Around a month ago, I received a medical waiver from USAFA for a past concussion I had. However, it still has not been updated in my USAFA or DoDMERB portal (still reads "medically disqualified" in USAFA, "Pending waiver submission/review" in DoDMERB). I called DoDMERB, and they told me that they had not received anything regarding a waiver decision. How long should I expect it to take for the waiver authority from Air Force to send their decision to DoDMERB? I understand the waiver process takes time, but I always thought it would move quickly once a decision had been made.
Received a waiver, but not sent to DoDMERB
- Thread starter Otterman
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The most important thing is that USAFA has granted you the medical waiver.
The DoDMERB status is now irrelevant as DoDMERB does not grant waivers, and USAFA's determination holds no sway over other medical waiver authorities.
IF it bothers you, send a copy of the USAFA waiver to DoDMERB for it to be posted in your file.
The DoDMERB status is now irrelevant as DoDMERB does not grant waivers, and USAFA's determination holds no sway over other medical waiver authorities.
IF it bothers you, send a copy of the USAFA waiver to DoDMERB for it to be posted in your file.
FMHS-79
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IMHO, I would be more concerned that the USAFA portal is still showing "medically disqualified". Since you've had the waiver for a month, I would contact USAFA for verification of status. Your package will probably not move forward if it is still showing red for medical.
FMHS-79
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All waivers are granted by the sponsoring organization (e.g. NROTC, USNA). I would look to the sponsoring organization application portal for current status. Once the waiver decision has been made, it should eventually be sent back over to DoDMERB, but each application portal should have a better "real time" status of the waiver request.
A1Janitor
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I thought I read somewhere that it hits DoDMERB portal first. And eventually hits portal a few days later.
No matter ... it hasn’t hit either for us yet.
I called my admissions counselor. He told me that it takes time and he has nothing to do with it. I will try reaching out to my ALO next
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Did he realize you had been given the waiver and you had a copy? Most of the calls these guys get are from candidates asking about the waiver status, waiver timeline and the waiver process. In your case, you made it through. Be sure that your ALO understands that and what you need if for someone at USAFA to update your portal to reflect you've received the waiver.
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FMHS-79
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The direction of the data flow should depend on stage of the process - initial DoDMERB assessment (qualified / not qualified) is posted on DoDMERB and then transferred to each appropriate application portal. For waivers, the information flow goes the other way as each sponsoring organization makes the waiver determination.
I hope this helps. My apologies if I didn't interpret your posting correctly.
A1Janitor
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1. “Waiver Granted” decision by the WA of the agency the applicant applied to will populate DoDMERB’s software.
2. WA of the agency the applicant applied to will notify the applicant of this decision, along with electronically notifying DoDMERB
3. DoDMERB will post the outcome of the WA on the DODMERB website. This update will also notify the agency the applicant applied to.
https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/Content/MedicalWaiverConsideration.pdf
The info flows backwards from SA. But it looks like it goes to DoDMERB for posting before SA admissions gets it.
I swear I read someone say a waiver hit DoDMERB first and then portal.
2. WA of the agency the applicant applied to will notify the applicant of this decision, along with electronically notifying DoDMERB
3. DoDMERB will post the outcome of the WA on the DODMERB website. This update will also notify the agency the applicant applied to.
https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil/Content/MedicalWaiverConsideration.pdf
The info flows backwards from SA. But it looks like it goes to DoDMERB for posting before SA admissions gets it.
I swear I read someone say a waiver hit DoDMERB first and then portal.
Is there a way for me to move it? Or would I have to create another thread? I'm looking for as much advice as possible, especially from anyone else who has been in this situation.
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Only the moderator's can move a thread to another forum. NP.
I don't see what more advise can be given other than the posts above. Let's review:
My opinion only based on no available facts: Can't imagine that Admissions civilian personnel were spared from the Govt. shutdown. Admissions probably has staff reductions &/or unpaid while required to work. Morale must be low either way. Just something to keep in mind when you speak to them. "Be polite, be professional..."(you don't need to do the rest of Gen. Mattis' quote-
)
The link below speaks of various AFA departments' civilians status (not Admissions specifically) as "impacted & service degraded"
Under COMMUNICATIONS: It speaks of various IT personnel being non-exempt status. I think that's the boat you're currently in. Good luck!
https://www.usafa.edu/news/government-shutdown-impact-information/
I don't see what more advise can be given other than the posts above. Let's review:
- USAFA has granted you a waiver.
- DoDMERB is now out of the picture, but your AFA Admissions portal hasn't updated. That is your priority to fix.
