Medical Waiver process

K

Klaw

New Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2021
Messages
9
Hi all!
My son is a junior in HS and we have begun the preliminary application process for USNA. Freshman year of HS wrestling, he was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma and followed through with the medication protocol issued by his doctor for the season. Sophomore year, he did not use any the medication, broke his school's record for most wins as a sophomore and placed 6th in the state championship. He also ran cross country that year, unmedicated, and placed first for his team with a 6 minute mile. Of course, his medical record does not reflect that he hasn't been using the medication and we understand that we will need to take extra steps to clear this. My questions are:
1. How does this process work as far as being appointed? Would he be appointed (if that were to happen) and then this would be taken up with DODMERB and seeking a waiver? or would this keep him from being appointed in the first place?
2. I spoke with his doctor who said he can go on and send him to a pulmonologist now to have the pulmonary function test completed (he's assuming he will pass) and have that on his medical record now. Is that wise to do?
Thanks so much for any and all help! I'm sure you all have been asked everything a hundred times over already, so to taking the time to manage these threads is truly commendable and so much appreciated!
 
You are not appointed unless you are qualified academically, medically, and physically.

If you need a waiver for medical, the SA can review the case and grant a waiver for some conditions.

DodMERB doesn’t grant waivers.

@MullenLE can help with this.
 
Also, if you search "asthma" in the DoDMERB forum (preferable) or this forum, you will find a lot of threads on this very subject. Good luck to your DS, he sounds like a great kid!
 
OK. Thank you! Still trying to figure this all out...it's all so new to us! So, it sounds like there will be an opportunity to request a review for medical waiver with the SA before the decision for appointment is completed... is that correct?
 
03USMC13 said:
Also, if you search "asthma" in the DoDMERB forum (preferable) or this forum, you will find a lot of threads on this very subject. Good luck to your DS, he sounds like a great kid!
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
Klaw said:
OK. Thank you! Still trying to figure this all out...it's all so new to us! So, it sounds like there will be an opportunity to request a review for medical waiver with the SA before the decision for appointment is completed... is that correct?
Click to expand...
You don’t request it. If the academy deems you otherwise competitive but you have been medically disqualified, they will begin the process to seek a waiver for you.
 
Klaw said:
OK. Thank you! Still trying to figure this all out...it's all so new to us! So, it sounds like there will be an opportunity to request a review for medical waiver with the SA before the decision for appointment is completed... is that correct?
Click to expand...
The applicant gets a physical and fills out forms, uploads information, etc. and then DoDMERB performs a review. DoDMERB may or may not ask for additional information. Then, DoDMERB renders a decision regarding the medical qualification of the candidate.

Then the ball goes into the SA's court, so to speak. If there is a DQ, each SA will respectively decide whether or not to seek a waiver from its medical professionals that review for waivers. You do not make the request. The SA might or might not seek a waiver.
 
CkzErz said:
You don’t request it. If the academy deems you otherwise competitive but you have been medically disqualified, they will begin the process to seek a waiver for you.
Click to expand...
Ahhh! Ok. Thank you kindly!
 
TigerMomNot said:
The applicant gets a physical and fills out forms, uploads information, etc. and then DoDMERB performs a review. DoDMERB may or may not ask for additional information. Then, DoDMERB renders a decision regarding the medical qualification of the candidate.

Then the ball goes into the SA's court, so to speak. If there is a DQ, each SA will respectively decide whether or not to seek a waiver from its medical professionals that review for waivers. You do not make the request. The SA might or might not seek a waiver.
Click to expand...
Ok. It’s all finally starting to make sense l. Lol. Excellent info. Thanks so much!
 
Klaw said:
Hi all!
My son is a junior in HS and we have begun the preliminary application process for USNA. Freshman year of HS wrestling, he was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma and followed through with the medication protocol issued by his doctor for the season. Sophomore year, he did not use any the medication, broke his school's record for most wins as a sophomore and placed 6th in the state championship. He also ran cross country that year, unmedicated, and placed first for his team with a 6 minute mile. Of course, his medical record does not reflect that he hasn't been using the medication and we understand that we will need to take extra steps to clear this. My questions are:
1. How does this process work as far as being appointed? Would he be appointed (if that were to happen) and then this would be taken up with DODMERB and seeking a waiver? or would this keep him from being appointed in the first place?
2. I spoke with his doctor who said he can go on and send him to a pulmonologist now to have the pulmonary function test completed (he's assuming he will pass) and have that on his medical record now. Is that wise to do?
Thanks so much for any and all help! I'm sure you all have been asked everything a hundred times over already, so to taking the time to manage these threads is truly commendable and so much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Has your son gone to the DoDMERB home page yet and read every link and menu item on the left-hand side? Details on the process, FAQs, workflow diagrams, etc.
 
Klaw said:
Ok. It’s all finally starting to make sense l. Lol. Excellent info. Thanks so much!
Click to expand...
No worries, it was a whole new language to me 5 months ago. And it can be a long process too. My DD is still waiting to see if a waiver will come from USNA.
 
Capt MJ said:
Has your son gone to the DoDMERB home page yet and read every link and menu item on the left-hand side? Details on the process, FAQs, workflow diagrams, etc.
Click to expand...
No, definitely have not done that. Excellent advice! Thank you so much! We will get right on that!
 
TigerMomNot said:
No worries, it was a whole new language to me 5 months ago. And it can be a long process too. My DD is still waiting to see if a waiver will come from USNA.
Click to expand...
Oh wow! That truly is comforting to hear. Thank you so much! And good luck to your DD! 🙏🏻🤞🏻
 
Klaw said:
No, definitely have not done that. Excellent advice! Thank you so much! We will get right on that!
Click to expand...
It’s worth wading through. There is a section in the “the process” for parents.
 
Klaw:


MOM/DAD: Google "DoDMERB;" Hit "Questions on the process;" Read paragraph #4.

Son: Send me an email: lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide complete name and last 4 SSN; provide the text of your Parent's posting above to YOUR email. The subject line of the email of the email should be their name on "SAF Klaw" (USNA)(e.g. Avatar; pppssxxxt; Schmucatelli) :wiggle:
 
For people who were accepted into USNA how long did it take for your medical waiver to be processed if you were medically disqualified?
 
My DS was DQed for use of inhaler after age 13. Maybe took a month for the waiver request. Once all remedials were completed, took about another month for the waiver to be approved. He received his offer of appointment in early January.
 
KB7801 said:
My DS was DQed for use of inhaler after age 13. Maybe took a month for the waiver request. Once all remedials were completed, took about another month for the waiver to be approved. He received his offer of appointment in early January.
Click to expand...
Congrats!! That is so great to hear. Thank you so much for sharing! What were the "remedials?" (if you don't mind me asking).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top