My DS applied to USNA his senior year of high school and had the DoDMERB exam in the process. He had no medical issues addressed in the exam. However, when listing medications, he reported triamcinolone cream that he had filled only once about a year before. He had been seen by a dermatologist for a separate (non-disqualifying) issue and brought up a small, dry patch of skin on his arm that was diagnosed as eczema and given the cream. DS was DQ for atopic dermatitis after the 12th birthday.
DS is currently 4/c at The Citadel and decided on AFROTC. His previous DoDMERB exam was used when applying, so, of course, he was DQ. His detachment requested additional information to send to the waiver authority, and DS obtained that from the dermatologist. The waiver was denied.
DS then saw a different dermatologist for a second opinion, as we felt he didn’t truly have eczema. The doctor took an extensive history and exam and believed DS to have dry skin, not eczema. He also stated he wouldn’t have ever given DS the triamcinolone cream but would have recommended moisturizing with OTC lotion. This info was sent to his detachment, and it was still denied.
DS was told by his detachment that he could not contract or become an officer, but he could enlist. DS was told eczema is a no-go in the Air Force due to the possibility of a severe reaction to the small pox vaccine if he should ever deploy to a region where that would be a necessary precaution.
My main questions are #1. If we feel his diagnosis of eczema is inaccurate, and a dermatologist has stated “no atopic dermatitis or history of” and the waiver is still being denied, what else can be done, or who else can we contact for more clarification? I’ve contacted a medical technician at DoDMERB who says it’s the waiver authority’s decision and to have the detachment contact them on DS’s behalf, but they already have. #2. I have read info that last year the Air Force relaxed their policies in eczema, asthma, and ADHD. If AF’s policy on enlisting has changed to “select candidates medically classified as having mild forms of eczema will be processed for a waiver”, why is it different for those seeking a contract through ROTC? If the issue is the small pox vaccine, certain clothing/equipment, exposure to irritants, etc., wouldn’t someone have the same chance of being exposed to those things by enlisting, or am I missing something?
Thank you in advance for your time and any input!
DS is currently 4/c at The Citadel and decided on AFROTC. His previous DoDMERB exam was used when applying, so, of course, he was DQ. His detachment requested additional information to send to the waiver authority, and DS obtained that from the dermatologist. The waiver was denied.
DS then saw a different dermatologist for a second opinion, as we felt he didn’t truly have eczema. The doctor took an extensive history and exam and believed DS to have dry skin, not eczema. He also stated he wouldn’t have ever given DS the triamcinolone cream but would have recommended moisturizing with OTC lotion. This info was sent to his detachment, and it was still denied.
DS was told by his detachment that he could not contract or become an officer, but he could enlist. DS was told eczema is a no-go in the Air Force due to the possibility of a severe reaction to the small pox vaccine if he should ever deploy to a region where that would be a necessary precaution.
My main questions are #1. If we feel his diagnosis of eczema is inaccurate, and a dermatologist has stated “no atopic dermatitis or history of” and the waiver is still being denied, what else can be done, or who else can we contact for more clarification? I’ve contacted a medical technician at DoDMERB who says it’s the waiver authority’s decision and to have the detachment contact them on DS’s behalf, but they already have. #2. I have read info that last year the Air Force relaxed their policies in eczema, asthma, and ADHD. If AF’s policy on enlisting has changed to “select candidates medically classified as having mild forms of eczema will be processed for a waiver”, why is it different for those seeking a contract through ROTC? If the issue is the small pox vaccine, certain clothing/equipment, exposure to irritants, etc., wouldn’t someone have the same chance of being exposed to those things by enlisting, or am I missing something?
Thank you in advance for your time and any input!