<p>Does anyone know what someone's chances of getting appointed if they have a history of mild asthma. Son has allergies and is now finishing 5 years of allergy shots. Asthma is pretty much gone. He wants to go to an academy so bad.</p>
<p>"Asthma, including reactive airway disease, exercise-induced bronchospasm, or asthmatic bronchitis after the 13th birthday" is a DODMERB DQ. (D241.30)</p>
<p>"History of allergy immunotherapy within the previous year" is a DODMERB DQ.(D123.21)</p>
<p>List</a> of DODMERB Disqualifications</p>
<p>Waivers are granted, don't give up hope before he tries.</p>
<p>:cool:</p>
<p>First off, I'm a parent, not a medical practitioner. However, been down that road with my Mid.....</p>
<p>If your son has had any symptoms or treatment past age 13, DoDMERB must DQ him, then let the waiver decision process occur for each academy or ROTC program that he's pursuing. Chances of getting a waiver will depend on the severity of symptoms, how long it's been since there have been any symptoms or treatment, etc. Each waiver authority can come up with a different answer, i.e., NROTC may allow a waiver even if USNA does not, for the very same candidate.</p>
<p>Each waiver authority (USNA, for instance) can (but may not) ask for additional information or medical testing beyond the basic info and DoDMERB exam that all candidates receive. They seem more likely to request tests for candidates who are likely to be offered an appointment, but I do not know that that is a fact. Specifically for asthma, if additional testing is requested, it's going to be either a standard pulmonary function test (PFT) or a methacholine challenge test (MCT). In the PFT, the person being tested inhales as hard and rapidly as possible, then exhales as fully as possible, using a machine that measures their performance. The MCT is a PFT that is repeated several times. For each repetition, the person being tested must inhale a medication that is known to induce asthma attacks in someone who has asthma. There is a lot of information about each of these tests on various sites on the web.</p>
<p>What year is your son? Is he trying for the class starting this July, or a later year? The younger he is, the better his chances.</p>
<p>No one (that I'm aware of) on this site is qualified to do other than quote the regs, as has already been done. Your best bet is to contact Mr. Larry Mullen at DoDMERB. </p>
<p>Larry Mullen
Deputy Director, Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB)
8034 Edgerton Drive, Suite 132
USAFA, CO 80840-2200
PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT IS EMAIL 24/7/365 = <a href="mailto:Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil">Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil</a></p>
<p>Thank you for your reply. My son is entering his senior year of high school. He has finished his allergy shots, April 09. He was regularly prescribed his Albuterol inhaler, but really didn’t need it. The immuno-therapy has changed everything. He did have a Methacholine test 2 weeks ago and made it past the 3rd level, but then they had to stop. He is a very active 17 year old, and a 3 season athlete. I guess he will continue with his application process.</p>
<p>Just make sure he has alternative plans in place.
Best of luck.</p>
<p>Mr Mullen can give you the straight scoop. If you haven’t contacted him, I would urge you to do so.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I second what 2012mom said: contact Larry Mullen. Even if you don’t have any specific questions right now, open a dialog. He works very hard to make the DoDMERB process open and transparent. You will NOT regret making contact with Mr. Mullen.</p>