Hey all! I think I am in the same boat as a lot of you... I was medically disqualified in February for asthma, and since then, have had no updates. It is extremely frustrating considering I only checked off that I used an inhaler due the poor air quality at my pool and have never been tested for asthma. I consider myself to be pretty athletic and acclimate quickly in Colorado. I have never had to stop my activity due to breathing issues. However, it seems as though I have absolutely no control over my disqualification. I am growing concerned that there are no updates and it is so close to when USAFA releases the rest of its decisions. I am a 4.0 student, took a bunch of APs, swim about 7-8 times a week, and received two nominations. Is it normal for a medical waiver to take this long to be initiated? Has anyone heard of people getting medical waivers for asthma? If my waiver has not been initiated by April 21, should I just be expecting a rejection?
USAFA - Medical Disqualification for Asthma
- Thread starter maggiee26
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I got a waiver for asthma - similar to you, I was never really diagnosed but used an inhaler for tennis when the air quality was poor. I am also very athletic, but I did have to stop a tennis match due to some trouble breathing once - we weren't sure what caused it but my dad got me the inhaler just in case.
I had to do a methacholine challenge but eventually got the waiver (long after receiving an LOA followed by an appointment conditional on my medical clearance if I remember right). I can't comment on when USAFA will initiate a waiver.
I had to do a methacholine challenge but eventually got the waiver (long after receiving an LOA followed by an appointment conditional on my medical clearance if I remember right). I can't comment on when USAFA will initiate a waiver.
DD received a waiver for asthma in Feb. We submitted many rounds of AMI and after an initial waiver denial she was approved for granted one. No appointment has come. We are clinging to hope 
. All I can tell you is it is a process like no other but it works.
. All I can tell you is it is a process like no other but it works.sportslover16
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I’m kind of in the same boat! I visited a pulmonologist and had a breathing test and chest x-ray done and submitted all of that information (I had never been diagnosed with asthma, but had an inhaler just in case as well despite being extremely athletic). I’m still under waiver review, but have an appointment pending medical. Hopefully it all works out for you, don’t give up!
HawkeyeMom
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My dd received a waiver for asthma last year for AFROTC and USAFA. As others have said, it was a long process, around 4.5 months total for her. Most of the time was spent waiting for appointments. Once she had submitted all the AMI, the actual decision came within 1-2 weeks. DD had 1 inhaler prescribed at 13. She ended up doing spirometry tests, MCT's, and 2 exercise stress tests (one on a bike and one on a treadmill). She also had to see a pulmonologist.
FYI, the respiratory therapist who did one of the exercise stress tests said swimmers tend to do very well!
FYI, the respiratory therapist who did one of the exercise stress tests said swimmers tend to do very well!
princessmommyoftwo
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My D
Poster2025
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As you will see, there are many candidates that have received waivers for asthma, but as you know, each set of circumstances is unique. More importantly, the SA first needs to request a waiver on your behalf.
Don't beat yourself up about whether or not you should have checked that box for asthma. If they consider you competitive for an appointment, then you will be considered for a waiver and you will have an opportunity to provide detail and explain your circumstances. However, if they haven't requested a waiver, then it's not the asthma that is preventing your application from moving forward. It is a moot point.
We were in a similar situation - stressing about decisions made and we were assured by many posters on this board - if your candidate is deemed competitive for an appointment, then a very thorough review process will be completed and if he can be cleared....he will be.
And you never know, if your application floats to the top, maybe your application will earn waiver consideration. Also given everything seems to be on a different schedule this year, maybe the process is just running behind. You are certainly not out of the game yet. Good luck to you and everyone still waiting to hear.
P.S. If you move or post in DoDMERB - then you can connect with the official himself and maybe get some clarity on your situation.