Medical DQ & Waiver Declined

M

mbp1972

New Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2023
Messages
8
Hi Everyone and @MullenLE


I’d like to hear your thoughtful advice about my case from all of you

Recently my West Point regional commander called me to say that my medical waiver was requested in early December but now it has declined. I saw a letter, dated as of yesterday from my candidate portal, which states that “After extensive evaluation by our military medical authorities, I regret to inform you that your medical disqualification is final for the following conditions: History of congenital or acquired anomalies of the central nervous system or meningocele. Accordingly, your conditional offer of admission has been withdrawn.”


[History of West Point Application Process]
  • Received a Letter of Assurance from West Point in July 2022
  • Conducted Medical Exam in early of Aug 2022
  • DoDMerb decided that I do not meet the DoD medical standards in late of Aug 2022, requested additional medical Information
  • Submitted AMI’s including two doctors’ medical notes to DoDMerb twice in late of Sep 2022and in early of Oct 2022 while their website has been shut down
  • Medical Waiver has requested by West Point in early of Dec 2022
  • Got a nomination from Congressman in middle of Dec 2022
  • Informed my medical disqualification is final by West Point in early of Jan 2023

[My Medical Background]

  • I underwent dysraphism repair in Jan 2011 for lipomeningomyelocele and tethered cord syndrome when I was 6 years old
  • The last time I visited to see my neurosurgery doctor, who did surgery, to have follow-up in Aug 2019, I was fully cleared (A Doctor’s note submitted to DoDMerb as the first AMI)
  • I visited to see another neurosurgery doctor, who has followed the check-up for past several years, in Sep 2022. I was fully cleared for all activities including military services. He mentioned there is no evidence of recurrence of a tethered spinal cord in his note (A Doctor’s note submitted to DoDMerb as the second AMI)
  • I have been doing year-round club swimming for past 10 years and been on varsity level for swimming, football and track at my high school without any pains or issues. I also successfully completed CFA and SLE in last Summer 2022

Even though I have the above my medical history and my doctors’ notes, West Point informed me of medical disqualification because they guess I may have recurrence of a tethered spinal cord in future.

I would like to start to appeal against the decision of medical disqualification.
Could you please advise me how to prepare for the appeal process? What kinds of documents or evidence will be helpful to submit the appeal?

I will highly appreciate it if you could help me to get a positive resolution on this case
 
I have no advice to offer, but I just want to wish you well. It sounds like you have done everything you can up to this point. I am sure you are heartbroken and frustrated. I really hope that someone can offer you some hope towards a favorable outcome for WP, but if that door is firmly shut, I wish you the absolute best on all the many great paths and doors that will open up for you.
 
Tough, tough situation you’re in. Sorry.



Don’t know what appeal process there is and if you don’t have new info, it probably doesn’t matter.



Advocate for yourself – and get as much other info, appointments, recommendations from any doctors, etc…. This all takes time which puts you at a severe disadvantage for the class of 2027, especially since they’ve already denied the waiver.



Start thinking about possible plan B:

  • College for next fall --- and consider re-applying in next cycle
  • Enroll in ROTC, any ROTC…Navy/Army/Air Force
  • In the meantime, work on building up your medical case
  • If you do well at college – in ROTC, regular course work, physical aspect, etc, this will help when you re-apply.
  • 2nd time applying also shows SA’s your commitment about pursuing an appointment and future military service.
  • Apply for ROTC scholarships too – I think you can do ROTC at least for the first year and second without fear of being medically DQ’d.
  • Who knows, a ROTC path to commission may be the best choice for you!


Good Luck - Don’t give up the ship!
 
NavyHopefulMom2027 said:
I have no advice to offer, but I just want to wish you well. It sounds like you have done everything you can up to this point. I am sure you are heartbroken and frustrated. I really hope that someone can offer you some hope towards a favorable outcome for WP, but if that door is firmly shut, I wish you the absolute best on all the many great paths and doors that will open up for you.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your best wish for me
 
MP83 said:
Tough, tough situation you’re in. Sorry.



