What are the chances of getting medical waivers for asthma and a labrum tear for USMA?

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User19770

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I did my medical examinations in August and am now in a waiver process for both asthma and a labrum tear. After sending in documents and pharmacy records while in the remedial phase, I was sent my DQ in early September.
I have not had any symptoms of asthma since I was a really young kid, but during covid my dad ordered inhaler prescriptions in my name to have on hand. I never used or needed them.
I tore my labrum in May of 2022 and got surgery that July. Following 6 months of rehab, I was cleared for everything including wrestling and weightlifting.
I just got an LOA today and wanted to know what are my chances of getting waivers? Does the LOA help in any way? I would appreciate any assistance here. Thank you.
 
My understanding is that an LOA does not impact the waiver process - the medical evaluation and the standards are consistent regardless of the candidate. However, the LOA should be an indication of a waiver being requested on your behalf by the SA, unless they have already notified you of a waiver request. If so, then you just need to work through it and have confidence knowing it is a very thorough process.
 
User19770 said:
I did my medical examinations in August and am now in a waiver process for both asthma and a labrum tear. After sending in documents and pharmacy records while in the remedial phase, I was sent my DQ in early September.
I have not had any symptoms of asthma since I was a really young kid, but during covid my dad ordered inhaler prescriptions in my name to have on hand. I never used or needed them.
I tore my labrum in May of 2022 and got surgery that July. Following 6 months of rehab, I was cleared for everything including wrestling and weightlifting.
I just got an LOA today and wanted to know what are my chances of getting waivers? Does the LOA help in any way? I would appreciate any assistance here. Thank you.
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Realize all commissioning sources have different waiver authorities, so decisions may not be the same.

The WA will probably be requesting pulmonary function studies. What could help is a note from your private doctor that says he/she has been treating you for "x" number of years and you haven't had signs or symptoms of asthma since age "y." That same doctor may further clarify the use of an inhaler for COVID symptoms and not for asthma. Hopefully, your dad isn't your own doctor because that has less sway with the medical reviewers. You did mention your dad ordered inhaler prescriptions in your name. My dad is a doctor too, but he had his friends order me meds if I needed any. :oops: If you pass a pulmonary function test or MCT, then you've got a good chance for a waiver. If you play a sport and no signs or symptoms of airway hyperresponsiveness, then that is favorable for a waiver too.

As for the labral tear and repair, the medical reviewers are big on "trial of life." If you got your surgery in July in 2022, then, hopefully, you've played a sport in fall, winter, and/or spring 2022-2023 and this fall to prove your shoulder is fine. No, chess isn't a sport in the eyes of the medical reviewers even though the IOC says it is. What the medical reviewers are looking for is participating in sports that abduct and externally rotate your shoulder so as to stress the joint and demonstrating no issues. Sports like baseball (if you throw with the same hand/shoulder with the injury, wrestling, swimming, football, etc...). If you do that, then you've got a good chance for a waiver.

Good luck!
 
While it's already been stated that every case is different and every SA looks at each case differently, my daughter (Class of 27 USAFA) had ACL reconstruction in May 2022. She returned to her sport that fall (with some restrictions), and multiple sports by spring 2023. She received an LOA, was DQed medically, and ended up receiving a waiver and securing an appointment. It was a process--but she submitted all requested information and hoped for the best. It is possible! Best of luck!
 
GoCubbies said:
Realize all commissioning sources have different waiver authorities, so decisions may not be the same.

The WA will probably be requesting pulmonary function studies. What could help is a note from your private doctor that says he/she has been treating you for "x" number of years and you haven't had signs or symptoms of asthma since age "y." That same doctor may further clarify the use of an inhaler for COVID symptoms and not for asthma. Hopefully, your dad isn't your own doctor because that has less sway with the medical reviewers. You did mention your dad ordered inhaler prescriptions in your name. My dad is a doctor too, but he had his friends order me meds if I needed any. :oops: If you pass a pulmonary function test or MCT, then you've got a good chance for a waiver. If you play a sport and no signs or symptoms of airway hyperresponsiveness, then that is favorable for a waiver too.

As for the labral tear and repair, the medical reviewers are big on "trial of life." If you got your surgery in July in 2022, then, hopefully, you've played a sport in fall, winter, and/or spring 2022-2023 and this fall to prove your shoulder is fine. No, chess isn't a sport in the eyes of the medical reviewers even though the IOC says it is. What the medical reviewers are looking for is participating in sports that abduct and externally rotate your shoulder so as to stress the joint and demonstrating no issues. Sports like baseball (if you throw with the same hand/shoulder with the injury, wrestling, swimming, football, etc...). If you do that, then you've got a good chance for a waiver.

Good luck!
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My dad is not a doctor. What I meant was that the doctor offered to refill prescriptions and my dad said yes, even though I didn't need it. He was just preparing in case COVID had a severe impact. The prescriptions haven't even been used; they are just stored in a medicine cabinet.
As far as the shoulder goes, I have wrestled and done weight lifting with no problem at all.
I really appreciate your assistance. This information is very helpful.
Thank you so much.
 
KitKat25 said:
While it's already been stated that every case is different and every SA looks at each case differently, my daughter (Class of 27 USAFA) had ACL reconstruction in May 2022. She returned to her sport that fall (with some restrictions), and multiple sports by spring 2023. She received an LOA, was DQed medically, and ended up receiving a waiver and securing an appointment. It was a process--but she submitted all requested information and hoped for the best. It is possible! Best of luck!
Click to expand...
Great, thank you so much.
 
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