Waiver Denied

Peter98053

5-Year Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2018
Messages
17
Heartbreaking news today. My DS got an LOE, was sent a "2Q" letter and got a MOC nomination. Unfortunately, he got a DQ for taking ADHD medicine, which was ended by the doctor 15 months ago. His doctor wrote a letter stating that he's been off the medicine because there were no longer any symptoms and he is confident he does not have ADHD any longer. The school wrote a letter stating that he never had extra time for testing or any accommodations.

The Field Regional Commander was nice enough about it, but wrote that the West Point surgeon reviewed the file and the letters but decided to deny the waiver. The surgeon wants to see my DS's performance for the full 24 months after he's been off the medication. It's unlucky and ironic that the DODMERB standard for DQ's switched from 12 to 24 months in May 2018.

Not sure if there's any appeal possibility now. The Field RC seemed pretty definitive with the news.

He's still going on his overnight visit to West Point. Applying after a year of college is a possibility, but it seems like such a long slog to start the entire process over again for him.

Thanks to all the posters on here, we've been picking up a lot of information over the last 18 months which has been very informative and helpful.
 
Sorry about the news. Some DQs just take time. I'm confident he can get another nom next year when it's not an issue. Meanwhile mimic the academies freshman year academics and knock it out of the park, after taking a few days to "grieve" and digest the news. Good luck to your DS. This is a difficult process but he'll be better situated next year with all they things he learned going through the process this year.
 
As devastating as this news is today, it wont be in a year. What I would recommend, is looking around at all the people who have sung the praises of their added year in college, before accepting an appointment as a re-applicant. It’s not “no”, but rather “not now”.

Or, reading all the posts about how their plan B turned into their best plan A. Grow where you are planted!

It’s devastating for sure, I get that. But it’s not the end of anything. Unless you want it to be. Reading other people’s journeys may help, and they are all over the forums. My personal favorite posts!!
 
Heartbreaking news today. My DS got an LOE, was sent a "2Q" letter and got a MOC nomination. Unfortunately, he got a DQ for taking ADHD medicine, which was ended by the doctor 15 months ago. His doctor wrote a letter stating that he's been off the medicine because there were no longer any symptoms and he is confident he does not have ADHD any longer. The school wrote a letter stating that he never had extra time for testing or any accommodations.

The Field Regional Commander was nice enough about it, but wrote that the West Point surgeon reviewed the file and the letters but decided to deny the waiver. The surgeon wants to see my DS's performance for the full 24 months after he's been off the medication. It's unlucky and ironic that the DODMERB standard for DQ's switched from 12 to 24 months in May 2018.

Not sure if there's any appeal possibility now. The Field RC seemed pretty definitive with the news.

He's still going on his overnight visit to West Point. Applying after a year of college is a possibility, but it seems like such a long slog to start the entire process over again for him.

Thanks to all the posters on here, we've been picking up a lot of information over the last 18 months which has been very informative and helpful.
Hi - DS is in the application process and just completed his DODMERB physical. DQ hasn’t come up yet, but I am assuming it will because he stated that he used low dose of focalin. Dr saw him for this last in Feb 2020, but he hasn’t used meds since June 2019 (used them for 6 months). Never used accommodations. Wondering what he can expect in the way of DODMERB and academy response to this on his medical history forms. Thank you
 
Not ADHD related, but I received confirmation today in my DoDMERB portal that my waiver request for USMA has been denied.

Does anyone know how likely it is for something to be denied by one waiver authority but approved by another?

I know it's possible, but I feel like it's not going to happen especially since I've received a waiver denial this early from one service academy. I've read the DoDMERB packet and have seen the part on speculation but if anyone has some anecdotal information about being medically denied from one academy, but accepted to another, that would be great!
 
Heartbreaking news today. My DS got an LOE, was sent a "2Q" letter and got a MOC nomination. Unfortunately, he got a DQ for taking ADHD medicine, which was ended by the doctor 15 months ago. His doctor wrote a letter stating that he's been off the medicine because there were no longer any symptoms and he is confident he does not have ADHD any longer. The school wrote a letter stating that he never had extra time for testing or any accommodations.

The Field Regional Commander was nice enough about it, but wrote that the West Point surgeon reviewed the file and the letters but decided to deny the waiver. The surgeon wants to see my DS's performance for the full 24 months after he's been off the medication. It's unlucky and ironic that the DODMERB standard for DQ's switched from 12 to 24 months in May 2018.

Not sure if there's any appeal possibility now. The Field RC seemed pretty definitive with the news.

He's still going on his overnight visit to West Point. Applying after a year of college is a possibility, but it seems like such a long slog to start the entire process over again for him.

Thanks to all the posters on here, we've been picking up a lot of information over the last 18 months which has been very informative and helpful.
Did he try Army ROTC? Different waiver authority.
 
MOM/DAD: Google "DoDMERB;" Hit "Questions on the process;" Read paragraph #4.



APPLICANT: Send me an email:
lawrence.e.mullen.civ@mail.mil; provide complete name and last 4 SSN; provide the text of your Parent's posting above to YOUR email. The subject line of the email should be “Peter98053 - SAF = Waiver Denied.“ Do NOT embed links in your email as I will not be able to view those. :wiggle:
 
Not ADHD related, but I received confirmation today in my DoDMERB portal that my waiver request for USMA has been denied.

Does anyone know how likely it is for something to be denied by one waiver authority but approved by another?

I know it's possible, but I feel like it's not going to happen especially since I've received a waiver denial this early from one service academy. I've read the DoDMERB packet and have seen the part on speculation but if anyone has some anecdotal information about being medically denied from one academy, but accepted to another, that would be great!
Mr. Mullen is THE AUTHORITY regarding this issue. Waivers are the sole responsibility of the individual Academies, DoDMERB only DQ's based on general ascension standards as published. Therefore, different Academies have differing standards for waivers and being denied by one does not always mean you will be denied by all. As @Army245bday noted, don't forget ROTC programs, they also have differing waiver standards.

IF a waiver is not possible this year (issues where time off meds or post surgical need to be met) attend college and take academy type classes and prepare yourself for next year. LOTS of students try even three times before acceptance, if you want it bad enough the time is insignificant in the Grand Scheme of things (thinking 20 years).
 
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