Don’t know what appeal process there is and if you don’t have new info, it probably doesn’t matter.



Advocate for yourself – and get as much other info, appointments, recommendations from any doctors, etc…. This all takes time which puts you at a severe disadvantage for the class of 2027, especially since they’ve already denied the waiver.



Start thinking about possible plan B:

  • College for next fall --- and consider re-applying in next cycle
  • Enroll in ROTC, any ROTC…Navy/Army/Air Force
  • In the meantime, work on building up your medical case
  • If you do well at college – in ROTC, regular course work, physical aspect, etc, this will help when you re-apply.
  • 2nd time applying also shows SA’s your commitment about pursuing an appointment and future military service.
  • Apply for ROTC scholarships too – I think you can do ROTC at least for the first year and second without fear of being medically DQ’d.
  • Who knows, a ROTC path to commission may be the best choice for you!


Good Luck - Don’t give up the ship!
Click to expand...
Thanks for your advice
 
mbp1972 said:
  • The last time I visited to see my neurosurgery doctor, who did surgery, to have follow-up in Aug 2019, I was fully cleared (A Doctor’s note submitted to DoDMerb as the first AMI)
  • I visited to see another neurosurgery doctor, who has followed the check-up for past several years, in Sep 2022. I was fully cleared for all activities including military services. He mentioned there is no evidence of recurrence of a tethered spinal cord in his note (A Doctor’s note submitted to DoDMerb as the second AMI)
  • I have been doing year-round club swimming for past 10 years and been on varsity level for swimming, football and track at my high school without any pains or issues. I also successfully completed CFA and SLE in last Summer 2022

Even though I have the above my medical history and my doctors’ notes, West Point informed me of medical disqualification because they guess I may have recurrence of a tethered spinal cord in future.
Click to expand...


Good luck to you. One thing to be clear about, is that your civilian doctors don’t have final say as to your DQ, or waiver, or not. IOW, they don’t determine military fitness, or not. They can provide supporting material, but don’t determine the final outcome.
 
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All SAs and ROTC branches are different regarding waiver criteria and needs of their particular service. One of my sons was concerned he would not receive his medical waiver and also quickly applied to USMMA as a backup. As you may know, you can commission into active duty of ANY service upon graduation from USMMA (assuming medical is granted for commissioning- which is different than SA entrance.) USMMA uses Naval ROTC as it’s waiver source since midshipmen are Naval Reserve while attending. Nominations for USMMA can be obtained from ANY congressman in your state - not just your district - and, depending on your state, many noms. go unused. Last year USMMA extended their application period through Feb. i don’t know about this year and I don’t know your military interests. But, it is a service academy and I know many that want to commission from there rather than West Point / Naval Academy because they feel some slots (like flight) are easier to get graduating from there. This is just a “hell mary” path that might or might not interest you and might not work with limited time remaining this year.

West Point does have some of the strictest waiver standards of the SAs and even if medical recommends a”grant” of a waiver it would still come back to an admissions committee of faculty for final approval. Don’t give up your fight but I believe the chances might be slim. Good luck and try for several other options - always better to have too many than not enough.
 
MarTac said:
All SAs and ROTC branches are different regarding waiver criteria and needs of their particular service. One of my sons was concerned he would not receive his medical waiver and also quickly applied to USMMA as a backup. As you may know, you can commission into active duty of ANY service upon graduation from USMMA (assuming medical is granted for commissioning- which is different than SA entrance.) USMMA uses Naval ROTC as it’s waiver source since midshipmen are Naval Reserve while attending. Nominations for USMMA can be obtained from ANY congressman in your state - not just your district - and, depending on your state, many noms. go unused. Last year USMMA extended their application period through Feb. i don’t know about this year and I don’t know your military interests. But, it is a service academy and I know many that want to commission from there rather than West Point / Naval Academy because they feel some slots (like flight) are easier to get graduating from there. This is just a “hell mary” path that might or might not interest you and might not work with limited time remaining this year.

