Waiver Timeframe?

LizzieMac said:
Hello all,
I know this thread is kind of old but I really could use some help. My son has received a 4 year NROTC scholarship but has just been informed that he was medically DQed because of D226.40 Current or history of osteochondral defect, formerly known as osteochondritis dissecans. He is 17 years old and has been fully clear of this problem (as evidenced in all the xrays and medical records we sent to DoDmerb) since he was 12. He runs varsity track and is a catcher on his baseball team. He has no problems at all with his knee. He is awaiting a medical waiver. How long does this take? I've seen in the above thread 2 weeks to 6 months. Will we hear anything or will it really be a problem for six months? Any ideas? Thank you.
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It can definitely take that long. There have even been some scholarship recipients who have reported to the NROTC unit for fall semester without the waiver having been approved. We were not willing to gamble with that when we ran into medical review issues for DD, as if the waiver is ultimately disapproved, then your son is on the hook to pay the tuition. Our DD started her medical process in December and she was not finally approved until April 30th, the day before college commitments had to be made. It was very stressful, but it all worked out in the end.
 
Thanks. USMAROTCFAMILY. I hope it's not that long and it's a little discouraging to think we may have to live with this uncertainty for so long. We will just hope for the best. Thank you so much for your insight.
 
LizzieMac said:
Thanks. USMAROTCFAMILY. I hope it's not that long and it's a little discouraging to think we may have to live with this uncertainty for so long. We will just hope for the best. Thank you so much for your insight.
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LizzieMac have you ever heard back about the waiver. Think my son will be in a similar situation.
 
Waiver Notification
I am applying to USMA and I just found out that my DoDMERB status is: disqualified...The only possible reasons I can see are a traumatic patellar dislocation this fall--recovered, or cold induced asthma--controlled and no problems.
If I were not to get a waiver will I receive any sort of notification or do I just assume I'm not getting one?
 
You might email/call DoDMERB Monday and ask if they are going to ask for any "remedials." If the answer is "yes" -- then comply with those instructions. If the answer is "no" or "we need to hear from USMA" then recommend you email your West Point Admissions Regional Commander and very respectfully inform them that you are aware of your DQ and ask if they plan to pursue a medical waiver on your behalf.
 
Falcon,

The letter should state something akin to R. 123.
~ R is for remedial. ArmyAFsister will not need to contact them because it is an R , they will send them the additional paperwork regarding what is needed now. AKA..go to a specialist or just send more info from their family doc.

I do agree with your comment that they should contact the Regional and ask if USMA will pursue a waiver.
 
Pima -- concur that it is probably a remedial, but I have found DoDMERB to be very helpful when contacted directly by email or phone.
 
nikell said:
LizzieMac have you ever heard back about the waiver. Think my son will be in a similar situation.
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Yes. My son received his waiver for the osteochondritis on November 6, 2015 from the NROTC authority. He was DQ'ed on October 13, 2015. It was MUCH quicker than we expected and we are very grateful.
 
My son has just received his AROTC 3 year letter. He was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse when he was 3 and was dismissed by the cardiologist when he was 5...Do we even list it? He was also diagnosed with allergies when he was 4 and dismissed when he was 6 (after allergy shots for 2 years). Do we even list it?
 
Curious -- I am not a doctor.

IMHO a good guideline to use on whether to report an issue is whether you had to go to a doctor/emergency room for a diagnosis/treatment/prescription and it is documented somewhere in the candidate's medical record. (If you don't declare an "issue" and later your DS is dismissed for a medical issue you should have declared, they can come after you financially -- probably low probability, but they can.)

Here is the link to the document DoDMERB will use to determine whether "qualified" or "DQ": http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf

Check out pages 18 through 21 regarding the mitral valve prolapse. Item 12.b. on page 19 seems positive for your DS

Pages 36 through 40 probably applies to the allergies. Would recommend you put the details of the allergies diagnosis at age 4, treatment with shots for 2 years and then the pronouncement of "cure" at age 6 in the remarks section of the DoDMERB form.

DoDMERB will probably want to see the medical records on both issues. Don't send the material until (or if) they ask for it, but go ahead and find those records and get a copy if you can so you or the doctor can provide when asked.
 
ROTC DQ issues automatically go to the waiver board. DODMERB DQs are based on a list. There are certain conditions that if there is any history they must DQ. They do not wiggle room. They send the whole file to the waiver board. They will ask for information for the file before they send it. Often letters from Doctors and statements signed by the applicant. Anything you want the waiver board to know should be in those documents.
Other issues not on the DQ list DODMERB can "clear". My son is going through this process right now. When completing the forms go into as much detail as possible to reduce the chances they will ask for more information.
 
So: any allergy should be reported. Will try to have allergist do challenge prior to exam.
 
Curious question: would having protracted hiccups be considered waiver-able? I began hiccuping in December 2015 and stopped January 2017, along the way I had a brain MRI which revealed no anomalies and then in July/August 2015 I took a migraine medication (Topamax) to help with the condition- I stopped the meds in mid- August. Currently, there are no strange side effects or complications- yet I am worried that having it on my record may prevent me from ROTC/SA admission.
 
hockeygirl said:
Curious question: would having protracted hiccups be considered waiver-able? I began hiccuping in December 2015 and stopped January 2017, along the way I had a brain MRI which revealed no anomalies and then in July/August 2015 I took a migraine medication (Topamax) to help with the condition- I stopped the meds in mid- August. Currently, there are no strange side effects or complications- yet I am worried that having it on my record may prevent me from ROTC/SA admission.
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Sift through http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf. I have not seen hiccups as a disqualifying condition. Check with your medical records and see what your physician recorded as a diagnosis.
 
5Day said:
Sift through http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/613003p.pdf. I have not seen hiccups as a disqualifying condition. Check with your medical records and see what your physician recorded as a diagnosis.
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Opinion needed: My son is scheduled for elective middle ear surgery and I thought we would definitely be on the path for a waiver. According to this list it is a disqualifying issue, does that mean a waiver wouldn't be attainable? Also, because this is in his medical records is he now screwed even if he doesn't have the surgery?
 
my3sonsga -- I am NOT a doctor

DoDI 6130.03 is what DoDMERB will use to decide whether your DS is "qualified" medically or "DQ"

Item 6.e on pg 14 seems to indicate that the DoDMERB would determine "DQ" but that is not the same as a "medical waiver" -- a "DQ" would mean your DS would now need a medical waiver from the SA or ROTC medical waiver authority. I'm sure you've heard, each case is different and evaluated separately on the details and facts of that case. It is also very possible to get a waiver from one waiver authority (i.e., USMA or Army ROTC) and be denied by another waiver authority (i.e., USAFA or AFROTC) for the exact same issue. Only way to find out is to complete the process of application.

The fact that the issue (whatever the issue is) is in his medical record probably means it should be reported on the DoDMERB form. (If a known medical issue is not reported on the DoDMERB form and your DS gets an SA appointment or ROTC scholarship, but is later found to be not medically qualified and is discharged, the Service can come after you for the money they spent on the scholarship. )

I would assume the correction of the issue via surgery would be viewed in a better light by the medical waiver authority than the original issue itself.
 
The "sticky" threads are intended to house general information of value to all participants. It is better to start a new thread in the discussion area if you have specific questions to avoid confusion and jumbling of the sticky area.
 
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