Waiver Approved for Scoliosis Corrective Surgery, VBT

THmom

THmom

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2019
Messages
686
This message is for anyone who might need this information in the future and for any of my buddies here on the Forum who would like an update on DS's saga. As some of you may know, DS was DQ'd last August for history of thoracic surgery and spinal fusion (congenital or acquired). However, he did not have spinal fusion, but rather a new kind of scoliosis surgery called Vertebral Body Tethering, or VBT (also known as ASC). Unfortunately, there isn't a code for this surgery, so it had to be coded as having fusion. He applied to USAFA (3 noms!), USCGA, and USMA, and none of them sought a waiver on his behalf. He also applied to AROTC and was elated to win a 4yr during the 2nd Board to his first- choice school! His DoDMERB file was tapped three weeks later and, of course, was DQ'd straight away. Fortunately, winning an ROTC scholarship automatically triggers a waiver, and further remedials were requested and fulfilled, to include the 242 pages inpatient hospital records.

We got the most amazing, unbelievable news today that the waiver was granted. I still cannot believe it, I really can't.

We chose VBT and had the surgery done clear across the country, knowing that VBT stood a better chance than rods, if my son had any hope of serving, a dream he's had since he was 10. Now, he's healthy, strong, has a straight and flexible back, and a 4-year AROTC scholarship. Just wow. I'd like to give a BIG shout out to Mr. Mullen who obliged my nervous Osprey mom neurosis over two years ago when I reached out to pick his brain. He is the one who made it clear that decisions were made on a case-by-case basis, which helped us to have hope, and stated, no rods are better than rods. I still cannot believe it.

For lurkers, it has been said that 97% of AROTC pass DoDMERB/get a waiver (Mr. Mullen, perhaps that data point has changed?? I believe you said it about 10 years ago.), and that for waivers, AROTC is the most lenient, AFROTC most difficult and the SAs fall somewhere in between (again, please clarify if that's no longer true).

This forum has been wonderful, and I wish all those still waiting the magical words "Waiver Granted" to arrive in your portal soon!!
 
Congrats. I can imagine the relief... We have seen those words under one place, but not yet the other.
 
THmom said:
This message is for anyone who might need this information in the future and for any of my buddies here on the Forum who would like an update on DS's saga. As some of you may know, DS was DQ'd last August for history of thoracic surgery and spinal fusion (congenital or acquired). However, he did not have spinal fusion, but rather a new kind of scoliosis surgery called Vertebral Body Tethering, or VBT (also known as ASC). Unfortunately, there isn't a code for this surgery, so it had to be coded as having fusion. He applied to USAFA (3 noms!), USCGA, and USMA, and none of them sought a waiver on his behalf. He also applied to AROTC and was elated to win a 4yr during the 2nd Board to his first- choice school! His DoDMERB file was tapped three weeks later and, of course, was DQ'd straight away. Fortunately, winning an ROTC scholarship automatically triggers a waiver, and further remedials were requested and fulfilled, to include the 242 pages inpatient hospital records.

We got the most amazing, unbelievable news today that the waiver was granted. I still cannot believe it, I really can't.

We chose VBT and had the surgery done clear across the country, knowing that VBT stood a better chance than rods, if my son had any hope of serving, a dream he's had since he was 10. Now, he's healthy, strong, has a straight and flexible back, and a 4-year AROTC scholarship. Just wow. I'd like to give a BIG shout out to Mr. Mullen who obliged my nervous Osprey mom neurosis over two years ago when I reached out to pick his brain. He is the one who made it clear that decisions were made on a case-by-case basis, which helped us to have hope, and stated, no rods are better than rods. I still cannot believe it.

For lurkers, it has been said that 97% of AROTC pass DoDMERB/get a waiver (Mr. Mullen, perhaps that data point has changed?? I believe you said it about 10 years ago.), and that for waivers, AROTC is the most lenient, AFROTC most difficult and the SAs fall somewhere in between (again, please clarify if that's no longer true).

This forum has been wonderful, and I wish all those still waiting the magical words "Waiver Granted" to arrive in your portal soon!!
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congrats! I'm sure that wasn't a fun process for anyone in the family, glad you got through it.
 
