Under Medical Waiver Review

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Praying Midshipman Mom

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My first post during my first ever SA application experience, so hoping to get some advice:

My DS class of 2024 hopeful was DQ'd for a torn labrum that occurred several years back, but it's healed 100% and he has full use and continues to be a competitive athlete. Is this a waiverable condition?

He was also DQ'd for hearing at 65 db at 4,000 & 6,000 in 1 ear. We consulted with an ENT and had another audiometry today which slightly improved in his 1 ear- 55 db at 4,000, 40 db at 6,000 & 30db at 8,000. all other frequencies are 0-25. I submitted new test to DODMERB today. He's never had any hearing issues, and in talking to his pediatrician his last screening was 7/18 and was normal. The ENT is perplexed. Will his new test be enough for a waiver? A BGO friend who is not my DS's BGO said don't worry about the hearing DQ, but I'm conflicted in what I'm reading on the internet.

He has been told by the 2 senator MOC interviewers he's a competitive candidate, and now waiting on congressional interview later this month. His DODMERB portal says under Medical Waiver, but I figured USNA won't initiate process until he gets a nom- is that a safe bet?
 
NEVER bet on a SA process...that's a bet you will lose every time. Don't have anything to add other than don't bet on what a SA will do because they can and will do whatever they want, including initiating a waiver without a nom. There are NO safe bets. Good luck to you and your DS!
 
Praying Midshipman Mom said:
He was also DQ'd for hearing at 65 db at 4,000 & 6,000 in 1 ear. We consulted with an ENT and had another audiometry today which slightly improved in his 1 ear- 55 db at 4,000, 40 db at 6,000 & 30db at 8,000. all other frequencies are 0-25.
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Do you know the limiting Audiometer thresholds? There should be a code next to the DQ. The DoDMERB website has a Reference document link along the left side gutter area. Have your son Login and the 2 of you can access and review that supporting documentation.

Our daughter had a problem at 2000Hz in 1 ear, but it was ever so slight. I think the limit for 2000hz was 30db, but she retested and it was lower than 30. She got the waiver.

The limit for 4000hz is 45db I believe, but do consult the documentation. I am going off of what I can remember.

It is Waiverable if it is 1 frequency in 1 ear. And I believe you had to be no more than 5 dB over the limit (but again consult the updated published reference)

I think that the Body of SA and Military experts on this Forum will be able to say more about “The Needs of the Service”, and just how much wiggle room there is.

Btw: We were dumbfounded by the test. She is a very accomplished Pianist and Cellist, plays both by Ear .... and tells everyone that they are too loud, most of the time.
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Praying Midshipman Mom said:
His DODMERB portal says under Medical Waiver, but I figured USNA won't initiate process until he gets a nom- is that a safe bet?
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I received both a LOA and waiver while still waiting on nom, I think they may try to initiate before so that they do not have to go through all the candidates at once. Have they requested more information yet?
 
I would check the DODMERB website. There might be a PDF of letters that tell you the next steps for a waiver or a need for more information. We had an issue with our DODMERB coordinator, she was on a leave and her caseload had been forwarded to another liaison. My DD made a phone call and got a lot of information. I wouldn't sit and assume. I would check daily for DODMERB updates.
 
mara said:
I would check the DODMERB website. There might be a PDF of letters that tell you the next steps for a waiver or a need for more information. We had an issue with our DODMERB coordinator, she was on a leave and her caseload had been forwarded to another liaison. My DD made a phone call and got a lot of information. I wouldn't sit and assume. I would check daily for DODMERB updates.
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Thanks everyone! We are checking the DODMERB portal daily. It went from "under waiver review" to "under DODMERB review" after receiving new hearing test. We will now wait & see.
 
My DS received a medical waiver in September so I wouldn't say it is dependent on a nomination. It is more of an issue if they deem him competitive.
 
@Praying Midshipman Mom .... A search of the forum on hearing threshold, and DB levels will return a lot of similar situations as what you guys are dealing with.

I think I was wrong about the threshold above for 4000 Hz. It looks like 55db is the threshold at 4000 Hz. Your son is possible closer to being Ok .... Praying for you guys.
 
I actually have a question going off this post -- My waiver process has been initiated by USNA. I always hear that it can take 2 weeks to 6 months. Does that mean 2 weeks to 6 months after they request it or after you're DQ'd?
 
2024candidate said:
I actually have a question going off this post -- My waiver process has been initiated by USNA. I always hear that it can take 2 weeks to 6 months. Does that mean 2 weeks to 6 months after they request it or after you're DQ'd?
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For me, it took about 3 weeks after I sent in all my remedial information. I also emailed the medical liaison to follow up, which may have sped along the process.
 
2024candidate said:
I actually have a question going off this post -- My waiver process has been initiated by USNA. I always hear that it can take 2 weeks to 6 months. Does that mean 2 weeks to 6 months after they request it or after you're DQ'd?
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In my son’s case, he was dq’ed right after his eye exam was sent in. USNA started the waiver process shortly after the DQ.

IIRC - his waiver was approved about four weeks after the waiver process started - he had to get the Superintendent to sign off on the waiver.
 
2024candidate said:
I actually have a question going off this post -- My waiver process has been initiated by USNA. I always hear that it can take 2 weeks to 6 months. Does that mean 2 weeks to 6 months after they request it or after you're DQ'd?
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How did you know that the USNA waiver process had been initiated? Of course you have an LOA so you know they will but my son's admissions contact said he will never know if they have requested a waiver or not unless someone asks for additional medical info.

This is a burning question this week because he has until Friday to reshuffle his academy preferences for his MOC nomination interview - and it looks like WP has already more or less final DQ him medically but encouraged him to move WP down from first to third (in case he gets principle nom they might be able to pick his case back up again). We think we know where USAFA stands given they requested additional eye exams but not USNA.
 
williamsdr3 said:
How did you know that the USNA waiver process had been initiated? Of course you have an LOA so you know they will but my son's admissions contact said he will never know if they have requested a waiver or not unless someone asks for additional medical info.

This is a burning question this week because he has until Friday to reshuffle his academy preferences for his MOC nomination interview - and it looks like WP has already more or less final DQ him medically but encouraged him to move WP down from first to third (in case he gets principle nom they might be able to pick his case back up again). We think we know where USAFA stands given they requested additional eye exams but not USNA.
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Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe your son's admissions contact is wrong. My DoDMERB portal changed from "Pending Waiver Request" (or something along those lines) to "Under Waiver Review" when the waiver was requested.
 
2024candidate said:
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe your son's admissions contact is wrong. My DoDMERB portal changed from "Pending Waiver Request" (or something along those lines) to "Under Waiver Review" when the waiver was requested.
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My son’s DodMERB portal went from DQ to under waiver review - so I assume USNA sent them communication that they were reviewing it.
 
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