- You contacted Admissions POC who said it takes time.
- Did you send your Admissions POC a copy of your waiver as suggested by @Falcon A ?
- Also when you contact your ALO, again follow Falcon A's recommendation about making sure you explain your situation (already have a waiver, need the portal to update).
- Have the waiver in a pdf ready to go so it can be emailed to your ALO if they wish.
My opinion only based on no available facts: Can't imagine that Admissions civilian personnel were spared from the Govt. shutdown. Admissions probably has staff reductions &/or unpaid while required to work. Morale must be low either way. Just something to keep in mind when you speak to them. "Be polite, be professional..."(you don't need to do the rest of Gen. Mattis' quote-
)The link below speaks of various AFA departments' civilians status (not Admissions specifically) as "impacted & service degraded"
Under COMMUNICATIONS: It speaks of various IT personnel being non-exempt status. I think that's the boat you're currently in. Good luck!https://www.usafa.edu/news/government-shutdown-impact-information/
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Only the moderator's can move a thread to another forum. NP.
I don't see what more advise can be given other than the posts above. Let's review:
- USAFA has granted you a waiver.
- DoDMERB is now out of the picture, but your AFA Admissions portal hasn't updated. That is your priority to fix.
- You contacted Admissions POC who said it takes time.
- Did you send your Admissions POC a copy of your waiver as suggested by @Falcon A ?
- Also when you contact your ALO, again follow Falcon A's recommendation about making sure you explain your situation (already have a waiver, need the portal to update).
- Have the waiver in a pdf ready to go so it can be emailed to your ALO if they wish.
My opinion only based on no available facts: Can't imagine that Admissions civilian personnel were spared from the Govt. shutdown. Admissions probably has staff reductions &/or unpaid while required to work. Morale must be low either way. Just something to keep in mind when you speak to them. "Be polite, be professional..."(you don't need to do the rest of Gen. Mattis' quote-
The link below speaks of various AFA departments' civilians status (not Admissions specifically) as "impacted & service degraded"
https://www.usafa.edu/news/government-shutdown-impact-information/
Thank you for the advice. From what I have gathered doing research online, the USAFA portal reflects what DoDMERB says. Although DoDMERB does not issue waivers, it seems that they do process them (I also applied to USNA, and it reads "Medical Waiver Granted" instead of "Pending Waiver Submission/Review" in the DoDMERB portal). I did not reach out again to my Admissions POC because he made it clear to me that he cannot do anything regarding my medical status. I have not yet heard back from my ALO; however, I will follow whatever advice he has for me. If nothing changes, I'll call DoDMERB again and see if they can offer me any help.
Thank you everyone for the advice. Hopefully I get everything sorted out soon.
My girl.attie
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Hi,
My DS was just DQ’d due to a previous concussion as well. The disqualification medical code states as “mild brain injury” - just curious if yours was the same as his. How long did the waiver process take for you and if you had to submit paperwork or not. Was it difficult to obtain a waiver? I want him to be ready if USAFA requests a waiver. Thank u in advance for your help.
My DS was just DQ’d due to a previous concussion as well. The disqualification medical code states as “mild brain injury” - just curious if yours was the same as his. How long did the waiver process take for you and if you had to submit paperwork or not. Was it difficult to obtain a waiver? I want him to be ready if USAFA requests a waiver. Thank u in advance for your help.
My DoDMERB read "history of persistent post-concussive symptoms...", so it was a different DQ. From first contact with the USAFA waiver authority to receiving a waiver decision in my USAFA portal, it took about a month. This was in November/December however, so the timetable may be different now. I did need to submit my medical records regarding my concussion, but this was at the request of the WA. Unless it would take a lot of time to do this, I would recommend holding off on gathering everything until you know what the WA wants. And the only difficult part of the waiver process is waiting. Once you submit your documentation/complete any remedials, you need to be patient and let your case go through the process. You'll be tempted to check DoDMERB and call your admissions counselor every 5 minutes, but its best to just forget about it for a few weeks. You'll find few people willing to help you if you're trying to rush your case through the waiver process.
Just to close out this thread, I received an appointment today (March 13 2019). A couple months ago, I contacted my USAFA waiver authority point of contact, who updated my file and told me to contact Dodmerb. I was sent back and forth between them a few times before my waiver authority POC sent my case to one of the “higher ups” in dodmerb. I still had to keep sending emails before having my case updated, and then about a week later my status in my USAFA portal changed to qualified. Good luck to any future applicants going through a similar situation. As much as this whole process has sucked, the moment you see that 5am email, it’s all worth it