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1,150 Responses to “Medical Conditions Normally Waiverable”
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Hi, I have been wondering about medical DQ’s regarding seeing a chiropractor. I have gone to a chiropractor around 10 times just to simply get readjusted because I had some stuff muscles in my back and neck. I had no medical problems with my back, no pain or anything just stiffness so I went there to get that adjusted. I was wanting to know if this is disqualifying from any branch of the military. Thanks.
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Hi, I processed through MEPS recently and passed my physical and everything else, but was automatically DQ’d because of some new regulation about collar bones. I broke my collar bone 6 years ago and had to have hardware put in because it was broken in two places and displaced. The CMO told me he would recommend me for a waiver, and I was cleared by the orthopedic doctor they sent me to for a consult. My recruiter just told me that I was medically rejected, how is the possible? I was told i could try another branch of the military but none of the recruiters i talked to will work with me because the CMO told one of them my condition is disqualifying, and they don’t seem to get that it is waiver-able. Do you have any advice? I have been extremely physically active since a few months after my surgery and don’t understand why i would get disqualified. My recruiter never even told me why.
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Steve,
A current CT scan would address both the hematoma and the fractures. -
Matt,
If you need a waiver, then you did not pass your physical (and the CMO who DQ’d you was correct that hardware in the clavicle is PDQ). If the waiver authority did not approve your waiver, then you annot join that service. Just because something CAN be waived, doesn’t mean that it WILL or MUST be waived. You can try another service. -
Austin,
There is no automatic disqualification for seeimg a chiropractor. -
So, no waivers or anything are required for this?
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Navydoc,
I am also having to get a waiver for hearing. I was pdq for this because I was 50db at 3000, 70db at 4000 and 50 db at 6000 in my left ear. However, since I was concerned about the noise during the testing at MEPS (ie. 4-6 recruits in sound booth, moving their feet, coughing, clearing throat, etc.)…that I saw a private doctor and had an audiogram done in his single person sound booth. The certified results of that were 30db at 3000, 20db at 4000, and 45db at 6000. I have submitted those results with my waiver. What do you think are the chances of the waiver being approved? -
jarhead01,
If you had independent testing done by your own doctor, you can submit those and then be authorized for a retest at the MEPS. Only MEPS audiograms are acceptable. -
At this point my recruiter has submitted the results with a waiver for the hearing. I was wondering what where the chances for the waiver being approved?
Thanks -
Navydoc,
If my hearing in my left ear is completly fine but I have no hearing in my right ear can I get a waiver for that or is that unwaiverable?
Thanks. -
Alyssa,
No. Deafness in either ear is PDQ, no matter how good the other ear is, and no service is likely to give a waiver. -
Hello, I was prescribed a nasal spray for congestion because of a sinus infection due to allergies to pollen. Is using this disqualifying from the military?
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NavyDoc,
I broke my fifth metatarsal in my right foot in 2008. I had surgery and had a screw put in my foot which is still in today. I made a full recovery returned to college football and I’m now looking to join the military. I have all my medical information and a letter from my doctor stating my foot is fully healed and healthy and that I would be fit for the military. Will I be PDQ’d because of my surgery? Is there anything else I can do to help my case?
Thank you for your advice.
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NavyDoc,
About a year and ago, I was having some mild heartburn problems, and I saw a gastroenterologist. On my medical documents from my scope (endo?/EGD?) it says moderate reflux esophagitis, but does not say GERD. I had a follow up at the gastro doc’s office about a year ago in which I saw the nurse practitioner there. On that report, it says Impressions: GERD with prior esophagitis. Since then, I have long discontinued use of the medicine (dexilant) that was prescribed to me, and the symptoms have completely disappeared. No tests were ran when I saw the nurse practitioner, but I believe she (and the gasto Doc beforehand) may have just put GERD because I told them I thought I had acid reflux. As I now live in a new city, I am seeing a new gastroenterologist this week to do conplete testing, and hopefully tell me that all issues have been resolved.
