FatherOfFive
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2006
- Messages
- 70
My son is going to get his physical in the next 35 to 45 days. He was born with an umbilical cord hernia about the size of a dime about 2 inches above his belly button. We never did anything about it because it is without symptoms and has never been tender and we were never advised otherwise. We very recently discovered that According to DOD Instruction 6130.4 (page 19, section E1.11.11) dated January 2005, that this condition is disqualifying. This condition is easily correctable with out-patient surgery.
Now for my questions:
Q: Does anyone know if wavers for this type of hernia are routinely granted?
Q: I’m thinking we should have the hernia fixed before the exam. He will still receive a DQ for “abdominal wall surgery in the last 6 months”. But it would mean that in January he could get the DQ removed as the 6 month waiting period would be over – if we submit the necessary Doctor’s report etc.
Q: Should we do nothing before the medical exam, get the DQ. Apply for waivers, then get the operation done, then if we do not get the waivers we can submit documentation in February that it was corrected 6 months earlier and has completely healed?
Q: Given that his final medical status will not be sorted out until as late as February, we are concerned that this will hurt his chances, as we have been told to get his SA application completed as early as possible. What is the real story?
He has a muscular abdomin which helps to disguise it. Light has to shine on his stomach in just the right way for anyone to see it.
I sure wish we had this taken care of 10 years ago.
Now for my questions:
Q: Does anyone know if wavers for this type of hernia are routinely granted?
Q: I’m thinking we should have the hernia fixed before the exam. He will still receive a DQ for “abdominal wall surgery in the last 6 months”. But it would mean that in January he could get the DQ removed as the 6 month waiting period would be over – if we submit the necessary Doctor’s report etc.
Q: Should we do nothing before the medical exam, get the DQ. Apply for waivers, then get the operation done, then if we do not get the waivers we can submit documentation in February that it was corrected 6 months earlier and has completely healed?
Q: Given that his final medical status will not be sorted out until as late as February, we are concerned that this will hurt his chances, as we have been told to get his SA application completed as early as possible. What is the real story?
He has a muscular abdomin which helps to disguise it. Light has to shine on his stomach in just the right way for anyone to see it.
I sure wish we had this taken care of 10 years ago.
and said: “I don’t think this is a hernia”. The doctor then called in another doctor for a consultation. The other doctor examined my son and came to the same conclusion. The diagnosis was – “no hernia”. According to the surgeon, given the location of the condition it was more likely that my son might have what is called “Diastasis Recti” which is a muscle separation - not a hernia. It can also be corrected, but the surgery is actually a bigger deal than a hernia procedure. The surgeon did not recommend it. The doctor is writing up a report that states that my son does not have a hernia and he is approved for any and all physical activity. He is sending these results back to our family practitioner. The doctor went on to say that it is not unusual for a Family Practitioner to diagnose a hernia when there isn’t one. Basically, we believed he had a hernia because the family doctor of 10 years ago said he had one. 