Should I be Worried?

ArmycadetMS19

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2017
Messages
54
Hey all,

I took my DoDMERB physical 2 weeks ago and already completed my optical exam back in September of 2016 (I switched from AFROTC to AROTC at my college), and I still haven't heard anything back.

A few things that I think might be holding me up are:

My Agency on the portal still says "US Air Force CSB" and my Cycle Year says 2016. Could my switch from AFROTC to AROTC and the discrepancy between that and the portal be holding me up?

My exam needs a longer review time. The only potential medical issue that coudl be holding me back is the diagnosis of "Adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression" BUT it was in response to a traumatic car accident where I saw 3 of my friends get killed right next to me by some drunk idiot. Treatment consisted of no more than 3 months of "venting" to an LPC. No drugs/medications, no hospitalization. I have consulted with 1) a DoDMERB consultant who sat on the DQ/qualifying board, 2) the DoDMERB "handler" at my Battalion, and 3) cadre,4) the physician who took my physical and they ALL said they didn't think it'd be a problem because of all the conditions I listed above.

Do you think my DoDMERB exam is taking so long because of either of those issues, and if so what should I do? I'm freaking out because I need to be qualified to receive a scholarship this fall. I've been more than patient, but I might wanna make a call to DoDMERB and find out what's going on.

Thank you!

 
Since you are already in a ROTC unit you should always work through your chain of command. Two weeks is not a very long time for DoDMERB to process anything. You could check with DoDMERB/DoDMETS to insure that they have received the medical exam paperwork.

Here is the standard for adjustment disorder h. History of a single adjustment disorder (309) within the previous 3 months, or recurrent episodes of adjustment disorders. So, like you said it should not be an issue. If you supplied enough information on the medical history form you may not even get a remedial.
 
Since you are already in a ROTC unit you should always work through your chain of command. Two weeks is not a very long time for DoDMERB to process anything. You could check with DoDMERB/DoDMETS to insure that they have received the medical exam paperwork.

Here is the standard for adjustment disorder h. History of a single adjustment disorder (309) within the previous 3 months, or recurrent episodes of adjustment disorders. So, like you said it should not be an issue. If you supplied enough information on the medical history form you may not even get a remedial.

Thank you for your input. I just wanted your opinions, since my cadre doesn't know all too much about the DoDMERB process/timeline unfortunately
 
The fastest I have seen a DODMERB physical approved is 4 weeks, and that was with no remedials. You have not been waiting a long time yet. Sorry about your friends.
 
Thank you both for your feedback. Is there any way that I could contact DoDMERB directly and further explain or expand the background behind my diagnosis? I just realized that in my haste to complete the medical background/history form, I didn't quite convey the message that I wanted to. I'd like a second chance to explain further.

However, I explained it pretty well verbally to the physician who examined me. I saw him jot his notes down on the form that was submitted to DoDMERB, and then he told me the same thing everyone else did.

Do you think that it'd be necessary to clarify with DoDMERB by directly contacting them? I appreciate the advice and feedback from an ROO.
 
Do you think that it'd be necessary to clarify with DoDMERB by directly contacting them? I appreciate the advice and feedback from an ROO.
I am not an ROO - but I have observed others make this mistake and my now commissioned DD has had DoDMERB physicals both 'ways'....... HS and through ROTC Battalion.

Do not contact DoDMERB directly if your physical was coordinated through your ROTC Cadre. DoDMERB would consider that 'jumping' your chain of command. Your situation is different than that of a HS applicant regarding communicating with DoDMERB. If you need to communicate additional information or ask about the '2016 status' to DoDMERB then do so through the ROTC Battalion DoDMERB contact.

Each ROTC Battalion should have at least two qualified DoDMERB cadre/staff.
 
I am not an ROO - but I have observed others make this mistake and my now commissioned DD has had DoDMERB physicals both 'ways'....... HS and through ROTC Battalion.

Do not contact DoDMERB directly if your physical was coordinated through your ROTC Cadre. DoDMERB would consider that 'jumping' your chain of command. Your situation is different than that of a HS applicant regarding communicating with DoDMERB. If you need to communicate additional information or ask about the '2016 status' to DoDMERB then do so through the ROTC Battalion DoDMERB contact.