My main question is:
If this new report does indeed report that all issues have been resolved and I do not have GERD, will I be disqualified from Navy officer service? I really hope not as this issue was only minor heartburn in the first place, and now it has completely gone away. Thanks in advance.–Trey
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Also I was wondering how much access the military has to your medical records? Thanks again.
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J,
By coming to MEPS you authorize the release of any and all of your medical records. If you do not sign the release, then your processing is stopped and you cannot complete the enlistment process. As a practical matter, we don’t request records on every applicant. However, it is not uncommon for people to get caught in their lies of ommission when records are reviewed. Every basic recruit training center has very unhappy people who are being processed for their fraudulent enlistment after lying on their entrance medical exam. Don’t do it. -
Trey,
Moderate reflux esophagitis IS evidence of GERD (in other words, the gastroesophageal reflux disease caused esophagitis). You will need to submit your records for review. -
Thank you NavyDoc.
If I also submit these new favorable reports from a gastroenterologist that all medical issues have been resolved, do you believe I will receive an automatic disqualification? Thanks again.
Trey
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NavyDoc,
I submitted all of my medical documents to MEPs, but was listed as RBJ and told that I need to submit a “current PFT with pre, post exercise and post B.D. trials” for childhood asthma. I am trying to get the tests scheduled but the pulmonologist said they need to know what specific type of pulmonary function test I need (I hadn’t realized there were different kinds) and my recruiter has been unable to get an answer to this. Is there a standard test that I should have done?
Thank you,
Rick
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Navy Doc,
I would like your advice on my eligibility for commission through the DCO program. When I was 17, I attempted to enlist in the CG reserves and had a bit of an issue when I went to MEPS and was subsequently PDQ’d. The morning of the physical I was not feeling so great, and it continued to get worse as I progressed with the physical. When they took my pulse, it was 100bpm or greater and I was pulled aside at the end of the day and told that it was out of limits. However, the doctor told me to go to my personal doctor for 3 consecutive days and have my pulse and BP taken, and to resubmit later. I did as instructed, all was normal but I was still PDQ’d. I ended up going to the doctor upon my return from MEPS and was diagnosed with some kind of stomach flu and was running a temperature of 103, which he said was the cause of my rapid heart beat.
Skip ahead to today, and I am now trying to get into the Navy as a DCO. My current employment requires me to have an ECG every 6 months for the last 6 years, and all have been normal. Additionally, I have had an FAA flight physical for the last 16 year, and have the documentation showing that ever year, my pulse has been normal. I feel confident in saying that my tachycardia was not the result of any heart abnormality but I am concerned about what will happen at MEPS or even if I will be stopped in the pre-screening phase by answering yes to “rejected for military service because of medical reasons” on the DD 2808.
Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated.
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Rick,
You quoted exactly what you are supposed to get… Current pre and post exercise and pre and post bronchodilator pulmonary function tests. Methacholine challenge testing would also be acceptable if you have a history of allergic asthma. -
John,
Your past physical was done in accordance with the fitness standards that were in effect pre- 2011, where heart rate over 100 was PDQ no matter what the reason. Since then, the requirements/evaluation for tachycardia have changed. On the pre-screen (DD 2807-2), it will ask if you have ever been rejected for military service. You will answer yes, explain it just like you did here, and you should be good to go. -
Hi Navydoc,
My son was in the Navy DEP and was scheduled to depart for basics back Februrary 2013. He was going into the NUKE program as well. During the time while he was waiting, he had issues with a pilonidal cyst. He was requested to submit his medical records and it was reviewed by MEPS. The week before Christmas December 2012, he received a letter from MEPS saying that he was medically disqualified. Needless to say, he was very heartbroken. With a followup to the doctor, and without surgery and with home treatment, the cyst is now healed and we have a letter from the doctor indicating such. Can he still enlist in the military after a 6 month waiting period? Thanks in advance.
