This is DQ Country - cataract and intraocular lens implant

williamsdr3

williamsdr3

Parent of USNA Mid '24
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2018
Messages
378
My son, as expected, just got two DQ codes for history of cataract (caused by eye injury in 2011) and history of (intraocular) lens implant (to resolve eye injury). Just posting to let folks know how quickly the process has moved so far. Though there were some missteps within USNA or DODMETS getting the process launched in a timely manner upon application file completion, I am impressed that after DODMETS exams of Oct. 1 and Oct. 8th, the medical reports (or least the later one) was received at DODMERB 10/15 and the file was reviewed with DQ finding today 10/16. Pretty fast.

He did submit along with his file both to the examining eye doctor and to DODMERB directly yesterday a letter explaning his 2011 injury, treatment, and years of all clear status from his personal ophthalmologist. Hoping it would pre-empt a DQ but it did not. May help at a later point.

I need to go read all the DODMERB stuff again in forum and on their website as far as next steps if anything we need to do before a waiver (hopefully) is requested by any academy (candidate for USMA, USNA, and USAFA) that desires to do so for him.

Does anyone think we should go ahead and submit full eye doctor records at this point to DodMERB or wait till they asked for? There shouldn't be anything else in there that would trigger an additional DQ.

He is going on his authorized (LOE) overnight visit next week to USMA if anyone has any advice on anything he should do or say on the DQ topic while at WP please advise as well.

Thank you to those who have helped and continue to help navigating this grueling and stressful process.
 
1)The chances of getting a waiver for this approach zero.

2)Don’t let that stop you from continuing the application process; however, please have an extremely solid back-up plan that does not include the military.

3)what to include in a potential letter: the reality is you could spend hours crafting just the perfect letter or just a few minutes putting something together and the result will likely be the same; however, given you are this far into it you will likely spend much time on it.

If I were the ophthalmologist reviewing the case (which I certainly won’t be for full disclosure) I would want the following:

-exact details of the injury. The mechanism, the initial exam findings, what exact structures were damaged, and the operative report (if able).

-type of lens implant put in and it’s exact location (sulcus vs in the bag, etc)

-the location of any corneal incisions (under the eyelid is a little more protected than the temporal region)

-all follow-up visits through a recent.

You could certainly include all the activities that they’ve participated in, etc ; however, I doubt many High Schoolers do activities that are as “jarring” as something like being ejected from an aircraft, riding in a centrifuge, or parachuting which is what I have to consider when looking at future officers.

Best of luck, but expectation management is going to be key for your child.
 
Miracle of miracles! So incredibly happy to report that my son's DODMERB portal no longer says "under waiver review" but "waiver granted" for USNA! USAFA and NROTC still "under waiver review." and USMA is not considering a medical waiver for him at this time.

Timeline - First DODMERB appts 10/1 and 10/8. DQ 10/16. All medical records and additional tests requested (AMI) by USAFA and shared with all academies and ROTC 11/4. Waiver granted 12/17.

I can't believe it. This was a really tough medical waiver. And he just got a nomination from our local Rep to USNA so he has overcome 2 major hurdles. One big one, the appointment, left to go.

Wow!!!!! I am in total shock. Disqualification due to cataract surgery (resulting from injury to eye) and intraocular (artificial) lens. Anyone else out there in future classes with the unusual DQ's for these specific items below should have a glimmer of hope. And USAFA medical folks had told us that it had been waived before in a couple of instances. Obviously, it is a fairly unusual condition.

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williamsdr3 said:
Miracle of miracles! So incredibly happy to report that my son's DODMERB portal no longer says "under waiver review" but "waiver granted" for USNA! USAFA and NROTC still "under waiver review." and USMA is not considering a medical waiver for him at this time.

Timeline - First DODMERB appts 10/1 and 10/8. DQ 10/16. All medical records and additional tests requested (AMI) by USAFA and shared with all academies and ROTC 11/4. Waiver granted 12/17.

I can't believe it. This was a really tough medical waiver. And he just got a nomination from our local Rep to USNA so he has overcome 2 major hurdles. One big one, the appointment, left to go.

Wow!!!!! I am in total shock. Disqualification due to cataract surgery (resulting from injury to eye) and intraocular (artificial) lens. Anyone else out there in future classes with the unusual DQ's for these specific items below should have a glimmer of hope. And USAFA medical folks had told us that it had been waived before in a couple of instances. Obviously, it is a fairly unusual condition.

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CONGRATULATIONS :groupwave::groupwave::benny monkeysmilies:
 
williamsdr3 said:
Miracle of miracles! So incredibly happy to report that my son's DODMERB portal no longer says "under waiver review" but "waiver granted" for USNA! USAFA and NROTC still "under waiver review." and USMA is not considering a medical waiver for him at this time.