Each ROTC Battalion should have at least two qualified DoDMERB cadre/staff.

Ah, i hadn't thought of that. Thanks for your input. I'll contact the battalion cadre tomorrow
 
Update:

the portal now says "Multiple applications exist in the DoDMERB database. For admission statuses, see the individual agencies below."

There are now "2" applications: 1 for US Army CSB and 1 for US AF CSB, but they both still say "under DoDMERB Review"

And a new event is "Application Added" on 14-JUN-17 (today). Does this mean that my physical and eye exams weren't considered for review until today?
 
Update: exam finally got through, and .....a remedial was requested.

I know what this means, but I'm still really uneasy because I go off to CIET in 3 weeks, and I doubt I'll be able to do anything to help my situation once I'm at camp, so my hopes are that they qualify me within these next 3 weeks.

The remedial requested "all records and the letter of release-from-care."

Slight problem: The only documents my counselor ever gave me were a summary of my treatment (how many sessions, risk assessment of behavior, treatment used), a release-from-care letter, and a statement describing my progress. All in all, I only have 3 pages of records to provide he succinctly condensed the information. It was up to the counselor's discretion which documents to provide, and those were all he gave me -- even after I asked vehemently for more documents. They were written in a very positive tone, so I'm hoping it will help me.

Do you guys think these documents will suffice their requirements? The DoDMERB technician at my school is new and still learning, so she said she wasn't sure.

Could I also contact my medical technician to ask what he/she thinks?

Thanks a lot, guys!
 
You might want to contact another MH counselor who has a military background and share the docs with him/her for a second opinion.
 
You might want to contact another MH counselor who has a military background and share the docs with him/her for a second opinion.
Thank you for the idea.

I'm preparing to submit the documents to my cadre tomorrow. I've heard around the forum that there is a military physician on this forum who pops in from time to time. Would it be against the rules to consult with him/her?
 
It is only against the rules to advertise or post links for a commercial enterprise.

Do not post advertisements or any other material meant to solicit sales or traffic to a commercial website or other commercial entity. All such violations will be cause for immediate and permanent banning.
 
Update: exam finally got through, and .....a remedial was requested.

I know what this means, but I'm still really uneasy because I go off to CIET in 3 weeks, and I doubt I'll be able to do anything to help my situation once I'm at camp, so my hopes are that they qualify me within these next 3 weeks.

The remedial requested "all records and the letter of release-from-care."

Slight problem: The only documents my counselor ever gave me were a summary of my treatment (how many sessions, risk assessment of behavior, treatment used), a release-from-care letter, and a statement describing my progress. All in all, I only have 3 pages of records to provide he succinctly condensed the information. It was up to the counselor's discretion which documents to provide, and those were all he gave me -- even after I asked vehemently for more documents. They were written in a very positive tone, so I'm hoping it will help me.

Do you guys think these documents will suffice their requirements? The DoDMERB technician at my school is new and still learning, so she said she wasn't sure.

Could I also contact my medical technician to ask what he/she thinks?

Thanks a lot, guys!

Are you at the remedial/AMI step or waiver step? This could still take months to resolve. You aren't even in the waiver step yet according to your post. What is your plan B?

The good news is that this condition/diagnosis/status is not stopping attendance at CIET/Basic Camp. It's a long shot, but when you are at Ft Knox explain you have a scholarship medical remedial pending and ask your CIET cadre to discuss it with a medical waiver representative/authority. The medical waiver representative/authority may be able to tell you if the records provided are sufficient to make the decision or if you still have to get 'all records'. They won't likely provide a decision on your remedial at camp though. Remember for College Scholarship applicants the next step after this is to be medically qualified or not qualified. If disqualified as part of the College Scholarship program your ROTC BN will have to initiate the waiver process. Pass CIET/Basic Camp with good evaluations and your ROTC Cadre are more likely to request a waiver if necessary.

No one here knows if the summary documents will suffice, though when they ask for 'all records' that is generally what they want. DoDMERB or the waiver authority won't chase down your records (HIPAA and time constraints) but they could continue to disqualify you for not providing the records. Why is your counselor not providing you all your records? Does the counselor not have good records of your diagnosis and care? Is there something in these records that you and your counselor suspect is permanently disqualifying?

