<p>My son is working his way through the admissions/medical process. We knew he had some “items” that would probably require a waiver. We have supplied requested remedial information, supporting documentation, etc. Now the DoDMERB web site has a notation that says “non-rebuttal code”. What does this mean? The straight-forward explanation is that you simply can’t rebut this issue. Does it mean that it can’t be waivered? What are the chances of success with a waiver? Is it more of a “discouraging tactic”? Or am I simply being paranoid? Anything special he should do with this?</p>
<p>You can always try, but there are simply some things that they won't bother to waiver--they can afford to be selective when you get 10 times more applicants than available slots... give it try anyway. Nothing to lose.</p>
<p>Docfrance,
You say some conditions are more easily waived than otherswhat about sinusitis? Does it help to get a letter from his doctor or a specialist as to the severity of this condition? DoDMERB has a copy of his CAT scans, but our doctor remarked that there was nothing that really jumped out at you on them. However, the radiologist made a comment that I think may have caused problems. Would it be worth the time to have them re-read and a 2nd opinion included on them when we send a letter for a waiver?</p>
<p>What about copies of the specific incidences in his medical record (I dont think they sound as bad in context)? </p>
<p>I know that a lot of it comes down to how badly they want your child and how many other kids there are with waivers out there, but I dont want to leave any stone unturned in the process. We have been successful in a previous rebuttal attempt and have supplied all remedial information as required.</p>
<p>That is now the single disqualification on my sons record (and eyesight at the USNA). I went back through his medical records and can find only 2 real instances of this notation since he was 12 years old. One is acute sinusitis from summer 03 and one (clinical sinusitis) is from the summer 99. Both cleared up easily with antibiotics. </p>
<p>flyingmom</p>
<p>I am not a medical expert and have never helped anyone directly file for a waiver. the only advice I can give is to not accept no for an answer until this year's class has reported. Keep trying. Keep trying. I don't know the steps, forms, or process, just that it's more often the persistent that triumph. How did the report of sinusitis ever get in his application anyway?</p>
<p>That is kind of interesting. He responded no to the sinusitis question on his initial exam, because we honestly didn't remember that ever being a problem. We tried to be very upfront because we knew he had some issues that would require a waiver or something, but we didn't know our way through the whole process. Our thinking was it would be very bad to not be honest on the medical when you are applying to a place that values honor so highly. We prepared a written page to respond to any yes answers because we knew it would be time-consuming to make those responses at the doctor's office and we wanted our son to be correct in what he said.</p>
<p>As a result of the initial exam, one of the remedials required that we send in ALL of our son's medical records since birth. He completed all of the remedials in that letter and waited to hear more. </p>
<p>Hearing more meant another set of remedials including a CAT scan of his sinuses (probably based on a history of allergies). We were told that his CAT scan indicated some minimal changes, but shouldn't be a problem. </p>
<p>Which brings us to the current situation. I assume that either the CAT scan or an office visit two years ago (resulting in a sinusitis diagnosis, which cleared up easily with antibiotics) was the trigger for the DQ. It has not been a chronic or re-occuring problem.</p>
<p>We plan to get a 2nd opinion to include with the waiver requests and just take it one step at a time. </p>
<p>I'm sure there are people out there that say to not bring up certain items and I can see their point--especially after the reams of information we have had to produce. However, I think the consequences for being caught not disclosing information (basically lying) would be far worse.</p>
<p>Do you or anyone else out there have any ideas on this for us? Are we on the right track? I'm a pilot myself, so I understand the concern; however, he just doesn't seem to have that big of a problem.</p>
<p>I know that at USNA, a midshipman can be separated for "failure to disclose" on the initial medical inquiry, if a medical problem occurs later and there had been a history of it which had not been reported. If all medical records were requested, then that's what should be done. I agree to keep pursuing the waiver. On either the USNA or West Point site, Kate Lewis has posted a web link which outlines the medical waiver/disqualification rebuttal process. There was even a candidate diagnosed with asthma who got a waiver by submitting certain medical tests outlined at the site.</p>
<p>Good luck in your pursuit.
CM</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragement! We will keep plugging away!</p>