That is such awesome news!! I really can relate to the feeling of elation when that waiver comes through and you realize your child's dream to serve has not ended in a denial. DD's waiver journey started in Oct. and she received her waivers the end of Feb. and the beginning of March. Long process, but so worth it in the end.

Where will your son attend college?
 
HawkeyeMom said:
That is such awesome news!! I really can relate to the feeling of elation when that waiver comes through and you realize your child's dream to serve has not ended in a denial. DD's waiver journey started in Oct. and she received her waivers the end of Feb. and the beginning of March. Long process, but so worth it in the end.

Where will your son attend college?
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I'll DM you.
 
THmom said:
This message is for anyone who might need this information in the future and for any of my buddies here on the Forum who would like an update on DS's saga. As some of you may know, DS was DQ'd last August for history of thoracic surgery and spinal fusion (congenital or acquired). However, he did not have spinal fusion, but rather a new kind of scoliosis surgery called Vertebral Body Tethering, or VBT (also known as ASC). Unfortunately, there isn't a code for this surgery, so it had to be coded as having fusion. He applied to USAFA (3 noms!), USCGA, and USMA, and none of them sought a waiver on his behalf. He also applied to AROTC and was elated to win a 4yr during the 2nd Board to his first- choice school! His DoDMERB file was tapped three weeks later and, of course, was DQ'd straight away. Fortunately, winning an ROTC scholarship automatically triggers a waiver, and further remedials were requested and fulfilled, to include the 242 pages inpatient hospital records.

We got the most amazing, unbelievable news today that the waiver was granted. I still cannot believe it, I really can't.

We chose VBT and had the surgery done clear across the country, knowing that VBT stood a better chance than rods, if my son had any hope of serving, a dream he's had since he was 10. Now, he's healthy, strong, has a straight and flexible back, and a 4-year AROTC scholarship. Just wow. I'd like to give a BIG shout out to Mr. Mullen who obliged my nervous Osprey mom neurosis over two years ago when I reached out to pick his brain. He is the one who made it clear that decisions were made on a case-by-case basis, which helped us to have hope, and stated, no rods are better than rods. I still cannot believe it.

For lurkers, it has been said that 97% of AROTC pass DoDMERB/get a waiver (Mr. Mullen, perhaps that data point has changed?? I believe you said it about 10 years ago.), and that for waivers, AROTC is the most lenient, AFROTC most difficult and the SAs fall somewhere in between (again, please clarify if that's no longer true).

This forum has been wonderful, and I wish all those still waiting the magical words "Waiver Granted" to arrive in your portal soon!!
Click to expand...
I have been following your journey. Congrats! What a great way to end the day!
 
CONGRATS!! That’s fantastic. I’ve also been eating to see how this played out for y’all. Wonderful!!
 
MullenLE said:
Our honor and privilege to serve. Yes it remains true :wiggle:
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Hi! Are you still active on here? My daughter has a similar situation with being disqualified (23 Jan 24) due to VBT despite having passed CFA, obtaining a congressional nomination, 4.0 GPA and a pending SAT.

I saw you had an email but it doesn’t look pike you work at that address any longer.

Thanks in advance!
 
lmangaser said:
Hi! Are you still active on here? My daughter has a similar situation with being disqualified (23 Jan 24) due to VBT despite having passed CFA, obtaining a congressional nomination, 4.0 GPA and a pending SAT.

I saw you had an email but it doesn’t look pike you work at that address any longer.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Mr. Mullen hasn’t been on the forum in a long while, and no longer works for DoDMERB. Hopefully your daughter can be considered for a waiver.
 
Unfortunately, Mr. Mullen has stepped away from the forums and hasn't been active for a little over a year. If you have any specific questions, you could reach out to your assigned Case Manager and can find their info on the DodMERB website.
 
lmangaser said:
Hi! Are you still active on here? My daughter has a similar situation with being disqualified (23 Jan 24) due to VBT despite having passed CFA, obtaining a congressional nomination, 4.0 GPA and a pending SAT.

I saw you had an email but it doesn’t look pike you work at that address any longer.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Hello and welcome to the Forum! My son is about to commission in May, despite having had thoracic VBT in 2018. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that your DD will get a waiver request on her behalf, but if she’s truly keen on serving, I’d encourage her to apply AROTC if she hasn’t already.
 
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