When my DD had a remedial/ami for post surgery pathology reports we stopped playing the 'middle man' and gave the doctor's office a medical records release authorization to provide all documents/records directly to DoDMERB. The requested records were emailed or faxed from the doctor's office directly to DoDMERB. Four years later (different surgery) my DD went to the surgeon's office, requested a copy of her entire file and a letter of release to full activity. This 25 page packet was provided to the ROTC HRA in a sealed envelope identified as medical records. The ROTC department sent it to DoDMERB and the CC Surgeon.

Keep copies of all records you provide ROTC or DoDMERB.

Stop perseverating on this and have a fun few weeks before camp.
 
Are you at the remedial/AMI step or waiver step? This could still take months to resolve. You aren't even in the waiver step yet according to your post. What is your plan B?

The good news is that this condition/diagnosis/status is not stopping attendance at CIET/Basic Camp. It's a long shot, but when you are at Ft Knox explain you have a scholarship medical remedial pending and ask your CIET cadre to discuss it with a medical waiver representative/authority. The medical waiver representative/authority may be able to tell you if the records provided are sufficient to make the decision or if you still have to get 'all records'. They won't likely provide a decision on your remedial at camp though. Remember for College Scholarship applicants the next step after this is to be medically qualified or not qualified. If disqualified as part of the College Scholarship program your ROTC BN will have to initiate the waiver process. Pass CIET/Basic Camp with good evaluations and your ROTC Cadre are more likely to request a waiver if necessary.

No one here knows if the summary documents will suffice, though when they ask for 'all records' that is generally what they want. DoDMERB or the waiver authority won't chase down your records (HIPAA and time constraints) but they could continue to disqualify you for not providing the records. Why is your counselor not providing you all your records? Does the counselor not have good records of your diagnosis and care? Is there something in these records that you and your counselor suspect is permanently disqualifying?

When my DD had a remedial/ami for post surgery pathology reports we stopped playing the 'middle man' and gave the doctor's office a medical records release authorization to provide all documents/records directly to DoDMERB. The requested records were emailed or faxed from the doctor's office directly to DoDMERB. Four years later (different surgery) my DD went to the surgeon's office, requested a copy of her entire file and a letter of release to full activity. This 25 page packet was provided to the ROTC HRA in a sealed envelope identified as medical records. The ROTC department sent it to DoDMERB and the CC Surgeon.

Keep copies of all records you provide ROTC or DoDMERB.

Stop perseverating on this and have a fun few weeks before camp.
So sorry to bother everyone with this. You're right, i should stop worrying so much.

I'm in the remedial step. The cadre seemed to think that i wouldn't have a problem getting cleared by mid-august, which is when the scholarship deadline is.

I had a nice (not so nice) talk with my counselor over the phone. It turns out he didnt want to release ALL pages of the records because the policy of the counseling company is to charge $15 for each page....and there were 10 pages. And he didnt want me paying $150 out of my pocket. I said, "screw it, it's worth it" and just paid that crap lol. I'll give everything to my cadre ASAP tomorrow.
 
I had a nice (not so nice) talk with my counselor over the phone. It turns out he didnt want to release ALL pages of the records because the policy of the counseling company is to charge $15 for each page....and there were 10 pages. And he didnt want me paying $150 out of my pocket. I said, "screw it, it's worth it" and just paid that crap lol.

It sounds like the counselor doesn't understand the dollar value of what is at stake here. o_O
 
Way to go ArmycadetMS19! What a thieving counseling company! If your parents have a Health Savings Account maybe getting copies of your medical records is a viable charge to that account.

Show up and do well at CIET/Basic Camp... you've got this. Go do push ups, sit ups, and a run. Go work your summer job or class. Go play a round of golf, tennis, or frisbee golf with friends. After you get the requested documents to the ROTC DoDMERB contact - Do anything but think about this! Crush the PT test at camp and in the fall at school.
 
Update: I got disqualified....but why?

I met the standards according to DoDMERB for adjustment disorder because I haven't had any symptoms in the recurrent past 3 months, and I've never had any medications....

My disqualification code is D231.20. Can anyone please share some insight? .
 
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