Tree Nut and Shellfish Allergy... Am I toast?

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peachpeach24

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Jan 10, 2020
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Howdy, I'm a high school junior weighing up my options and I've always dreamed of serving in the military,
I'm a computer science lover and an overachiever, and my district is very non-competitive. I feel like I have every qualification set EXCEPT the medical, for the reason stated above.
I'm allergic to both Shellfish and Tree nuts, not Anaphylactic in either case, just a stomach ache and some nausea. I do not have any visible symptoms for both shellfish and tree nuts. I have accidentally ingested tree nuts dozens of times and have barely even noticed, maybe some mild sweating and that's it. However, my bloodwork does state I am allergic to shellfish and tree nuts both. I know USAFA is strict on tree nuts, and that I will automatically fail my DoDMERB because of my allergy, but what can I do NOW (10 months before I'd have to go get my medical examination!) in order to increase my chances of getting waivers for this?
Thank you so much!
 
Based solely on your self report, do two things:

1. Https://DoDMERB.tricare.osd.mil; hit “questions about the process;” read paragraphs 11-12; 15-19; 21; 23.

2. Ensure you apply to some civilian schools “if” a medical waiver is not issued to you.
 
I also have a tree nut allergy but it was waiverable, I am unable to speak for shellfish
 
Hence my comments in the “Questions about the process” tab of each case pursued for medical waiver authorities are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.😁.

Different waiver authorities CAN and DO come up with different waiver decisions on the SAME applicant.
 
Thank you! And also, if I take an oral challenge (I'm considering taking one for tree nuts, as I'm not having any trouble with them when compared to when I was younger). If I do take the oral challenge and I DO pass, does that mean during my medical examination, I can ignore reporting my tree nut allergy? Or will I have to for the sake of transparency?
 
You have a diagnosis and a history in your medical record. That doesn’t disappear. That is a reportable fact. Any oral challenge results will also be a reportable fact.
The reason behind all this isn’t primarily to keep you out. It’s to protect your future comrades operating in harsh environments far from advanced medical help, where unit readiness and the readiness of every individual is critical to mission success, possibly survival.

Let the authorities know your facts and make a decision where you have not “ignored reporting.”

Looking way down the road, if you do not receive a waiver, there are plenty of ways to serve using that drive and computer ability you have. If you can’t be a door-kicker, you can have the backs of those who do.

Google “college programs” for each of NSA-CIA-FBI-HLS. They are hungry for bright young minds to who are called to serve as cyber warriors, analysts, logisticians, operational planners, forensic investigators.
 
MullenLE said:
Hence my comments in the “Questions about the process” tab of each case pursued for medical waiver authorities are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.😁.

Different waiver authorities CAN and DO come up with different waiver decisions on the SAME applicant.
Click to expand...
I can confirm this. For me in a different disqualification, AFROTC denied a waiver and USAFA granted it.
 
Your medical history, is your medical history, and that HISTORY does not change. Your current medical status, is your current medical status and that is...subject to change.
 
Thank you all for the advice! With this in mind, I will still be applying and giving it my all in hope for a waiver. I'm going to visit my allergist to conduct an oral challenge in order to try to declare that I outgrew my tree nut allergy. I do NOT know about shellfish, I'm going to have bloodwork done for that in order to make sure that it is a sensitivity and not an anaphylactic or serious allergy. As far as I am aware, the best thing to increase my chance to get a waiver is to provide this latest information and a detailed letter from my allergist describing his assessment of my condition when I go to MEPS. I hope that that is enough.

Capt MJ said:
You have a diagnosis and a history in your medical record. That doesn’t disappear. That is a reportable fact. Any oral challenge results will also be a reportable fact.
The reason behind all this isn’t primarily to keep you out. It’s to protect your future comrades operating in harsh environments far from advanced medical help, where unit readiness and the readiness of every individual is critical to mission success, possibly survival.

Let the authorities know your facts and make a decision where you have not “ignored reporting.”
Click to expand...

I completely understand! Sorry if you misconstrued my statement, I only meant to ask how I would go about with my application if I pass my Oral Challenge for tree nuts. I don't want to leave any officials in the dark and I completely understand the military's policy as to why they do not allow people with severe allergies to serve.
 
FACT: If you get the test, send the results to the DoDMERB help desk for processing. The email address is listed in the document on the tab “Questions about the process” on the homepage of https://dodmerb.tricare.osd.mil ;)
 
@MullenLE , what is the best time to submit successful oral challenge results? Bring to initial DodMERB exam, forward separately to DodMERB following exam, or wait until dq triggers waiver request info? Thank you in advance for your input :)
 
FACTS:

1. There is NEVER a reason to bring "additional" documentation to an applicant exam.
2. If you paid for an oral challenge exam, you can always submit it to DoDMERB when you have those results.
 
MullenLE said:
FACTS:

1. There is NEVER a reason to bring "additional" documentation to an applicant exam.
2. If you paid for an oral challenge exam, you can always submit it to DoDMERB when you have those results.
Click to expand...
Hello @MullenLE . I have a similar question. My DS has a conditional appointment to CGA and we've been awaiting a decision on the waiver since xmas. DS has a mild tree nut allergy. (mild in the extreme) I know he could pass an allergy challenge if he took one, so my question is, would it be better to be proactive and take an allergy challenge at my own expense or continue waiting for a decision. This waiting is driving us nuts.

2nd question is DS doesn't have asthma but he was dinged for twice having a chest cold since age 13 where the doctor prescribed an inhaler as a precaution. Is there any testing regarding this issue that we could provide at our own expense that might help or should we?
 
Gbreezy said:
I also have a tree nut allergy but it was waiverable, I am unable to speak for shellfish
Click to expand...
What is your tree nut allergy? How were you able to get a waiver. If you don’t mind sharing your process, this would be very helpful to me as I’m applying USAFA. Thank you!
 
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