Maintain Copies Of Your Medical Records

Medical Conditions Normally Waiverable

August 14th, 2008

Part two of the what will and what won’t keep you out of the United States Navy medically (provided in the cases listed a waiver is granted). Part one discussed conditions that normally would not qualify for a waiver – this installment discusses the conditions in which a waiver may be granted.

If you appear to be, in all other respects, qualified for enlistment but reveal a history of one or more of the following common conditions you must be advised that the treatment records or a written summary from your private or attending physician will be of value to the examining Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) physician during the pre-enlistment physical examination and may reduce the possibility of temporary medical disqualification.

If you are considering a future in the armed forces there is no time like the present to start gathering the records of your medical past. The medical records will be sent to the MEPS in advance for a medical review so having them ready will save you a ton of time. Having the records may also preclude you from having to attend outsourced consultations which could ultimately delay even further your enlistment.

Please keep in mind this list is not all-inclusive.

Medical conditions which are normally considered waiverable (information consolidated from MEPCOM and COMNAVCRUITCOM Instructions);

  • History of Ophthalmologic Disorders such as excessive refractive error: +/- 8.00 diopters sphere, +/- 4.00 diopters cylinder. LASIK and PRK surgery to include preoperative refractive measurements. Note: PRK, LASEK, and LASIK are disqualifying if:
    • pre-surgery refractive error was greater than +-8 diopters
    • less than 6 months have passed since surgery
    • you still need medications or treatment stemming from the surgery
    • your eyes have not stabilized
    • you have not had an eye exam measuring refraction at least 3 months after the surgery
    • you have keratitis
    • you have corneal vascularization or opacification that puts your vision below enlistment standards
    • you have uveitis or iridocyclitis
  • History of Respiratory disorders such as childhood Asthma, Reactive Airway Disease or Exercise-Induced Asthma, pneumothorax (traumatic or spontaneous).
  • History of Orthopedic surgery or injury (ORIF, retained hardware, ACL or Arthroscopic, Bankhart repair, bunionectomy).
  • History of Gynecological disorders such as Endometriosis, Cervical Dysplasia, or abnormal PAP smear.
  • History of Cardiovascular disorders such as repaired congenital heart malformation or conductive disorder (WPW) treatment.
  • History of Abdominal/Gastrointestinal disorders such as Hernia repair (must be 60 days postoperative with release from care statement), GERD, hemorrhoids.
  • History of Neurological disorders such as back pain, surgery or asymptomatic mild Scoliosis, sleepwalking, childhood epilepsy, concussion.
  • History of Urinary disorders such as kidney stones, proteinuria, or childhood enuresis.
  • History of Psychiatric disorders such as mood, personality, conduct, or behavior disorder. History of ADD/ADHD with medication use. (Must provide medical treatment records/ transcripts regarding work or school performance after discontinuation of medication. Applicant must have been off medication for one year).
  • History of Dermatological disorders such as mild skin disorders (i.e., acne, pilonidal cyst, contact dermatitis, urticaria, and warts).
  • Hearing. Pure tone hearing loss at 500, 1000, 2000 Hz of not more than 30 db on average with no individual level greater than 35 db at these frequencies in either ear. Pure tone hearing loss at 3000 Hz of not more than 45 db and 4000 Hz not more than 55 db in either ear.

A note to everyone: The advice and prognostications I deliver in the comments and via email are based on my experiences, and only take into account the information you provide. I do not have the benefit of the “whole person.” So, please see a Recruiter, no matter what, and have your documentation sent to MEPS for a definitive review. I am not answering for the Navy!
Although rare, I have been known to be wrrree, wrea, wrong :)

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Read Comments (13)

13 Comments »

  • What about pigmentary dispersion syndrome? I don’t have a history of glaucoma but I do have this condition. Is there a possibility it can keep me from getting into the reserves?

    Comment by Heather Cooper — December 16, 2009 @ 8:27 pm

  • Heather,

    Because of the potential for glaucoma that the syndrome presents, I would think it disqualifying, but, to be sure, take your medical records to a local Recruiter so he/she can forward them to MEPS for a definitive review.

