<p>This is my first post and I am not familiar with all of the lingo so please be patient with me. My son is a HS senior who has applied to the Naval Academy as well as a NROTC scholarship. He just received notification last week that he has received a Congressional nomination for all of the Service Academies. He has yet to hear about a nomination from our State's Senator with whom he had an interview 2 weeks ago.</p>
<p>So far so good, except now he has to get past a hurdle with DoDMERB. He had his physical this past June and he disclosed that he was born with a cleft palate and was diagnosed with Pierre Robin syndrome, which, in laymen's terms is a recessed jaw. He had several surgeries when he was an infant and child for repairs. His jaw was only slightly recessed and grew out naturally, no medical intervention was required. He also had numerous surgeries to have tubes in his left ear due to complications which are often associated with a cleft palate. Please note that he did not have a cleft lip, only a cleft palate. He is by all accounts a perfectly "normal" young man!</p>
<p>DodMERB requested additional information regarding his cleft palate repairs and Pierre Robin. All information was sent and they have now requested that he have a follow-up with a DoDMERB physician. Apparently they want to be certain that a gas mask will fit over his mouth and that he can drink from a straw!</p>
<p>In the interim of sending all of this paperwork, he had a routine visit with his ENT whom he has seen since childhood. Knowing of his intent of wanting to joing the military his surgeon felt a tympanectomy was needed to correct a perforation in his ear drum. My son received a second opinion and 3 weeks ago he went ahead and had surgery. The surgery was successful and ongoing issues he has had over his young life are hopefully resolved once and for all.</p>
<p>Interestingly enough at his original physical my son asked the Doc about his ear and he only stated that it was notably different and apparently reported nothing to DodMERB.</p>
<p>Finally, my question is this, when should this surgery be pointed out to DoDMERB. My son is going for a follow-up with a DoDMERB doctor on the 8th and his follow-up with his surgeon is the 16th. Should we reschedule DodMERB until after his post-op visit on the 16th and explain the situation to the DoDMERB doctor and take information regarding his surgery? Or, should we contact DoDMERB directly?</p>
<p>I apologize for being so lengthy on my first post but I think it's somewhat of a unique situation and I wanted to tap in to this vast wealth of knowledge!</p>
<p>Sounds like you're well along getting these issues straightened away and that w/ the MOC nom, he needs no others. Should he receive senatorial noms,that's simply a plus, but non-essential. Congrats and best of luck to your son. Sounds like top-shelf!</p>
<p>But ... I must say you've confused :confused: with one of your points ...</p>
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He is by all accounts a perfectly "normal" young man!
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<p>So which is he ...perfect or "normal"?? ;) Go get 'em!</p>
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Finally, my question is this, when should this surgery be pointed out to DoDMERB.
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<p>I believe all surgeries etc must be reported to DoDMERB. I would think that sooner is better than later as if DoDMERB does have a problem with it, it gives you more time for remedial's and/or a waiver. The last thing you want is to disclose after receiving an appointment and then end up with a disqualification for some reason and be out of time to get it resolved.</p>
<p>This post actually brings about another important point. Once someone has had their DODMERB physical I HIGHLY recommend not having any surgeries or other procedures performed except for those that are due to emergencies or absolutely necessary. By having a surgery that close to reporting can cause all sorts of problems.</p>
<p>kp2001 - I agree completely that surgery should only be performed if it is an emergency and/or absolutely necessary. </p>
<p>Much consideration was given and a second opinion was obtained before a decision was made to have this surgery. In fact, if he had not had the surgery, in all likelihood he may have been medically disqualified.</p>
<p>I went back and re-read the original post and had misread it the first time. I had for some reason thought he had already been cleared by DODMERB, but your original post makes it pretty clear that he is in the remediation phase. </p>
<p>Didn't mean to sound like I was necessarily directing the comments only to your situation, but rather a general comment. Hopefully all will go well for you guys....I know it's a stressful time for everyone.</p>
<p>I contacted Dodmerb today and spoke with a gentleman who was very helpful. Had my son not had the surgery to correct the perforation in his ear he would have been medically disqualified. Now, the worst case scenario, if I'm understanding the gentleman correctly, is that he may be disqualified and then have to obtain a waiver after 120 days post-op which will be the beginning of March.</p>