USNA/NROTC Asthma Waiver Granted

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skylarj1776

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Oct 29, 2017
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I'm posting this to hopefully help out some people out there seeking a waiver for asthma to either USNA or NROTC. After several month long process and much correspondence with USNA and DoDMERB, my waiver for asthma after the age of 13 (D241.30) was granted for both.

Initially, I was given a pulmonary function test(PFT) and tested negative for asthma. I then was requested to take a remedial Methacholine Challenge Test(MCT). I tested at 92% after 6 rounds of methacholine, where I believe the "passing" score is above 80%. About a month and a half later I was granted the NROTC-MO waiver(mid-april), and then a few weeks after that, a waiver to USNA(on April 26).

There were many speed bumps and delays along the process. Once I began the medical process with the initial questionnaire in October, and realized how long it could take, I did everything i I could to complete all of the requirements on my end quickly, and I still just now wrapped everything up.

That being said, my main advice for those now starting their applications for an academy or ROTC program next year is that, if you believe there is a possibility that you will be medically disqualified, then completing the medical side as early as possible would certainly be in your best interest. I knew I would likely be disqualified, and still waited to start until October, and it has costed my family great stress over the past few months.

Good luck to all the candidates. If you have any questions about the process or specific to my situation, feel free to reply or message me directly.
 
This will be helpful to upcoming 2024. You are kind to take the time to post.
 
My DS had sports induced asthma when he was 10. I believe he made have had 2 times where his breathing was some what labored before his 13th birthday but we answered yes on his questionnaire. He has had his physical for ROTC but hasnt heard back from DODMERB as of yet. Hasnt had issue in years. Hoping for the best.
 
pokcmom23 said:
My DS had sports induced asthma when he was 10. I believe he made have had 2 times where his breathing was some what labored before his 13th birthday but we answered yes on his questionnaire. He has had his physical for ROTC but hasnt heard back from DODMERB as of yet. Hasnt had issue in years. Hoping for the best.
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It sounds like it shouldn't be an issue, however I would recommend doing all of the requested testing/etc as soon as you can just in case!
 
When were you DQd? How long did it take to get the waiver? I am currently DQd for psoriasis and just started the waiver process...
 
Ew3081 said:
When were you DQd? How long did it take to get the waiver? I am currently DQd for psoriasis and just started the waiver process...
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I was DQ'd in mid-January. My waiver was granted last week, at the end of April.
 
DS is DQ'd for asthma. He received the NROTC scholarship and was told his file went to BUMED March 12th. They said it would take about 8 weeks to hear back about the waiver (that would be this week....). No one had instructed him to go for the metholcholine test. Did they instruct you to go have the test done? If so at what point were you asked to go?
 
I was requested to take the methacholine challenge as a remedial in my DoDMERB portal. USNA requested the challenge a couple weeks after the official disqualification from DoDMERB. I was able to get it scheduled through DoDMERB's contractor shortly after it was requested.
 
The more write-ups I read, the more scary info I find. I never thought about DoDMERB’s stringent guideline and procedures. But it’s very understandable.

I realized that my son would face the similar stressful path like OP in the near future.

Since DS had the first allergy reaction, e.g., minor wheezing, during the worst allergy and smog season more than 10 years ago, I, as a parent, had administered to see a doctor and get a treatment very promptly. I believe that my DS experienced similar issues 3-4 times for 10 years.

The last time he got his last inhaler from a doctor was a little over two years ago. He used to use his inhaler for a minor wheezing a couple of times then stopped using it all the time. But it seems that this can be a major issue no matter what.

No problems on several rigorous varsity sports but the medical records should be a major DQ challenge for my DS based on the info here.

I am seriously thinking of taking the proactive actions including MCT and PFT exams.

I am wondering if the exam results proving “no asthma” can be helpful when my DS submits the DoDMERB forms. Although the exams from the private hospitals would not be used officially, it might be helpful for the Service Academy’s decision on a waiver request? This is a big bummer but good to know the issue right now rather than in Jan or Feb 2020!

@skylarj1776
Congratulations! What a great result after a long, painful and nervous waiting period!
 