West Point does have some of the strictest waiver standards of the SAs and even if medical recommends a”grant” of a waiver it would still come back to an admissions committee of faculty for final approval. Don’t give up your fight but I believe the chances might be slim. Good luck and try for several other options - always better to have too many than not enough.
Click to expand...
Do you know how Marine Option NROTC does waivers and what their criteria is? DS has a 4 year scholarship from the early board but I am sweating his eye exam.
 
mbp1972 said:
Hi Everyone and @MullenLE


I’d like to hear your thoughtful advice about my case from all of you

Recently my West Point regional commander called me to say that my medical waiver was requested in early December but now it has declined. I saw a letter, dated as of yesterday from my candidate portal, which states that “After extensive evaluation by our military medical authorities, I regret to inform you that your medical disqualification is final for the following conditions: History of congenital or acquired anomalies of the central nervous system or meningocele. Accordingly, your conditional offer of admission has been withdrawn.”


[History of West Point Application Process]
  • Received a Letter of Assurance from West Point in July 2022
  • Conducted Medical Exam in early of Aug 2022
  • DoDMerb decided that I do not meet the DoD medical standards in late of Aug 2022, requested additional medical Information
  • Submitted AMI’s including two doctors’ medical notes to DoDMerb twice in late of Sep 2022and in early of Oct 2022 while their website has been shut down
  • Medical Waiver has requested by West Point in early of Dec 2022
  • Got a nomination from Congressman in middle of Dec 2022
  • Informed my medical disqualification is final by West Point in early of Jan 2023

[My Medical Background]

  • I underwent dysraphism repair in Jan 2011 for lipomeningomyelocele and tethered cord syndrome when I was 6 years old
  • The last time I visited to see my neurosurgery doctor, who did surgery, to have follow-up in Aug 2019, I was fully cleared (A Doctor’s note submitted to DoDMerb as the first AMI)
  • I visited to see another neurosurgery doctor, who has followed the check-up for past several years, in Sep 2022. I was fully cleared for all activities including military services. He mentioned there is no evidence of recurrence of a tethered spinal cord in his note (A Doctor’s note submitted to DoDMerb as the second AMI)
  • I have been doing year-round club swimming for past 10 years and been on varsity level for swimming, football and track at my high school without any pains or issues. I also successfully completed CFA and SLE in last Summer 2022

Even though I have the above my medical history and my doctors’ notes, West Point informed me of medical disqualification because they guess I may have recurrence of a tethered spinal cord in future.

I would like to start to appeal against the decision of medical disqualification.
Could you please advise me how to prepare for the appeal process? What kinds of documents or evidence will be helpful to submit the appeal?

I will highly appreciate it if you could help me to get a positive resolution on this case
Click to expand...
If you provided AMI and was still rejected, I have yet to see an appeal work. What usually happens is they look deeper into the DoDi 6130.03 and come back with a newer code to "pile on the list" as if the medical authority "took offense" to questioning their ruling. I have seen many post here about you can appeal, but almost never seen the appeal work. Not trying to crush your dreams, just offering a blunt, fact-based response.

DoDMERB is just working the process to reject you and prevent candidates from here in few years; https://www.pebforum.com/whats-new/posts/4579471/ and a 50+ year payout of $3M in today's dollars.

Try enlisting in the Guard or Reserve with an enlisted waiver then jump to a SMP program to save yourself the heartache. Lots of waivers approved at the Academy Commander level for minor issues, but the message today is only 23% of today's youth are fit to serve to posture as to why there is a recruiting crisis (officer or enlisted). If you're a varsity athlete (as you say) and your hudl highlights clearly show you grinding over other teams, too bad, DoDMERB just cogs up the machine to prevent future disability claims. Call your RA recruiter, tell them you want to go to MEPS ASAP and start the clock now. Or roll the dice on an appeal and it will grind on another 60 days and all of a sudden, it's April and you are told NO, we discovered more disqualification codes.

