Waiver denied - how to appeal

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Candidate3456

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I am an appointee of USAFA and I have been under waiver review for asthma. However, my doctor provided a note specifically saying I have "episodes of coughing, but not truly asthma." Today I was denied a waiver due to asthma. I was advised I can submit an appeal to Ms. Misty Block. Can someone please let me know what my next steps can be and how likely it is I can receive a waiver after this? Also, upon calling Ms. Block, what kind of new information should I have handy (I am going to my doctor Monday ASAP 4/12/21 and can ask for additional tests/notes). Is there any test I can do with my doctor that will make my case stronger with Ms. Block?

After looking at past appeals/waivers for Asthma, the USAFA has usually allowed a pulmonary function test or Methalcholine Challenge Test approved by a DODMERB facility. I believe I can easily pass that test because I don't actually have asthma. However, I am not being given the chance - is there any way I can appeal the denied waiver, take more tests, and prove my past non-severe condition will 1) Not limit any physical activity in any way 2) will not limit my ability to work 3) not limit my ability to participate in extra-curricular activities. 4) will not limit my ability to partake in military service.


I am a healthy, active athlete (this is not a case of sports-induced asthma), captain of varsity soccer, who completed my CFA easily with above-average qualifications. It has been my dream to be a part of USAFA, and I am really saddened to have been rejected for a medical condition my doctor has stated is not serious.
 
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If you were advised you could submit an appeal, didn't the letter also provide instructions on how to do that? Or a point of contact? Probably best to start there to identify potential next steps.
 
Yes, I was given a point of contact. I will start from there.

However, upon reaching out to her, I want to provide additional/new medical information. I am going to my doctor on Monday to ask for an additional note, and am hoping for guidance here on what to include. I can have additional tests done at the office and submit those records. Thus, prior to calling Misty Block, what information should I be gathering to prove my qualification?

@MullenLE I see you have guided a few people through the waiver process. Please feel free to share tips / names of tests I can do to prove my non-asthma
 
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My dd received a waiver LAST year (I don't know if things are different this year) for asthma from AFROTC and USAFA. She had one inhaler prescribed at age 13. This is what she submitted for her waiver: prescription records after age 13, pulmonary MD visits, pulmonary function tests with and without medication, MCT, and exercise stress tests. It is my opinion that the exercise stress test helped her case definitively because it showed that she had the ability to exercise well above average for her age and that she had no evidence of asthma. For us, the exercise stress test could not be performed at our local hospital (~65,000 pop.) and the pulmonologist referred us 2 hours away to a major teaching institution which did the testing. As a side benefit, the pulmonologist at that teaching institution also concurred with the local pulmonologist that she did not have asthma. She received her waiver from AFROTC within a week of the exercise stress test (which had requested it) and from USAFA the day of her testing (they didn't require an ex. stress test). We ended up letting our insurance pay for the final testing and we paid the co-pays (it wasn't much) because she had a lot riding on the results and we wanted to go with providers she was comfortable with (she didn't have a good experience at the Concorde provider for her initial AMI testing). Good luck to you!
 
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My DS received a waiver 2 yrs ago about his vision. I remember I responded all the following work very quickly. There is no such an appeal form,
We set up the Dr`s appointment urgently and send his test result and notes same day. After that, I made a phone call very often to the School and DoDMERB. I think we got the waiver in 2 or 3 weeks. Good luck!
 
Thank you for all the advice. I was hoping to take all MCT, pulmonary function tests, or exercise stress tests on behalf of the waiver authority requesting further information. I was shocked to see that I was straight denied, indicating maybe something has changed in the waiver process. Regardless, I aim to provide all information stating my perfect lung conditions with the tests above and elaborated doctor notes for this appeal.
 
Already answered tonight via email :wiggle:
 
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