Urgent Request For Advice

I

IcedStorm777

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Mar 2, 2023
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I am senior applying to USAFA. Fairly strong applicant (got a nomination in Colorado) and am cautiously optimistic... until now. My medical is super clean except for the fact that I had very minor atraumatic seizures when I was younger. I briefly took medication but was taken off of it around 12 or 13 (am 18 now). I just received an update on DODMERB that I am currently disqualified under 212.00 "Any atraumatic seizure occurring after the 6th birthday"

So it would appear that the criteria for NOT being a disqualification is 5 years without a seizure, no medication, normal neuro condition, and a clean EEG. I took my EEG but I haven't been able to see the results yet. So I have a couple of questions. First off, if my EEG does come back clean does that mean I don't need a waiver (eg. i meet the criteria for rectifying that dq so I am good now) or do I still need a waiver? Secondly, if the EEG. doesn't come back clean and or I need a waiver regardless, what can I do to maximize my chances of getting a waiver? One possible thought I had is that I am right next to the Air Force Academy, I know it's a long shot but does anyone think it would be worth it to try and get a meeting with the Academy Command Surgeon as it appears he is the one that issues waivers and ultimately that would decide my fate in that sense? I think if I explained to him where I am and such it is possible that it would go a lot better.

Sorry for the scatterbrained question, I'm a little tense right now as I thought getting the nomination here would be the hardest part but it's starting to look like I have another uphill battle facing me. Thanks in advance.
 
I don’t think you can do anything but respond to their requests. Some dqs can’t legally be waived, some can be.

I am a parent - so listen to others. Unfortunately Mr. Mullen, the right person to respond stepped away.

My assumption is if the eeg isn’t clean, a waiver won’t be given. If it is clean, a waiver is still needed, and could happen if legally allowed.

Under no circumstances would I recommend contacting the surgeon. They know what they are doing, and I am not sure what you could say.

Search the forums - this issue has been discussed.
 
IcedStorm777 said:
I am senior applying to USAFA. Fairly strong applicant (got a nomination in Colorado) and am cautiously optimistic... until now. My medical is super clean except for the fact that I had very minor atraumatic seizures when I was younger. I briefly took medication but was taken off of it around 12 or 13 (am 18 now). I just received an update on DODMERB that I am currently disqualified under 212.00 "Any atraumatic seizure occurring after the 6th birthday"

So it would appear that the criteria for NOT being a disqualification is 5 years without a seizure, no medication, normal neuro condition, and a clean EEG. I took my EEG but I haven't been able to see the results yet. So I have a couple of questions. First off, if my EEG does come back clean does that mean I don't need a waiver (eg. i meet the criteria for rectifying that dq so I am good now) or do I still need a waiver? Secondly, if the EEG. doesn't come back clean and or I need a waiver regardless, what can I do to maximize my chances of getting a waiver? One possible thought I had is that I am right next to the Air Force Academy, I know it's a long shot but does anyone think it would be worth it to try and get a meeting with the Academy Command Surgeon as it appears he is the one that issues waivers and ultimately that would decide my fate in that sense? I think if I explained to him where I am and such it is possible that it would go a lot better.

Sorry for the scatterbrained question, I'm a little tense right now as I thought getting the nomination here would be the hardest part but it's starting to look like I have another uphill battle facing me. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
First, you'll absolutely need to resolve DQ notice in order to move forward - be it a waiver or a correction if the reason stated is factually incorrect, which is doubtful but is possible. I think you should work with your medical team and document the exact medical status, history, and present that through your follow-up with USAFA - really make sure you are precise in dates, records, etc. Regarding you talking to someone to explain, honestly, imo they don't want your opinion as much as a medical expert's opinion and official record findings/ results of these tests. It's not a debate - it's confirming whether you do or do not meet the standard. Advocate for yourself but through the right voice/ channels.

Free advice - discussing "very minor" seizures with minimizing descriptors is like saying a very minor nuclear attack or teensy weensy murder. It won't help you - again you just need to confirm if you do or do not meet the standards.

Please on something this important go to the source to confirm exact details and be very precise - below, I'll just share info I was able to look up on the internet, other than confirmation the loch ness monster exists and likes sweet potato fries and The Love Boat re-runs.

What I am reading at an official source as a DQ condition is "Any traumatic seizure occurring after the 6th birthday, unless the applicant has been free of seizures and has not taken medication for seizures for a period of 60 months and has a normal sleep-deprived electroencephalogram and normal neurology evaluation after discontinuing seizure medications." Your letter said atraumatic? Just confirm which you had, which you are being DQ'd for.

