Non-Allergic Rhinitis and Upper Respiratory Infections

DoDMERB Speaks

DoDMERB got back to us on 1/19.

Pretty quick turn-around, as physical done 1/3/08. Got three administrative (paperwork) remedials: milk allergy, sinus and other related allergies, ADHD. Two mild surprises: no expected remedial on orthopedics (sore knee and wrist) a surprise as these injuries were within last two years. Second surprise was remedial ordered on ADHD, due to fact this we thought this old news ~ son treated ages 5-7, then resolved and no further treatment or issues.

Our take on each remedial, in a nutshell: First, don't have milk allergy, rather a "hypersensitivity" noted 7 years ago by an ENT, after ENT and allergists couldn't find any smoking gun behind sniffly nose. Son does consume milk products. Second, son indeed has experienced history of sinus problems. But ENT evals showed no diagnosible problems. Son, probably through maturation, has seen sinus infections reduced to about 1 per year, which responds to treatment. Third, ADHD is long ago history.

DoDMERB wants all medical records related to these remedials, which means we pretty much submit all records back to childhood. We are also to submit answers to an allergy questionnaire.

We will do some private emailing with RetNavyHM on the details, most of which we believe will be too boring for this forum. One general question which may interest folks, is what exactly is meant by "all medical records"?

We've been given from local clinic records that include chronological narratives of office visits plus copies of summary reports such as specialist evaluations. Do we also need to get copies of the detailed technical things, like actual x-rays, scans, test data, the like, that the summary reports are based upon?

Another point maybe more of general interest... we are preparing personal statements to accompany our stack of copied records. Statements like "yes, had medical issues, but they have been resolved and am capable of full service". Yada, yada, yada, to that effect.

Will be interesting to see how DoDMERB analyzes the full record. Pages and pages of office visits, reports, terminology ~ things we which don't fully understand. We're crossing our fingers no more surprises pop up. ~SLK.
 
First - follow Retnavy's advice -

I will tell you what we did. DoDMERB also requested "birth to present" medical records for my daughter - so I got them ALL. Fortunately we have lived in the same community and she had the same pediatrician since birth.
I just called the local hospital and the few specialists she had seen and requested the rest.
Now - some were easy and others were quite an ordeal. It took a good 4 weeks for the hospital because they were in storage and had to come from Texas. It also cost an arm and a leg - I spent nearly $200. And I consider my kids to have been quite healthy!

My point is do not delay - begin making contacts. If your son is over 18 he can do the running around and signing - otherwise - have fun with that -:wink:.

Once I got all her medical records, I made a copy of them all (which I still have) and she wrote a letter rebutting her disqualification. That was the only summary letter that we wrote and included. I mailed the whole package at once to DoDMERB.
 
question about medical waivers?

My son has recieved a letter from our state congressman stating he was nominated for USNA appointment, he also recieved a letter from the Army ROTC for a full four year scholarship at VMI. Ironically the same day he rec'd a letter from DoDMERB informing him he was medically DQ'd because of a vericocele and Eosinophillic esophagitis. [EE, is a build up of eosinophils causing strictures or narrowing of the esophagus, he was treated by dilating the stricture and has had no further problems nor does he take medications.] I have read on other sites that the first problem once surgically corrected is waiverable. the esophagus problem is a bit trickier...the only info I can find for NON waiverable conditions mentions bleeding GERD or conditions which require a candidate to be on medications such as Nexium or prilosec etc. which he is NOT on...? we have already requested a medical waiver, we have copies of his EGD records and a letter coming from his GI doctor. He has an appointment to see a urologist next week and plan to have the vericocele repaired ASAP.
I have no Idea what to expect next? Has anyone ever been granted a waiver for these things?
I need help and fast....Time is running out for our son to determine if he can accept the scholarship vs the USNA??? we need information in the worst way~
 
rnmomma said:
I need help and fast....Time is running out for our son to determine if he can accept the scholarship vs the USNA??? we need information in the worst way~

Isn't DODMERB clearance needed for the ROTC scholarship as well as USNA?
 
Time is running out for our son to determine if he can accept the scholarship vs the USNA??? we need information in the worst way~

Before RetNavyHM gets on here and works his "magic" with excellent advice and support -

Accept them both. You need DoDMERB clearance for both programs - the waiver authorities are different. Go ahead and accept both of them - of course you are pending a medical waiver for both as well.
For the Army ROTC DQ - he will have to request a waiver from Cadet Command.
 
Two mild surprises: no expected remedial on orthopedics (sore knee and wrist) a surprise as these injuries were within last two years. Second surprise was remedial ordered on ADHD, due to fact this we thought this old news ~ son treated ages 5-7, then resolved and no further treatment or issues.

The reviewer obviously felt that the ortho stuff wasn't an issue and decided not to chase for the records. As for the ADHD, DoDMERB's policy is if its mentioned they have to chase the records regardless of when it was.

One general question which may interest folks, is what exactly is meant by "all medical records"?

We've been given from local clinic records that include chronological narratives of office visits plus copies of summary reports such as specialist evaluations. Do we also need to get copies of the detailed technical things, like actual x-rays, scans, test data, the like, that the summary reports are based upon?

When you request the medical records make sure that all the specialist evaluations are included, they will usually submit a summary to the pediatrician which usually will suffice, but there are times they can create more questions, so getting the specialists notes will help DoDMERB.

You do not need to send in the actual x-rays, or any other specialty testing that could result in specialized media, just provide the reports from the x-rays, etc.

