- Joined
- Feb 25, 2008
- Messages
- 5
We have two questions we hope somebody may be able to shed some light on:
Right Varicocele Question
Our son has accepted his USNA appointment for the Class of 2012. Though cleared by DODMERB (no waivers required), we are concerned that our son may have a disqualifying medical condition DODMERB may have overlooked (reference DODI 6130.4, page 21, E1.13.8.2 - Any right varicocele is disqualifying): http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613004p.pdf).
Our son’s unpalpable right varicocele was discovered at age 14 during a testicular ultrasound to determine the extent of his palpable left varicocele (which is not large, does not cause him discomfort, has not restricted the growth of his left testicle, but will eventually require surgical repair for sterility prevention). His varicocele is being followed regularly by a urologist.
The DODMERB medical questionnaire our son completed did not contain any questions pertaining to varicocele and to the best of our knowledge, his physical exam did not indicate any right or left varicocele. Our son was required to submit follow-up documentation of other medical conditions listed in the medical history questionnaire (concussion history, broken bones, childhood absence seizures), but nothing with respect to varicocele. He received DODMERB clearance soon afterward.
We have a couple of questions (all of which were posed to DODMERB and to the USAFA and USNA medical offices via phone and email with no response):
1) Is our research correct that varicocele is a medical disqualifying condition?
2) Must our son report the varicocele even though the DODMERB medical questionnaire contained no questions on the topic and his medical exam found no evidence of it?
3) Could his varicocele prevent him from serving in the military in certain capacities such as flying or special ops?
Childhood Absence Seizure History Question
Our son’s medical history includes childhood absence seizures (diagnosed at age 7, controlled through medication through age 11, seizure free and off meds for 5+ years) which is not in itself a medically disqualifying condition (reference DODI 6130.4, page 37, E1.24.9: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613004p.pdf).
Will his history of childhood absence seizures (even though he has been seizure free and off meds for over 5 years) prevent him from serving in the military in certain capacities (such as flying or special ops)? At the October USNA CVW the Admissions Officers told us that once cleared for admission by DODMERB, he is technically cleared for all USNA service selections. We find this hard to believe.
Right Varicocele Question
Our son has accepted his USNA appointment for the Class of 2012. Though cleared by DODMERB (no waivers required), we are concerned that our son may have a disqualifying medical condition DODMERB may have overlooked (reference DODI 6130.4, page 21, E1.13.8.2 - Any right varicocele is disqualifying): http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613004p.pdf).
Our son’s unpalpable right varicocele was discovered at age 14 during a testicular ultrasound to determine the extent of his palpable left varicocele (which is not large, does not cause him discomfort, has not restricted the growth of his left testicle, but will eventually require surgical repair for sterility prevention). His varicocele is being followed regularly by a urologist.
The DODMERB medical questionnaire our son completed did not contain any questions pertaining to varicocele and to the best of our knowledge, his physical exam did not indicate any right or left varicocele. Our son was required to submit follow-up documentation of other medical conditions listed in the medical history questionnaire (concussion history, broken bones, childhood absence seizures), but nothing with respect to varicocele. He received DODMERB clearance soon afterward.
We have a couple of questions (all of which were posed to DODMERB and to the USAFA and USNA medical offices via phone and email with no response):
1) Is our research correct that varicocele is a medical disqualifying condition?
2) Must our son report the varicocele even though the DODMERB medical questionnaire contained no questions on the topic and his medical exam found no evidence of it?
3) Could his varicocele prevent him from serving in the military in certain capacities such as flying or special ops?
Childhood Absence Seizure History Question
Our son’s medical history includes childhood absence seizures (diagnosed at age 7, controlled through medication through age 11, seizure free and off meds for 5+ years) which is not in itself a medically disqualifying condition (reference DODI 6130.4, page 37, E1.24.9: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613004p.pdf).
Will his history of childhood absence seizures (even though he has been seizure free and off meds for over 5 years) prevent him from serving in the military in certain capacities (such as flying or special ops)? At the October USNA CVW the Admissions Officers told us that once cleared for admission by DODMERB, he is technically cleared for all USNA service selections. We find this hard to believe.