification standards state that anything up to 20 degrees is qualifiable.
My medical records which were sent to DODMERB stated that this condition has never interfered my my athletic abilities in any way. I have never worn a brace. I have never had surgery. My orthopedic doctor stated that my condition was purely cosmetic.
Now I can not possibly understand what goes into a DODMERB medical review and I am sure that it is a lot more complicated than what I think it is. It seems to me, however, that I was DQ'ed solely on the fact that I have scoliosis and not the severity of my condition or how it affects me in day to day life. I do not mean to sound condescending to anyone who happens to read this. My intentions are as professional as I can make them. I have already lost my room mate over this situation and we have 4 weeks until school starts up. I had my exam the 12th of June so I have been at this for a while.
Mainly what I would like to know is how can I make it clear to whom ever is going to be reviewing my records for waiver that this condition has never affected my ability to perform any task that I must perform as a fireman or any task I have ever been asked to complete? What would be the quickest way to go about this? Has anyone had a similar experience? And, can anyone read this do anything to help me directly?
Again, I do not mean to come to these forums and demand answers as to why I have been DQ'ed. I'm simply another frustrated ROTC applicant who has been disqualified for conditions they are not affected by. Thanks for your time for anyone who reads this. I would be happy to supply any additional info on my condition of status.
-Signed, AROTC Applicant