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I broke my fifth metatarsal in my right foot in 2008. I had surgery and had a screw put in my foot which is still in today. I made a full recovery returned to college football and I’m now looking to join the military. I have all my medical information and a letter from my doctor stating my foot is fully healed and healthy and that I would be fit for the military. Will I be PDQ’d because of my surgery? Is there anything else I can do to help my case?
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James,
Hardware is not PDQ unless it is painful, subject to easy trauma (ankle, clavicle and elbow hardware require waivers) or interferes with military equipment. -
I broke my index finger and had surgery 3 years ago. I currently have no pins. I sent my medical record up to MEPS and they okayed me to come up. Now they say I need a waiver but they did not tell me what to do? Should I go see my doc? The MEPS guy wrote he recommend the waiver.
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My son was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia and had ablation therapy two years ago. His recruiter asked that he see his cardiologist to determine his current status relative to this procedure after a 24 month window had passed. What questions/tests/documentation does my son need from his cardiologist, at this point, to satisfy the Navy’s inquiry ? There have been no recurrence of the tachycardia since the ablation. The postoperative diagnosis was “orthodromic reciprocating tachycardia AVRT due to left lateral accessory pathway”. Thanks.
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Daniel,
What were you PDQ’d for? You history of a finger surgery is not disqualifying, so there must be something else. Your doctor cannot override a CMO determination of medical fitness, so unless the CMO told to see you doctor, don’t waste your time and money. -
Gale,
SVT ablation is not DQ as long as it took place more than 12 months ago, current ECG’s are all normal, and no medication or treatment has been required sinc the procedure. Have your son’s physician do a current ECG, document that your son has been asymtpomatci and not required any treatment, and he should be good to go. -
My distal Phalanx is fused to the middle phalanx. My finger tip is fused to the second bone in my index finger. I can still make a fist and it does not hinder me in anyway. Also for some reason MEPS said I was allergic to Morphine but I am not. I looked at my medical charts and can’t figure out where they get that from.
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Daniel,
You will have to wait for a response from the service medical waiver authority. Again, going to your own physician at this point will not add anything to the process. -
Navy Doc,
Do you think this will be approved?
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Hello all! I went to MEPS w/ my recruiter and then had the medical evaluation and was DQ’d medically because of my ear drum being concave in form and not flat. The dc sent me to an ENT specialist and after further review of it they found that I had a cholesteatoma. It disintegrated my #2 and #3 bones in my ear. They did surgery and removed it. The also rebuilt my eardrum and I am hearing wonderfully. Can I be dq’d again and is it waiver-able?
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Hi, I am a college division 1 athlete who had ACL repair surgery in 2009. I haven’t had a problem with my knee since then and I plan to join the Navy after I’m done with school this summer. I had my surgery done in a different state that I reside in now, I never went back for pre, or post surgery. I had all my rehab done at my school and took numerous of physicals that were required. I was wondering what I could do about this and would it disqualify me even though very healthy ?
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William,
History of cholesteatoma is PDQ, even when repaired. It will not be considered for waiver until at least 6 months after the repair, and then it is up to the service. -
Jalisa,
Whether or not you will need a waiver will depend on what exactly was done during your ACL reconstruction. You will have to submit the surgical report for review. Generally, even if you need a waiver, if the knee is currently stable, it is granted. -
Are there any minimum standards for flexibility that if not met would be a DQ ? Touching your toes, sit and reach etc..? Thanks
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Hi Navy Doc,
I was told I need a waiver for finger. My distal Phalanx is fused to the middle phalanx. My finger tip is fused to the second bone in my index finger. I can still make a fist and it does not hinder me in anyway. Also for some reason MEPS said I was allergic to Morphine but I am not. I looked at my medical charts and can’t figure out where they get that from. The MEPS doc recommended me for the waiver and now I am just sitting and waiting. Any idea if this will be approved or how long. It has been 2 weeks so far.
