Left Varicocele

A

aetosArmy

Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2023
Messages
120
Good day,
I am an AROTC scholarship winner going through the DoDMERB process. I recently filled out my medical history survey, and came to the reproductive section and marked "varicocele" as "no", having no idea what it was. I just today realized that I do in fact have a varicocele on my left testicle, after doing research. I had noticed the larger veins since a few years ago, but had never known it was a medical condition. However, today I reached out to the DoDMERB person assigned to me and asked to update my medical information concerning a previously unknown condition.
To give an idea of the situation:
1. left testicle only
2. doesn't cause me any problems
3. less than an inch at widest
I saw rules regarding this in DoDMERB regulation, but I'm not sure I understand which of them applies to me. Specifically, what does it mean by "reducible"?
Will I be disqualified? Is a waiver likely? If I did get a waiver, would it involve undergoing surgery to remove the veins?

I realize that Mr. Larry Mullen is off the forum for a while, which is why I'm asking publicly. If you do not have any experience with this topic, I would appreciate it if you could connect me with someone who does.
Thank you.
 
What research? Do you mean that you researched your medical files, and discovered this is a diagnosed condition that you have?

Or, do you mean you researched on the internet, and self diagnosed? Bc if done by you, who is not a medical professional, how do you know you are accurate?

And no, most likely a military program application won’t provide a surgery to enable a waiver. The process, at this stage of your game, involves a DQ and potential waiver for the condition. Or not. Every year there are award winners who are not waived. And ultimately not scholarshiped.

*I’m not a DR, no idea about your condition*

BTW, next time, and to future readers, before attesting to something positively or negatively, make sure you understand what you are signing your name to. IOW, confirm your understanding PRIOR to signing your name and submitting. Not afterwards. An important life skill.

Good luck to you!!
 
Should not be a big issue if the size is what you are describing is accurate. First time I ever heard of it was back in 1985 when I first enlisted and they said I had it also. 2 kids and lots of time down the road and it never was ever a issue for me. Knew a guy who developed an anal fissure in Somalia and dang that was a painful thing to develop!
 
As an update, I asked a DoDMERB agent to update my file to include the varicocele, but he said that they can not work with my file until I have completed the physical. It looks like I may not be able to update my file until after September.


justdoit19 said:
What research? Do you mean that you researched your medical files, and discovered this is a diagnosed condition that you have?

Or, do you mean you researched on the internet, and self diagnosed? Bc if done by you, who is not a medical professional, how do you know you are accurate?

And no, most likely a military program application won’t provide a surgery to enable a waiver. The process, at this stage of your game, involves a DQ and potential waiver for the condition. Or not. Every year there are award winners who are not waived. And ultimately not scholarshiped.

*I’m not a DR, no idea about your condition*

BTW, next time, and to future readers, before attesting to something positively or negatively, make sure you understand what you are signing your name to. IOW, confirm your understanding PRIOR to signing your name and submitting. Not afterwards. An important life skill.

Good luck to you!!
Click to expand...
I self-diagnosed (it's quite obvious to me), but I will now do a check-up for it to make completely sure.
And to clarify, I wasn't suggesting that the military would provide a surgery to remove it, I was wondering if I could do a surgery to remove it now so that it won't even be an issue by the time I do my physical exam(mid-September). As far as I know, there is no DQ for a previous varicocele.
And yes Sir, I should have made completely sure that I understood all of the questions I was being on the medical history survey before I answered them. Lesson learned.
*****
AA787DRIVER said:
Should not be a big issue if the size is what you are describing is accurate. First time I ever heard of it was back in 1985 when I first enlisted and they said I had it also. 2 kids and lots of time down the road and it never was ever a issue for me. Knew a guy who developed an anal fissure in Somalia and dang that was a painful thing to develop!
Click to expand...
Sir,
Thank you for the experience and reassurance. I hope this will not be an issue for me either.
 
Know somebody in the same boat. They got it fixed about a year ago (through minor surgery) and it was not an issue.
 
No sense in reporting it until you have an official diagnosis IMO. It may not be what it seems-- and if it's normal/benign (either generally speaking or in terms of DoDMERB) and you report it, it'd be pretty unfortunate to have to undo that.
 
LoonWatch2027 said:
Know somebody in the same boat. They got it fixed about a year ago (through minor surgery) and it was not an issue.
Click to expand...
Someone in the military or a civilian?
Cville24 said:
No sense in reporting it until you have an official diagnosis IMO. It may not be what it seems-- and if it's normal/benign (either generally speaking or in terms of DoDMERB) and you report it, it'd be pretty unfortunate to have to undo that.
Click to expand...
Makes sense. I will get it checked at the hospital just to make sure I have the facts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top