    Comment by NCCM(ret) — December 16, 2009 @ 10:22 pm

  • I have recently had a lumbar fusion of two vertebra, it was minimally invasive and I feel fine. I am almost done with my two year degree in physical therapy and am in great shape. I want to wait for a year and apply to the air force in hopes to getting a medical waiver passed for the fusion. I want nothing more but to be in the AF and do 20+ years. Do I have any chance if I work hard very hard on the ASVAB and physical conditioning. My surgeon said he would write me a personal letter saying that I am 110% and that I have no restrictions, again I am in great physical shape. Any advice would help, this is my dream.
    Thank you,

    Collin S.

    Comment by Collin Sciacca — January 19, 2010 @ 3:16 am

  • Collin,
    You say “recently”, I think you will have to wait the year you are proposing to wait anyway. If you experience no range of motion issues, I think you will have a pretty good chance of having a waiver approved by the Navy. I have no experience with the Air Force and their waiver process.

    Comment by NCCM(ret) — January 19, 2010 @ 3:23 pm

  • I appreciate your response, I want to make sure that I take my time and do things the right wat so I think I will wait a year to a year and a half. I’ve always wanted to join the AF but if I cant get in I will go down the list. (I will have to accept the fact that my dreams of being a pilot are over though) I’m almost 22 years old and see how hard it is to get by these days. I want nothing more than to serve my country and try to do everything I can for everyone who has done everything for me throughout history. Thank you for your advice and service.

    Comment by Collin Sciacca — January 19, 2010 @ 6:32 pm

  • Hi,

    I had spinal surgery last year for kyphosis. Basically I have 2 rods and 24 screws in my back to correct my abnormal curve. My orthopedic doctor told me I can do anything now. I am perfectly caplable of meeting all the physical/fitness requirements with out any problem.I want to be an accountant in the navy but from I have been reading online its seems like I will probably not get a medical waiver even if I meet the physical/fitness requirements. It just seems so unfair. Do you have any advice for me.

    Thank you

    Comment by Andrea — January 28, 2010 @ 8:43 pm

  • Andrea,

    I don’t think a waiver would be considered for the medical issue you have. Remember, it isn’t just about how you feel now – considerations must be made for how individuals with your similar situation may feel 10 even 20 years from now (range of motion, follow-up therapies, care, and medications).

    Comment by NCCM(ret) — January 28, 2010 @ 10:56 pm

  • I go to MEPS Monday I hoping I won’t have to get a medical waiver.I had ACL reconstruction 5 years ago but since then my knee has been great I have just completed my fifth year of college football, MEPS all my records already and I went to my doctor for a follw-up last month can he check me out xray n all and I was great he said and wrote on the follow-up that I was in great shape for the navy…so my question is what is the chance that I won’t have to get a waiver? because I’ve heard that process takes a long time!

    Comment by Will Adam — January 29, 2010 @ 11:51 am

  • Will,

    I have seen this go both ways. Either way, I don’t think you will have much problem (because of the ACL repair) in joining the Navy. Even if it becomes a waiver to CNRC, the turn around time should be relatively quick.

    Comment by NCCM(ret) — January 29, 2010 @ 12:33 pm

  • Hi

    I have a refractive error of -8.50 but my vision in both eyes correctable for the right is 20/30 and the left 20/40. What are the odds of getting a medical Waiver with this eyesight. Also Im planning on being an information systems tech.

    Comment by Raymond rembert — February 16, 2010 @ 8:37 am

  • Raymond,

    In my experience, I have not seen a waiver approved for a refractive error greater than 8.

    Comment by NCCM(ret) — February 16, 2010 @ 2:10 pm

  • NCCM,

    I am a 30yo college graduate and I’m seriously considering signing up. I’ve been doing some pretty intense research to make sure I’m qualified and have all the paperwork necessary and your site is the only one I’ve found with extensive information on the MEPS (maybe I’m just a worry-wort, but I like to be prepared). I’m in excellent physical health (former college track/x-country athlete, current triathlete) but don’t really have access to the medical records that are often referenced in your various posts and comments. When I’ve had to go to a doctor for some minor illness here or there, I just go to whichever doctor has an office closest to my home/job. I can’t recall the last time I went to the same doctor more than once. What are the requirements for submitting medical records? What if I don’t have any?

    Comment by K — March 11, 2010 @ 11:00 pm

  • K,
    If you haven’t had any issues, then you won’t need the documentation to explain them.

    Oh, if you do have that worry-wart removed, you will need the documentation to ensure it was benign – MEPS humor :)

    Comment by NCCM(ret) — March 11, 2010 @ 11:18 pm

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