If you get in and land a commission, other than a shiny ring that will open doors few years down the road, you will find once you land in a unit, if you are a good leader, that ring don't mean squat once you're leading troops as a junior officer.
 
mbp1972 said:
Hi Everyone and @MullenLE


I’d like to hear your thoughtful advice about my case from all of you

Recently my West Point regional commander called me to say that my medical waiver was requested in early December but now it has declined. I saw a letter, dated as of yesterday from my candidate portal, which states that “After extensive evaluation by our military medical authorities, I regret to inform you that your medical disqualification is final for the following conditions: History of congenital or acquired anomalies of the central nervous system or meningocele. Accordingly, your conditional offer of admission has been withdrawn.”


[History of West Point Application Process]
  • Received a Letter of Assurance from West Point in July 2022
  • Conducted Medical Exam in early of Aug 2022
  • DoDMerb decided that I do not meet the DoD medical standards in late of Aug 2022, requested additional medical Information
  • Submitted AMI’s including two doctors’ medical notes to DoDMerb twice in late of Sep 2022and in early of Oct 2022 while their website has been shut down
  • Medical Waiver has requested by West Point in early of Dec 2022
  • Got a nomination from Congressman in middle of Dec 2022
  • Informed my medical disqualification is final by West Point in early of Jan 2023

[My Medical Background]

  • I underwent dysraphism repair in Jan 2011 for lipomeningomyelocele and tethered cord syndrome when I was 6 years old
  • The last time I visited to see my neurosurgery doctor, who did surgery, to have follow-up in Aug 2019, I was fully cleared (A Doctor’s note submitted to DoDMerb as the first AMI)
  • I visited to see another neurosurgery doctor, who has followed the check-up for past several years, in Sep 2022. I was fully cleared for all activities including military services. He mentioned there is no evidence of recurrence of a tethered spinal cord in his note (A Doctor’s note submitted to DoDMerb as the second AMI)
  • I have been doing year-round club swimming for past 10 years and been on varsity level for swimming, football and track at my high school without any pains or issues. I also successfully completed CFA and SLE in last Summer 2022

Even though I have the above my medical history and my doctors’ notes, West Point informed me of medical disqualification because they guess I may have recurrence of a tethered spinal cord in future.

I would like to start to appeal against the decision of medical disqualification.
Could you please advise me how to prepare for the appeal process? What kinds of documents or evidence will be helpful to submit the appeal?

I will highly appreciate it if you could help me to get a positive resolution on this case
Click to expand...
Hi, sorry to hear of your situation. As for an appeal of the waiver denial, "normally' included with the letter specifying the reasons for the denial are the steps and information you need to appeal. Like others have said, generally without "new" medical information, any appeal is troublesome. It's like any management decision, just saying "I don't think you understand" is not going to cut it. If in doubt, contact your RC and ask them to help by directing or guiding you with whatever is necessary. Appeals can and are successful, but the academy and the service needs to know beyond a "possible" that you are going be able to serve not only thru the academy, but your ADSO as well.

As @Ready42025 stated, disabilities in the military cause many issues, staffing, readiness, and performance to name a few, and it is DoDMERB and MEPS who are tasked with screening candidates to insure that they don't bring "pre-existing" conditions into play in their careers. I have seen members get injured two weeks into boot camp or CBT and discharged on medicals. They then get pay, benefits, and treatment of those conditions for the rest of their lives, so YES, money does come into play, but readiness and ability to defend this country are paramount, and back issues are "Red Herrings" a lot of times as something that is dormant for a few years comes back with a vengeance when rucking 10 miles with 70 pounds of gear, or jumping out of a helicopter or plane and landing in a bad spot can cause an end to a career.

What I have seen here as a parent, and during my service time is that MEPS and DoDMERB work to try and get as many applicants as possible, thru medical and into the service. They don't usually, "TRY" to wash out applicants, but they do absolutely have to try and mitigate pre-existing injuries from causing problems while the member is serving.
 
Unfortunately, Mr. Mullen would probably tell you that the waiver IS the appeal. That appeal was denied. There really is no way to appeal the appeal from my understanding. The only thing you can do is submit more information, but it seems like you already submitted documentation from specialists and it was still denied. I'm not sure what other recourse you have that could be successful other than pursuing another avenue to commission.
 
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