Timeline - First DODMERB appts 10/1 and 10/8. DQ 10/16. All medical records and additional tests requested (AMI) by USAFA and shared with all academies and ROTC 11/4. Waiver granted 12/17.

I can't believe it. This was a really tough medical waiver. And he just got a nomination from our local Rep to USNA so he has overcome 2 major hurdles. One big one, the appointment, left to go.

Wow!!!!! I am in total shock. Disqualification due to cataract surgery (resulting from injury to eye) and intraocular (artificial) lens. Anyone else out there in future classes with the unusual DQ's for these specific items below should have a glimmer of hope. And USAFA medical folks had told us that it had been waived before in a couple of instances. Obviously, it is a fairly unusual condition.

View attachment 4087
Click to expand...
Did USAFA put a letter on DS portal or you had no idea that a waiver had been requested? Can't remember..... I knew our DSs were kinda in the same boat. CONGRATS!
 
THmom said:
Did USAFA put a letter on DS portal or you had no idea that a waiver had been requested? Can't remember..... I knew our DSs were kinda in the same boat. CONGRATS!
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@THmom My son didn't realize it for a few weeks but there is a letter in his USAFA portal that says a waiver was requested for him. And DODMERB portal status says for USAFA - "under waiver review." I assumed that meant a waiver had been requested but I felt a lot better when we noticed the letter in the USAFA portal specifically saying a waiver had been requested for him.

Thanks and good luck to you!
 
My son was fortunate to win a Tier 3 NROTC scholarship on the first board back in October. Unfortunately, his tough medical waiver was denied today. He is pretty disappointed as Plan B is dead though he is still in the running for AROTC (other Plan B). The paths to commissioning in any service have narrowed to USNA (med waiver approved) and possible AROTC if he gets the waiver.

For anyone tracking the timing, his NROTC scholarship was announced Oct. 30 and the medical waiver (automatically initiated for ROTC scholarship winners) was denied today Jan. 8.

I think I am ready to get off this rollercoaster. But he and I both knew given his medical situation this was going to be a tough, long road. Still stinks though.
 
I'm saddened to hear this...I have been following along through the process and was hoping for the best for your son. USNA or AROTC (at A&M) are hopefully in the cards for him. Good luck going forward.
 
All - When the DoDMERB website states “under waiver review,” that means the waiver authority has all the medical documentation available for their review on their secure website.
For Academies, the Admission Offices determine who will be considered for medical waivers.
For National winners of ROTC scholarships, you will automatically be reviewed for medical waivers.
For campus based ROTC applicants, your PMS (Army) or Commander (AF/Navy) must submit you for waiver consideration. All of this is spelled out on the DoDMETS website, under the tab Questions about the process.”
 
williamsdr3 said:
My son was fortunate to win a Tier 3 NROTC scholarship on the first board back in October. Unfortunately, his tough medical waiver was denied today. He is pretty disappointed as Plan B is dead though he is still in the running for AROTC (other Plan B). The paths to commissioning in any service have narrowed to USNA (med waiver approved) and possible AROTC if he gets the waiver.

For anyone tracking the timing, his NROTC scholarship was announced Oct. 30 and the medical waiver (automatically initiated for ROTC scholarship winners) was denied today Jan. 8.

I think I am ready to get off this rollercoaster. But he and I both knew given his medical situation this was going to be a tough, long road. Still stinks though.
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So, USAFA denied your DS, too? Super sad, but I’m really happy that he passed at USNA at least!
 
THmom said:
So, USAFA denied your DS, too? Super sad, but I’m really happy that he passed at USNA at least!
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USAFA medical waiver still in process but without a nom I assume it is out of play. Be interesting to see what they say about the waiver if they process it all the way through.
 
williamsdr3 said:
USAFA medical waiver still in process but without a nom I assume it is out of play. Be interesting to see what they say about the waiver if they process it all the way through.
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So, no MOC? How about VP?!
 
Update: My son's USAFA medical waiver was denied today for history of cataract (caused by eye injury in 2011) and history of (intraocular) lens implant (to resolve eye injury). Interesting because USNA approved his medical waiver and USAFA has waived this condition in the past, though I imagine the exam results showed something that wasn't quite good enough to trigger an approval. NROTC has denied his medical waiver after DQ.

Two paths to commissioning left - AROTC (waiting on waiver decision) and USNA (waiver granted and nom).
 
Is there a question still on the table? If so, what is it and from who? Thx:)
 
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