Who decides the waiver?

[Lotties mom]

Daughter has ADHD, had to send in all therapist notes, etc. While all progress notes are positive, because there was a mention of cutting (an incident in 7th grade) they have added to her DQ list for self mutilation. WHO decides the waiver and does anyone read the actual notes? All the notes from her dr are positive, created healthy habits, etc. She HAS NO self mutilation issues. What was the point of sending in the notes and exposing her if they were only going to add on? Could one incident from the 7th grade actually tank her?

 

[FMHS-79]

Daughter has ADHD, had to send in all therapist notes, etc. While all progress notes are positive, because there was a mention of cutting (an incident in 7th grade) they have added to her DQ list for self mutilation. WHO decides the waiver and does anyone read the actual notes? All the notes from her dr are positive, created healthy habits, etc. She HAS NO self mutilation issues. What was the point of sending in the notes and exposing her if they were only going to add on? Could one incident from the 7th grade actually tank her?

The DoDMERB has a very well defined (and fairly black / white) set of criteria to determine which conditions generate a DQ flag. Once an applicant is DQ'd then it is up to each commission source (e.g. USNA, AROTC) to determine if a waiver will be issued. Given the uncontrolled and stressful conditions that officers are likely to be placed in, ADHD and similar conditions are reviewed very carefully to make sure that it will not put applicant or individual's in the applicants unit at incremental risk.

 

[Lotties mom]

Daughter has ADHD, had to send in all therapist notes, etc. While all progress notes are positive, because there was a mention of cutting (an incident in 7th grade) they have added to her DQ list for self mutilation. WHO decides the waiver and does anyone read the actual notes? All the notes from her dr are positive, created healthy habits, etc. She HAS NO self mutilation issues. What was the point of sending in the notes and exposing her if they were only going to add on? Could one incident from the 7th grade actually tank her?

The DoDMERB has a very well defined (and fairly black / white) set of criteria to determine which conditions generate a DQ flag. Once an applicant is DQ'd then it is up to each commission source (e.g. USNA, AROTC) to determine if a waiver will be issued. Given the uncontrolled and stressful conditions that officers are likely to be placed in, ADHD and similar conditions are reviewed very carefully to make sure that it will not put applicant or individual's in the applicants unit at incremental risk.

I completely understand this; however, she is not "at risk". She requires no special accommodations. My question is Does the academy see all of the documentation we send or do they just base it on the info provided by DodMerb. All the evidence we have from her physician, therapist etc actually are POSITIVES. Will someone actually read those?

 

[GoCubbies]

Daughter has ADHD, had to send in all therapist notes, etc. While all progress notes are positive, because there was a mention of cutting (an incident in 7th grade) they have added to her DQ list for self mutilation. WHO decides the waiver and does anyone read the actual notes? All the notes from her dr are positive, created healthy habits, etc. She HAS NO self mutilation issues. What was the point of sending in the notes and exposing her if they were only going to add on? Could one incident from the 7th grade actually tank her?

Waiver authorities are the ones who decides on the waiver. The WAs (if not medical professionals themselves) have medical specialists who review the notes and make a recommendation to the WA. In almost all cases, the WA will follow the recommendation of the medical professionals.

If you've been asked to provide remedial information by DODMERB, then the reviewers will read all the notes to see if, maybe, they can qualify at the DODMERB level.

If the condition is DQ'ed at the DODMERB level and the SA or ROTC decides to pursue a waiver, then all the notes will be read by the medical professionals at the individual services. If the notes aren't sufficient, then the service-level waiver reviewer may ask for additional info. It is after all the info is provided and read that the waiver reviewer can make an informed recommendation to the waiver authority.

 

[UHBlackhawk]

At USMA the doctors who make recommendations on waivers are military physicians who take no pride in being “dream crushers” but who also understand the physical and mental rigors of being a military officer. But, without going into details, they are not the final authority. They make recommendations based on the medical side but other officers have the final say.