Inflammatory Bowel and USAFA possibilities

B

betaphi

New Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2016
Messages
8
Have a DD who is a plebe at USNA, loving it there. MidSib is in 7th grade, and watching her example he is thinking about USAFA (he is already taking flight lessons, plans to solo on his 16th birthday...)

However, he recently was diagnosed with IBD. Seems a very mild case, being treated with some anti-inflammatory drugs right now. Assuming it is treated successfully, and subsides without recurrence, how hard will DoDMERB/waiver be for him?

DD had a couple early childhood bronchitis episodes, doc tagged her with asthma to get inhaler scrip easily covered - though it was all age 14 or earlier, she had to get remedial including methacholine challenge. Given that, wondering if DS should realistically understand the DoDMERB clearance (or waiver) is a long shot...

Anyone out there gone through this? Any applicants with minor IBD history have success with either DoDMERB or a waiver from USAFA?
 
I am no expert, and not DoDMERB. But, I have bad news. Based on March 2014 document that expired April 2015 for the Army, subject Non-Waiverable Medical Conditions. https://www.jmu.edu/rotc/prospective-cadets/Non-waiverable medical conditions.pdfIt lists "p. Inflammatory bowel disease. I.e. Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, eosinophilic esophagitis" as a non-waiverable condition.

This is an Army document, and AF may be different, but probably not. Also, I don't know if you can have inflammatory bowel disease and it not be Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis or eosinophilic esophagitis. And I also do not know if they are using "i.e." as meaning only those 3 diagnosis for IBD.

This may be the case where you want expert assistance. DoDMERB Consultants may be able to give you a better answer http://www.dodmerbconsultants.com/
 
One of my closest friends was diagnosed with Crohn's while a Mid and was not commissioned. Another buddy was diagnosed while on active duty. It was at the end of his enlistment so they didn't med board him, but he was ineligible to re-enlist.

With all that being said, I think the issue will be if he continues to have issues (even mild) and remains on drugs. I am no expert, but my guess is as long as he has those two things, it wouldn't happen. If it subsides and he no longer needs meds, I think he has a better shot. I would keep very detailed medical records. Also, if he is being diagnosed by a pediatrician I would go see a specialist in this area. They could confirm or deny that DS in fact has IBD. If they so no, that is great. Get is well documented and DoDMERB has become that much easier. All these types of conditions are extremely tricky and can last a lifetime. If they confirm he has it, then you will be in better hands for treatment. Good luck.
 
NavyHoops said:
One of my closest friends was diagnosed with Crohn's while a Mid and was not commissioned. Another buddy was diagnosed while on active duty. It was at the end of his enlistment so they didn't med board him, but he was ineligible to re-enlist.

With all that being said, I think the issue will be if he continues to have issues (even mild) and remains on drugs. I am no expert, but my guess is as long as he has those two things, it wouldn't happen. If it subsides and he no longer needs meds, I think he has a better shot. I would keep very detailed medical records. Also, if he is being diagnosed by a pediatrician I would go see a specialist in this area. They could confirm or deny that DS in fact has IBD. If they so no, that is great. Get is well documented and DoDMERB has become that much easier. All these types of conditions are extremely tricky and can last a lifetime. If they confirm he has it, then you will be in better hands for treatment. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Appreciate the reply and advice. He is being seen by a GI specialist at Duke, it is a confirmed case of mild colitis. Not Crohn's, not ulcerative, but confirmed. I was already planning precisely what you suggest re: intense tracking and documentation, having been down the DoDMERB path once before. Sound advice for sure! And I am assuming it would be an uphill battle, but hoping there is someone who reads this who has gone down this path recently who might shed some light on current possibilities.

However, as 5Day points out, if it's as recent as 2015 non-waiverable for USMA, I would be surprised to learn that USAFA was different, or that it had changed in just the last year...sigh. It's not the easy path. As we say at USNA, N*ot College...
 
A diagnosis of Asthma and use of an inhaler is not the easiest of waivers to get. You helped your DD through that process. Let you DS know that IBD will be an issue. Encourage him to be the best candidate the SA has seen so the "have" to grant him a waiver. And of course have a solid back-up plan.

He has been to Duke, or at least their medical center. Great school and beautiful campus. Shure would make for a solid backup plan.
 
I am guessing all the SAs are non-waiverable on this. It is non-commissionable for USNA and a reason to Med Board in the USN/USMC. I would guess with the official diagnosis and medication it is an uphill battle while pushing a boulder. Then again with age on his side, you never know where things may go. If he becomes symptom free without medication for several years then I would guess he has a better shot.
 
Is your child under age 13? If so, it need not be reported (as I recall...). However, and you know this, ALL medical conditions will be evaluated after 13, and yes, IBD is non-waiverable.

Don't lose hope; these things sometimes change, and he's pretty young.
 
fencersmother said:
Is your child under age 13? If so, it need not be reported (as I recall...). However, and you know this, ALL medical conditions will be evaluated after 13, and yes, IBD is non-waiverable.

Don't lose hope; these things sometimes change, and he's pretty young.
Click to expand...
I thought the Age 13 restriction was particular to the asthma codes...either way, he obviously has no chance at a waiver if he has recurrence, and at the same time the catch-all questions will compel him to report the diagnosis, as it is considered a chronic condition that can be dormant for extended periods.

I think NavyHoops says it well, and will certainly have backup options as per 5Day's comments. He's bullheaded, so no fear he gets discouraged in knowing the odds - and I do think he needs to understand the likelihood going in.

Thanks for all these comments - and always interested in more experience and thoughts from others. Will keep you posted over the next few years, assuming he continues toward applying.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top