Recently had DoDMERB exam, will I be DQ'ed?

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USNAcandidate0729

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Hello, I had my DoDMERB exam this past Monday, and I am worried I will be DQ'ed. I wear glasses, and have astigmatism. I have heard that the DQ for astigmatism is +/- 3.00, I am -1.25 but I am still worried because I have other things that could potentially DQ me. There was a time during my sophomore year of high school where my mother made me start going to counseling because she believed I had anxiety issues, simply because I was stressed about midterms. however I was never diagnosed with anything during counseling. I am also very prone to migraines but my doctors have told me that they are probably stress induced, but I have also taken prescription medication for it. I sprained my wrist earlier this year pretty bad, so I go to physical therapy three times a week just to build muscle back up, but the wrist is healed. I have also smoked weed once. Will any of these, or these things put together DQ me? Can I get a waiver if I am DQ'ed?
 
What did you check "yes" to on your medical history and what was your explanation? What did you tell the Dr during your examination to mitigate any of these issues?
For anxiety did you check yes to Depression, anxiety, excessive worry or nervousness? DoDMERB will want to see 24 months since treatment for anxiety to qualify.
Did you check yes to Frequent, severe or migraine headaches? To qualify they should not have disrupted normal activities a max of 2 times in the past 2 years and only required medication 2 times in the past 2 years.
Did you put the sprained wrist in the catch all treated for other than minor illnesses or Had an injury or illness other than those already noted? The sprain should not be an issue if you are fully healed.
Smoking weed once should not be an issue.
You may be getting some remedial requests for records to see that your conditions meet the criteria to be qualified.

Look at the DOD medical standards for a more indepth explanation. Use the "find" feature in your browser, unless you want to read all 52 pages. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf
 
There are people who've attended a psychological assessment or say they didn't receive a diagnosis, but come to find out the therapist DID diagnosis them with a disorder. Have you requested your therapist's records to confirm you don't carry a diagnosis? If you attended a couple of sessions, I find it hard to believe the therapist billed your insurance for "nothing". I'm just suggesting you verify that you don't carry a diagnosis. You might be surprised.
 
5Day said:
What did you check "yes" to on your medical history and what was your explanation? What did you tell the Dr during your examination to mitigate any of these issues?
For anxiety did you check yes to Depression, anxiety, excessive worry or nervousness? DoDMERB will want to see 24 months since treatment for anxiety to qualify.
Did you check yes to Frequent, severe or migraine headaches? To qualify they should not have disrupted normal activities a max of 2 times in the past 2 years and only required medication 2 times in the past 2 years.
Did you put the sprained wrist in the catch all treated for other than minor illnesses or Had an injury or illness other than those already noted? The sprain should not be an issue if you are fully healed.
Smoking weed once should not be an issue.
You may be getting some remedial requests for records to see that your conditions meet the criteria to be qualified.

Look at the DOD medical standards for a more indepth explanation. Use the "find" feature in your browser, unless you want to read all 52 pages. http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf
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I checked yes to depression, anxiety, etc. I explained both on the medical history and to my doctor that more than anything it was just my mother worrying and being overdramatic haha. He asked me why I went to counseling for anxiety and I told him that it was because of stress from my midterms my sophomore year, so he put that it was school related. It has not been 24 months yet since I was treated, it will be over the summer. For the migraines, my doctor asked me if they interrupt my activities, and I said no, that I've just learned to deal with them and that they are more annoying than anything. I have gotten medication about once a year for them, and I got a new prescription a few months ago but I haven't even touched them, I haven't used medication in a long time. And yes, I told them about the sprained wrist but that all seemed to have been fine, he did not even ask me about it. I guess my biggest concern out of all of these is the counseling for the anxiety and my vision. I am not sure if my eyes are correctable to 20/20 because no optometrist has ever told me.
 