To help you, I would recommend you be very precise / exact.
1. Exact date of last seizures/ all traumatic seizures.
2. Exact date of last prescribed and last taken medication for seizures
3. All results of the tests outline and medical records match what you stated?
3. Are you medication free for 60 months and can prove that? Do you have a normal sleep-deprived electroencephalogram, and a normal neurology evaluation after discontinuing seizure medications? can you provide documentation confirming these exact details?

Those are not details to post on an internet board, even anonymously, but details you can gather and discuss next steps as part of your appeal.

Get your documentation, move quickly, and good luck to you. Thank you for your willingness to serve.
 
Thank you so much for the quick responses, this is what I plan to do ASAP. In regards to my medical team who would it be best to send this to, my contact at DODMERB? Should I let team silver know any of this as to not have my application cancelled? Thanks!

And so if I do meet all those criteria... that is grounds for a waiver being given or that is the waiver? I guess my question is do those criteria qualify me or do they not inherently disqualify me but I still need a waiver? Sorry, a little bit confused.
 
Good advice already. Get your records precise and buttoned up, should AMI’s be requested.

And as always recommended, have solid backup plans. Good luck to you.
 
DId you get DQ letter from admission team? If you were competitive candidate they will request waiver for you and Dodmerb ask you AMIs.
I know it is pain but you have to wait and once you have AMI, do it ASAP with your own Dr. Hope this help! Good luck
 
I was told to check my DODMERB and it showed that I was disqualified on one account, however it said that it was “under waiver review”. DODMERB sent that email and I haven’t received any info from USAFA Admissions yet (although I did email them to let them know and ask a couple questions), so does this mean Its still possible for me to get a waiver/they are still looking at me? Anda are the conditions listed above (clear EEG, no medication, etc.) the minimum that you have to have to be under consideration for a waiver?

I will not say which for privacy reasons but I will say that I do not meet all the criteria listed above for people who have had atraumatic seizures…. So does that mean I’m totally out? I’m sorry, I don’t know if that makes sense and I’m really hairbrained right now because of all this.

And sorry, what is an AMi/what does that mean?
 
It may be helpful to share, I have already taken my remedial EEG. So I’m just confused I guess because I don’t fit the criteria and have a disqualification but also it is showing as “under waiver review”
 
“Under waiver review” on DoDMERB means they have informed the SA and made your info available on their waiver portal. It means that the SA can “see it” but it doesn’t mean they have or will take any action.

USAFA sent our DD an email acknowledging her DQ and others have posted examples how USAFA has informed candidates that they are pursuing waivers.
 
If it says "under waiver review" I believe USAFA requested waiver so if waiver authority need additional medical information(AMI) they will request, and send AMI ASAP per theri direction.
Keep an eye on your Dodmerb status.
My son got waiver granted but it takes time and you need parents help. Good luck!
 
Gotta,

So they likely requested it which means it’s still possible? Gotta, do waiver requests only happen for small things or can they be done for larger things like seizures (which I still haven’t had for like 5 years)? And where should I send the info I have?
 
You are in the running, until you aren’t. Until you receive a TWE, you are not out of the game.

Respond to inquiries. Send stuff if asked. And have a back up plan.
 
Understood, thank y’all so much. I’m probably going to have more questions as I’m trying to hit literally every Avenue possible to maximize my chances.
 
IcedStorm777 said:
I was told to check my DODMERB and it showed that I was disqualified on one account, however it said that it was “under waiver review”. DODMERB sent that email and I haven’t received any info from USAFA Admissions yet (although I did email them to let them know and ask a couple questions), so does this mean Its still possible for me to get a waiver/they are still looking at me? Anda are the conditions listed above (clear EEG, no medication, etc.) the minimum that you have to have to be under consideration for a waiver?

I will not say which for privacy reasons but I will say that I do not meet all the criteria listed above for people who have had atraumatic seizures…. So does that mean I’m totally out? I’m sorry, I don’t know if that makes sense and I’m really hairbrained right now because of all this.

And sorry, what is an AMi/what does that mean?
Click to expand...
AMI = Additional Medical Information (remedial). Since you said you do not meet all the criteria, thus the DQ. Send the info to DoDMERB, they handle medical records. You are still in the running and USAFA can still request the waiver. I believe that you will be notified when a waiver is requested.

Did DoDMERB request the EEG? If so, is that before the DQ or is it something you are waiting to send? Have you sent DoDMERB neurology evaluation?
 
DODMERV requested the EEG as a remedial. I took it and then was emailed by DODMERB to check my portal. I checked it and under status it says “Under Waiver Review” and below where it lists other info it showed “one disqualification” and showed the code and explanation regarding atraumatic seizures.
 
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