Medical Conditions Normally Not Waiverable

Medical Issues Not Normally Waivered

August 13th, 2008

Many people who are considering the United States Navy as an option wonder if there may be some mental or physical condition from their past which may preclude them from serving. This post is the first of a two part series which will talk about medical conditions and possibly answer your “would I make it with” questions. Today I will list the medical issues/conditions which will not be considered for a waiver.

For those issues with time conditions they are listed as such - like a severe head injury has a five year waiting period, the waiting period is in place to reduce the possibility there were no long term effects from the injury. Conditions that become aggravated while serving on active duty could in the long run be considered “service connected” which in turn could lead to future disability benefits. By restricting some known medical issues, such as the ones listed below, will ultimately save the tax payers money.

Generally the Navy will not waive the following conditions (conditions listed in COMNAVCRUITCOMINST 1130.8H);

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS Related Complex (ARC), HIV Antibody, or history of any of the above.
• Single kidney – regardless of cause.
• Loss of an arm or leg.
• Seizure disorder with seizure and/or medication within five years.
• History of Cancer with treatment within five years (except basal cell carcinoma).
• Diabetes Mellitus Type I or Type II.
• Loss of one eye.
• History of Cataract surgery.
• History of any Keratoconus (protrusion of the cornea).
• History of Glaucoma.
• Refractive Surgery: Radial Keratotomy.
• History of Aphakia (lens replacement of the eye).
• Severe Allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) to insects or food.
• Cirrhosis.
• Corneal transplant history.
• Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (Intestinal ulcers).
• Severe deformities of the mouth, throat, or nose that interfere with speech or mastication of ordinary food.
• Severe Scoliosis (spine curvature) or Kyphosis (“hunchback”).
• History of eating disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia.
• Headaches, recurrent, severe, which require prescription medication or interfere with daily activity.
• Hepatitis, chronic: Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C carrier.
• Malignant Hyperthermia/Hyperpyrexia (adverse reaction to anesthesia).
• Multiple Sclerosis (nerve disease involving muscle weakness and uncoordination) and Muscular Dystrophy (progressive atrophy/wasting of the muscles).
• Severe orthopedic injuries that result in functional limitations secondary to residual muscle weakness, paralysis, or marked decreased range of motion.
• Otitis Media (middle ear infection/inflammation), chronic or currently active.
• Pes Cavus (abnormally high arches of the feet with increased extension of the toes), severe, symptomatic (other than routine orthotic use).
• Pneumonectomy, removal of entire lung.
• Pregnancy (except for prior service processing for affiliation).
• Prosthetic replacement of joints.
• Psychiatric Conditions: Schizophrenia; Major Depression, recurrent; Bipolar Disorder; Panic disorders; Sexual disorders; and Personality disorders, severe.
• History of Retinal disease or detachment.
• Undescended testicle unless surgically removed or confirmed to be congenital absence.
• Chronic skin disorders. Atopic dermatitis, Eczema, Psoriasis.
• Spinal Fusion, greater than two vertebral spaces, congenital or surgical involving any number of vertebrae, by any method.
• History of drug and/or alcohol abuse or diagnosed substance dependence.
• History of Neurofibromatosis.
• Congenital (birth) heart defects that have not been repaired.
• History of intestinal bypass or stomach stapling.
• Severe head injury within the past five years.
• Latex allergy.
• liver function study. Dosage strength of steroids used must also be documented. Use of steroids longer that two months before enlistment application is not medically disqualifying; however, any indication of high steroid dosage and/or chronic use must have internal medicine consultation to evaluate late or residual steroid effects.

• Anabolic Steroid Use. Any person admitting steroid use within the previous two months is not enlistment eligible. The Chief Medical Officer at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) may consider waivers on an individual basis after attaining internal medicine consultation or appropriate history. If a waiver is recommended, request must be forwarded to Navy Recruiting Command Medical. Send the following test results for waiver consideration:

1. microscopic urinalysis and
2. liver function study. Dosage strength of steroids used must also be documented. Use of steroids longer that two months before enlistment application is not medically disqualifying; however, any indication of high steroid dosage and/or chronic use must have internal medicine consultation to evaluate late or residual steroid effects.