MabryPsyD said:
There are people who've attended a psychological assessment or say they didn't receive a diagnosis, but come to find out the therapist DID diagnosis them with a disorder. Have you requested your therapist's records to confirm you don't carry a diagnosis? If you attended a couple of sessions, I find it hard to believe the therapist billed your insurance for "nothing". I'm just suggesting you verify that you don't carry a diagnosis. You might be surprised.
Click to expand...
I haven't asked for my records, no, just because it has been so long since I've gone to counseling. But even when I went to counseling, my therapist told me that she doesn't believe I have an anxiety disorder, just that I have anxiety about as much as the average person does. But you're right, she may have diagnosed me with it. I'll have to look into it.
 
USNAcandidate0729 said:
I checked yes to depression, anxiety, etc. I explained both on the medical history and to my doctor that more than anything it was just my mother worrying and being overdramatic haha. He asked me why I went to counseling for anxiety and I told him that it was because of stress from my midterms my sophomore year, so he put that it was school related. It has not been 24 months yet since I was treated, it will be over the summer. For the migraines, my doctor asked me if they interrupt my activities, and I said no, that I've just learned to deal with them and that they are more annoying than anything. I have gotten medication about once a year for them, and I got a new prescription a few months ago but I haven't even touched them, I haven't used medication in a long time. And yes, I told them about the sprained wrist but that all seemed to have been fine, he did not even ask me about it. I guess my biggest concern out of all of these is the counseling for the anxiety and my vision. I am not sure if my eyes are correctable to 20/20 because no optometrist has ever told me.
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The most troubling and possibly a disqualification is the anxiety and depression. I believe on USNA's website (may have been somewhere else) I saw that any anxiety or depression following your 13th birthday was an unwaiverable condition. However, times may have changed and depending on how your doctor or psychiatrist catalogued your condition may be instrumental in getting an appointment. But all the service academies are different, so perhaps you'll be fine. Best of luck.
 
If you were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you will be DQed. Based on everything you have listed, you will get a few remedials and have to submit additional information. Whether or not the other conditions DQ is based upon their severity and your current status. The waiver authority for military academies are generally very strict. If you are DQed and do not get a waiver from USNA, it may be possible to get a waiver through Navy ROTC and commission through that route.
 
I would think that the migraines are going to be the hurdle you should be concerned with.
1. You had anxiety due to stress
2. You state you have migraines due to stress.

Commonality between both of these medical conditions is one word...stress related. Additionally you have stated that you have a current prescription for the migraines, but do not take it. They have no clue that you are not taking it. What they do know for a fact is that you are currently prescribed meds for the migraines. If those meds are not waiverable than that is where it lands.

IE you can be diagnosed with ADD, but as long as you are off the meds for 24 months and maintain your grades it is waiverable, thus it is not just the diagnosis, it is the meds too.
 
In November my son was DQ'd by DODMERB for his astigmatism. He is still a candidate since he received his Congressional and ROTC Nominations in December 2016. But, he has not received an e-mail nor has his portal changed to state they are considering a waiver. Has anyone ever heard of someone receiving a waiver for astigmatism ?
 
I'm not sure how much has changed since I attended, but my husband has a wicked bad astigmatism, and he made it through just fine. He couldn't get a waiver for PQ, though...fwiw.
 
cadetsquad said:
Will osteomyelitis (bone infection) in ankle at age 12 dq me? No problems since.
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Every applicant is reviewed independently so none of us know if this will result in a DQ for you. However take a look at the linked DODInstruction http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf search on key word osteomyelitis.

Fill out the medical forms (orthopedic questionaire?) with the information regarding your diagnosis when you were 12 and whether it was/was not recurrent. When my dd filled out this form she used dates of diagnosis and release to full activity, diagnosis, current status - able to play varsity/club soccer and run cc with no limitations, name and contact information for the doctor when known. A remedial resulted for more information for a surgery but no DQ ever occurred.

"m. Current osteomyelitis (730.0) or history of recurrent osteomyelitis."
 
+1 ^
And make sure your response address "history of recurrent osteomyelitis".
 
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