So DODMERB remedial had you take the MCT and you passed and yet you were still DQ'd? But now you've received the waiver. And the waiver is good for USNA and NROTC? (did you get an appointment to USNA?? If so CONGRATS!)

I'm trying to decipher the difference in the process for you versus my son. DODMERB remedial did not ask him to go take the test. His file came back DQ'd. We were surprised but now after seeing how they DQ basically anyone who's ever had an inhaler prescribed after 13 I'm not surprised any longer. USNA did not start the waiver process. He was awarded NROTC scholarship and his file is currently being evaluated for a waiver. We are nervous!

My son has very mild asthma that only flares up when he is sick with a cold. He does not walk around with an inhaler in his pocket and has only been prescribed an inhaler twice since 13. Its been two years since the last time he caught a could bad enough that he wheezed.

I'm wondering if BUMED is going to come back and ask for the test.

Also wondering if he does receive the waiver if when he reapplies to USNA if that waiver would be applicable for his medical status for the academy. I mean, if NROTC says he is good to commission in 4 years into the Navy why would USNA say he's not?

Stupid asthma.
 
To answer your question, I did receive the appointment to USNA and the 4 year NROTC Scholarship. My process was as follows:

Original medical questionnaire> remedial AMI requesting more info> I sent more info> official DQ> waiver request sent to USNA(by DODMERB)> USNA requested me to take MCT> I passed MCT> waiver granted.

My "asthma" was similar to both of your sons. I play multiple varsity sports and was diagnosed as a child and given an inhaler. My parents renewed the prescription every year as a precaution, though I never had breathing trouble. I never had any involvement with BUMED that I am aware of, as all of mine was done through DoDMERB and Concorde. To answer your second question, receiving a waiver to one program does not necessarily mean you will receive a waiver to the other, as they have different standards and processes.

@stanfordovaly2k
I believe your son stands a strong chance of receiving a waiver, especially if he starts the process early. I started the medical process very late considering I knew beforehand I would have trouble with the medical side (I had to also get childhood SVT and food allergies cleared as well).
 
There may also only be a certain number of waivers available for different waiverable DQ conditions at each commissioning source.
 
Capt MJ said:
There may also only be a certain number of waivers available for different waiverable DQ conditions at each commissioning source.
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Ah... This makes sense. So when he reapplies next year to USNA he will again be in line to hopefully receive a waiver for Asthma.


skylarj1776 said:
Original medical questionnaire> remedial AMI requesting more info> I sent more info> official DQ> waiver request sent to USNA(by DODMERB)> USNA requested me to take MCT> I passed MCT> waiver granted.
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I could be wrong but based on the conversations my son had with DODMERB, our understanding is that once he got to the DQ status, the waiver requests flow the other direction, in that the academy sends the file to their waiver board and if a waiver is granted then they tell DODMERB about it after the fact.

Son wants to give NROTC another 2 weeks past the 8 weeks the email from Navy Medical told him it would likely take, to just follow up on the waiver to see if a status has been determined. We cannot find any place to check the status of the BUMED file. He checks DODMERB periodically and it still shows "Pending Waiver Submission/Review" (same status as USNA and USAFA). We have confirmed no waiver was requested for either academy so we are assuming that BUMED has not communicated at all with DODMERB yet. But he logs on and looks because it should change at some point knowing that NROTC has confirmed a waiver request. His NORTC scholarship status does not reflect the medical DQ anywhere. So there just doesn't seem to be any place to confirm and check status of the BUMED waiver request. He will be relying on receiving an email.

Sorry to hijack the thread but I believe it is directly related to OP information, and it IS encouraging to see a waiver and an appointment for asthma.
 
@skylarj1776

Thank you for your nice words. You can not imagine how much your success in DoDMERB has motivated us and others in the similar situations.

We all know that we would never apply to SA if applicants have consistent medical problems. But the occasional season allergy that has been improved dramatically as they grow still can impact the process significantly as well.

This is really great to know since we know what to do, how to be proactive on the issue, and how to take the “proper” and “official” procedures.

Thanks again for sharing your success story with us.

My DS is going to enjoy the NASS this June. Who knows that you might lead him in 2020 at USNA? :)

Best wishes for your endeavor to USNA and serving this great country!
 
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