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Gale,
There are no flexibility standards. However, if you are extremely stiff, you will not pass the ortho/neuro exam at MEPS. -
Daniel,
Waivers can take anywhere from a few days to a few months to process. I do not know the current MANMED waiverability likelihood of your condition. -
navydoc,
I ran into a new recruit tonight, and after talking for a bit, I found out that he was a Nuke candidate. I relayed my sons situation with his entrance issues, where the recruiter told him not to say anything about ADHD. As soon as I did, this young man told me a similar story, his recruiter told him not to say anything, that they only look 2 years back. I know this is false as they showed my son 9 years worth of medication history.
Why are recruiters allowed to set these kids up for failure, just so they can get a gold star for getting a Nuke recruit? -
Bill,
Recruiters are not “allowed” to encourage applicants to lie. When an applicant reports that a recruiter did so, the recruiter will be investigated and reprimanded, or even removed. However, it usually turns into a he said-she said situation where the two people involved point fingers at each other.
Bottom line, it is the applicant’s responsibility to tell the truth since it is the applicant’s signature on the line that swears they told the truth about there medical history.
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Hello, I have a question regarding ingrown toenails and the military view on this. Will I be disqualified for having an ingrown toenail during my trip to MEPS? And also, would I be disqualified for having a procedure done to fix the ingrown toenail? Thanks very much for your time and help.
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A,
Ingrown tonails must be treated and completely resolved (meaning no redness, swelling, pain or pus) before you can be qualified and/or ship to basic training. -
Hi Doctor,
First of all, thank you for offering advice and help like this. My question is about a PDQ for acne. The CMO at the station PDQ’d me for cystic facial acne, and noted that there was no acne present anywhere else (scalp/forhead/back/shoulders/chest etc) and that it was generally limited to my jawline. He also noted that I take no medicine for it. Fast forward 2 months, I’ve had my ear lavage cleaning, no issues and go to the CMO to have him update my form post-lavage- still no other disqualifications but the acne. He notices my acne has cleared up exceptionally well (exactly one zit on my face, no cysts), asks me if anything has changed, I inform him I made an appointment with a dermatologist who prescribed oral antibiotics for a 3 month period. He sort of just nodded, said “excellent” and didn’t write any of that down. So I guess I have a couple questions.
1. Don’t they need any records for my prescription? Or is it not a big deal? Will they want me to see a military dermatologist about it?
2. Do I have a decent chance at a waiver?
3. If denied a waiver, could I try another service? The regulations seem to state that acne is only an issue if “current”- it doesn’t say “history of” like most other disorders on AR40-501. So would the fact that it has cleared up with treatment make me eligible?
Thanks again for your assistance.
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Alex,
You cannot be qualified if you are currently be on medication for acne. If you stop the medication (on the advice of your dermatologist) and the acne does not return, then you may be qualified. Waivers for acen that is currently being treated are not generally granted. -
Hi Doctor,
Wow, thanks for the quick response, I appreciate it. I figured I couldn’t go in as long as I was being treated, medication isn’t allowed in basic training according to everything I read. I guess I’ll just do the three months of treatment and hope that takes care of it and re-apply, assuming my waiver is denied. How should I go about formally reporting my medication to MEPS, since they don’t seem to have noted it anywhere? Just ask my recruiter to tell them?
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Oh and a follow up, sorry to pester- when you say that if I complete treatment and it doesn’t return I “may be qualified” do you mean I may be qualified for a waiver, or qualified straight up, no waiver needed? Sorry for the repeated questions and thanks again!
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Alex,
If the acne resolved and you are off all treatment for 3-6 months without recurrence, you would not need a waiver.
sorry for asking so many questions….i forgot to say in my first post that i had several skull fractures 12 years ago when this happened. the doctor said they were healed. if i got a an mri or ct scan or whatever is needed to determine that these healed would i be ok?
PS: the scan for the hematoma was done less than a year after the diagnosis, so i know i will need to get another scan for that but will i need another scan for the skull fractures