HS class of 2025 (incoming Junior) and potential asthma DQ prep

LastOne

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I have read many medical threads on here, but looking for recommendations for timing.
Long story short, my son had viral induced asthma from age 3-7ish. Never had any wheezing when not sick. For a couple of years after that I would have his inhaler refilled at his well visit. He took a puff or two if he was really sick maybe once or twice a year. In 7th grade he joined cross country and thought that the typical, out of shape windedness was asthma (he was not wheezy, just out not conditioned) and told the doctor, who put in his chart that he has exercise induced asthma. I continued to pick up an inhaler refill once a year at his well visit. This was done out of habit by a worry wart mom who remembered my sick baby! Most of the time we mis-placed it and it never got used. Then in 8th grade (covid year) he was a couch potato again. 9th grade he started an intense tennis lesson regime, and again, while getting into shape, thought he needed his inhaler after sprints. Fast forward and he is playing tennis multiple times a week, running a 6:30 mile, and told me he realized that he was just really out of shape.
We know that he will need some testing done to verify that he does not have asthma. It is my understanding that he will be able to start the application Spring of next year. Should we go ahead and schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist to get whatever asthma tests there are done? He has never had any testing. Would we submit those when he has his medical examination? I assume when they take the health history, there is a box to check asking if you have ever been diagnosed with asthma. What would he write by way of explanation? That he had viral asthma from age 3-7? He is not currently on any meds. There may be an open prescription for albuterol.
 
There are a lot of similar situations in this group you will find. Yes, there is a question about Asthma and another question about inhaler use on the medical form. The things I know you should do 1. begin requesting copies of his medical records through the records departments of his current or previous doctors. 2. figure out when the last time he filled his inhaler Rx was and when the last time he used it was. 3. Let his doctor know he is not using his inhaler, has not used since said date and ask them to remove it from his active medication list. He's going to have to say he was told by his primary care physician he had viral asthma age 3-7, but he can say he never had formal testing for asthma or saw a pulmonologist. He will probably have to explain the other situations of when he used the inhaler.
You could take him to a pulmonologist on your own for an evaluation and testing, but it still seems he may receive a DQ and have to go through the waiver process since he's had possible diagnosis of asthma and inhaler use after age 13. It might be worth it for you and your son to have this evaluation ahead of time so he knows his medical situation, but I wouldn't count on that clearing him from a DQ. The Waiver Authority may want different things, or their own consults/tests to prove he's fit for Military Service and each Branch can ask for different things. I could be wrong, but it's something to be aware of.
Sometimes waivers are more likely, other times they are no, depending on the needs of the Branch and it can be Branch specific, where one will grant and another won't.
4. He should have a B and even C plan just in case the A plan doesn't work out.
5. Get started with the DodMerb process as soon as they will allow him to because It can take several months to get through it all.
Hope that helps some!
 
This is similar to my DS with a pediatrician marking exercise asthma after a coughing fit one race.

As you probably know, it is likely going to be a dq. Its then up to each academy to request waiver.

I see the dq itself as giving up a first inning run. If nothing else happens, you lose. But, lots of reason for hope and time to comeback.
 
There are a lot of similar situations in this group you will find. Yes, there is a question about Asthma and another question about inhaler use on the medical form. The things I know you should do 1. begin requesting copies of his medical records through the records departments of his current or previous doctors. 2. figure out when the last time he filled his inhaler Rx was and when the last time he used it was. 3. Let his doctor know he is not using his inhaler, has not used since said date and ask them to remove it from his active medication list. He's going to have to say he was told by his primary care physician he had viral asthma age 3-7, but he can say he never had formal testing for asthma or saw a pulmonologist. He will probably have to explain the other situations of when he used the inhaler.
You could take him to a pulmonologist on your own for an evaluation and testing, but it still seems he may receive a DQ and have to go through the waiver process since he's had possible diagnosis of asthma and inhaler use after age 13. It might be worth it for you and your son to have this evaluation ahead of time so he knows his medical situation, but I wouldn't count on that clearing him from a DQ. The Waiver Authority may want different things, or their own consults/tests to prove he's fit for Military Service and each Branch can ask for different things. I could be wrong, but it's something to be aware of.
Sometimes waivers are more likely, other times they are no, depending on the needs of the Branch and it can be Branch specific, where one will grant and another won't.
4. He should have a B and even C plan just in case the A plan doesn't work out.
5. Get started with the DodMerb process as soon as they will allow him to because It can take several months to get through it all.
Hope that helps some!
A little off topic, but I know your DS had a waiver be approved for a similar situation. Does ROTC have a tendency to approve more waivers than SA’s? Or does one branch approve more than the other?
 
A little off topic, but I know your DS had a waiver be approved for a similar situation. Does ROTC have a tendency to approve more waivers than SA’s? Or does one branch approve more than the other?
I have heard, so this is only based on what I've read here, and been told by a few others that AROTC is the most generous with waivers. I believe this is because Army has the greatest need right now. I have also heard that SA can be stricter with granting waivers, so I do believe ROTC has a tendency to approve more waivers. The general rule is that granting of waivers can change from year to year based on the needs of the branch and where they are with their numbers and needs. You are welcome to message me anytime if you have more specific questions.
 
I have heard, so this is only based on what I've read here, and been told by a few others that AROTC is the most generous with waivers. I believe this is because Army has the greatest need right now. I have also heard that SA can be stricter with granting waivers, so I do believe ROTC has a tendency to approve more waivers. The general rule is that granting of waivers can change from year to year based on the needs of the branch and where they are with their numbers and needs. You are welcome to message me anytime if you have more specific questions.
One more thing, if I get a solid PFT and MCCT result should that overrule the question of asthma and grant me a waiver?
 
One more thing, if I get a solid PFT and MCCT result should that overrule the question of asthma and grant me a waiver?
They only asked for the PFT with bronchodilator challenge for my son along with the Pulmonary Consult, not the MCCT. I would wait and see what they ask for and then follow through with that. I can't really say what all is factored in to granting the waiver or not, but the better your results are the better your chances I assume. I would not suggest soliciting extra testing on your own. Keep an eye on your portal for further instructions from them!
 
I have made an appointment with his pediatrician to discuss and document that he has no active medication, that the last request was never filled, and go from there. Fingers crossed. He was planning to apply to USNA, and NROTC. His goal is to be a Navy pilot. He is currently in Air Force JROTC, but didn't want to apply to the Air Force Academy, has his heart set on Navy, maybe he should reconsider and apply for both.
 
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