Ironically the same day he rec'd a letter from DoDMERB informing him he was medically DQ'd because of a vericocele and Eosinophillic esophagitis. [EE, is a build up of eosinophils causing strictures or narrowing of the esophagus, he was treated by dilating the stricture and has had no further problems nor does he take medications.]

The varicocele disqualification can be cleared once it has been surgically removed and the applicant has been released to full activities by his physician. Depending on the size of the varicocele, if it is symptomatic or not, or if it is in a position where it could cause injury, a waiver could possibly be granted for it without surgery. The fact the DoDMERB disqualified your son for it leads me to believe that surgical correction would be the best route, but that choice is up to you, your son and your physician.

As for the eosinophillic esophagitis, that ones a little trickier and I do not have a clue what his chances for a waiver would be. That EE is most often caused by an allergy of some sort, and usually related to a food allergy is of concern to me. I honestly do not know what your son's chances for a waiver are with the EE. My gut feeling is that the waiver will be denied, but I've been wrong in the past, and I'm sure I'll be wrong in the future when it comes to guessing what the waiver authority will do.

The best advise I can tell you is to continue on with the waivers, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Make sure that you have provided copies of ALL the medical records concerning this, as well as any allergy testing that your son has gone through, and include a statement from your son explaining the issue in his words. Get everything to DoDMERB, they will forward to all the wavier authorities.

As always, if you have any other questions please feel free to let me know.
 
Hi everyone. Sorry, I dont want to hijack this thread. But my issue is related. Im currently applying for USAFA /ROTC schol. and im pursuing a waiver for 'sinusitis'.

Ive never had any big sinus issues in my history or records. What brought this all up was when my private doctor prescribed Nasonex after he saw some nasal polyps developing (about a year ago). At my DODMERB exam, I told them and they made me get a CT of sinuses. They looked at the results and DQed me for 'Sinusitis, Acute or Chronic'. I did a little research, and I dont have any of the symptoms listed for this. Ive never felt any discomfort, postnasal drip, etc. Im also a private pilot and can go through rapid pressure changes without problem. I made all this clear in my waiver request last week.

My question is: is there a good chance of a waiver? Obviously theres something up in my sinuses, or I wouldnt have been DQed. Im just getting worried, and wondering what my chances are.
 
As you state there was something in the CT that made DoDMERB issue the disqualification, most likely a mucosal thickening suggestive of a chronic sinusitis. I am a little surprised that they did not disqualify for the polyps, mist likely the CT didn't show them well, or they have decreased enough to not be a factor.

I don't know how in depth you went in your letter to the waiver authority, but I would make sure they know that you really have not suffered much from it.

This next part is up to you, and is completely your call. Go see your family physician, and let him/her know about the disqualification, and that you had a CT done. The physician should be able to get a copy of the CT report and can go over it with you. If he/she feels that they can provide some input to the waiver authority and would like to write a letter for you, by all means get it. Just remember that the waiver authorities are all physicians, so you are not jut dealing with paper pushers!

As for the chances of a waiver, it really all depends on what your medical records state and what was on the CT. If its mild, them you have a fairly good chance of a waiver. The worse it gets, the lower the chance of a waiver.
 
Been two weeks since last posting. Mailed package of son's records to DoDMERB and have USPS confirmation they were delivered last Wednesday morning. Son (and parents) anxiously awaiting word. We are bracing for further paperwork and possible consultations. Will keep posting updates, especially if we feel the need for input. Everyone's feedback, particularly RetNavy's, have been appreciated. ~SLK
 
RetNavyHM,

First I just want to say thanks for all the help you've given so far. But Id like to get some input on my options in the worst case scenario. If Im not granted the waiver, I could still do the first two years of ROTC without having DoDMERB clearance? Ive been told that you only go through the DoDMERB physicals when applying for the professional officer course after your sophmore year.

So, if I dont get the waiver and go to ROTC (non-scholarship), I could have the sinusitis issue taken care of between now and my sophmore/junior summer in college. My question is that if it comes down to endoscopic sinus surgery, would I still be Ok to get into the POC. Ive done some research and I saw that if the surgery is done one year prior, and no complications since then, Id be alright. Is that correct?

Of course, I dont know how far this thing will go, as I havent even gotten the waiver decision back yet. But i would just like to know if Id still be able to commission after a surgery.

Thanks again
Nick
 
nick4060,

You are correct on your assumptions. If your waiver is not granted, you can participate as a non-scholarship ROTC participant. If you have the endoscopic sinus surgery (if you need it) at least a year before the start of your junior year you could get on scholarship then (as long as everything was OK). Same for commissioning, even if you did not take a scholarship, and you have the surgery (if you need it) a year before graduating you could be commissioned as a direct commission.
 
Astounded and Pleased ~ Qualified

Got word son who was the focus of this thread is now declared "Qualified". We're certain the inputs we received from this site, particularly RetNAVYHM, were key elements.

Isn't is a wonderful thing that strangers can meet on the Net and assist each other with thorny problems?

A heartfelt thanks to all!

~SLK
 
Congratulations! I'm still in the waiver labyrinth, but I believe I have found an exit. As long as my key works, I'll be fine! =]
 
SLK, congratulations for helping your son get through the DoDMERB maze. We had to navigate the process without RETNAVYHM's help...I found this site after my son completed his DoDMERB remedials. I know the feeling of relief you must have! Best wishes for his future career in the Air Force!! :thumb:
 
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