Can You Be In The Military With Asthma

Can You Get A Medical Waiver For Asthma

So now lets answer your question is your journey over, or can you possibly join the military with asthma? The answer is: it depends.

The military normally does not allow individuals who currently have asthma to join. However, there can be waivers for those who had asthma in their youth, provided it is still not present when they apply to join the military.

Now your situation is unique. You mentioned you had asthma as a youth, but havent had any issues since then. However, the doctor who recently examined you stated you still have asthma, but that it shouldnt be a problem for military service.

Therein lies the problem: the doctor recommended you as fit for service, and MEPS sent your examination and waiver application to the Surgeon Generals office, where the Surgeon General denied the waiver application.

Obviously they saw something they didnt like, or something that went against military medical standards for applicants. You can familiarize yourself with the DODI, or Department of Defense Instruction for Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services for a better understanding of which medical conditions are excluded from entry to the military, and which are eligible for waivers . This makes for dense reading, but arming yourself with this knowledge is essential if you want to keep trying to join the Air Force.

Can You Join The Military With Asthma What To Know

Requirements to join any branch of the military include a high level of physical fitness and generally good health. This means that asthma can sometimes disqualify a person from serving in the Armed Forces.

Depending on your personal history with asthma and the severity of the disease, you may be able to obtain a waiver allow you to join the military.

Each branch has its own asthma screening methods and requirements for waivers. There are also many resources that may allow you to continue serving if you develop asthma during your time in the military.

Read on to learn more about how you can join the military with diagnosed asthma and what other options may be available if you are not able to enlist.

According to the 2018 Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction into the Military Services issued by the Department of Defense, having a history of asthma after 13 years of age is considered to be a disqualifying condition for service.

But same document sets out the terms in which an individual may apply for a medical waiver.

Having a waiver approved requires a review of a candidates medical history and performance on a test of pulmonary function in addition to passage of a complete physical examination.

Here are the general steps for obtaining a waiver early in the recruitment process:

Air Force Disqualifying Medical Conditions

The United States Air Force is considered slightly more selective than some of the other military branches.

The branch also factors in the Speciality Code you are seeking, as some USAF jobs require top-secret security clearance or special qualification .

Expect your medical health conditions to be closely analyzed if you are in a position that requires a lot of trust or advanced physical fitness.

Speak to an Air Force recruiter if you have any of the following conditions:

• AIDS/HIV

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How Likely Is A Medical Waiver To Be Approved

Unfortunately, I cannot predict that outcome. I dont play a doctor on the Internet, and Im not involved in the recruiting process, MEPS processes, or any appeals boards. This is not my area of profession and I do not speak for the military. So I dont want to give any false impressions.

What I can tell you is that some medical conditions are simply ineligible for waivers. Other conditions may be waiverable, provided the member meets the medical standards for waivers as outlined in the DODI .

The best thing you can do is arm yourself with the applicable knowledge and have the willingness to do the legwork required to get the medical examinations, file the paperwork, etc.

Finally, dont lie when trying to join the military. It never ends well. In fact, it can end with a dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of pay and benefits, or even legal action. Its simply not worth the stain on your record.

For more information, you can read this Guide for Getting a Medical Waiver to Join the Military. This article and podcast explain the medical waiver process and the process for finding information, submitting documents, and much more. Its very helpful.

Relevant Resources:

Sample Medical Conditions That Might Stop Or Delay Me Joining

Gastrointestinal problems:

• Chronic abdominal diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Significant history of dyspepsia.

• History of kidney problems such as malfunction of a kidney or kidney stones.
• Recurrent renal colic.

• Structural abnormalities of the spine and spinal cord.
• History of chronic or recurrent back pain.

Blood diseases:

• Disorders resulting in abnormal coagulation.

Bone or joint problems:

• Knee injuries and chronic knee pain.
• History of bone fractures.
• Shoulder problems resulting in functional limitations or restrictions of movement.
• Loss of a limb.
• Chronic joint diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
• Hypermobility syndrome.

• Symptomatic or medication-suppressed abnormal heart rhythms.
• Cardiomyopathy.

• Asthma .
• Chronic lung disease such as emphysema, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis.
• Tuberculosis.

• Current perforation of ear drum.
• Chronic ear diseases like cholesteatoma.
• Presence of eardrum ‘grommets’.

• Chronic eye conditions such as glaucoma, keratoconus and retinitis pigmentosa.
• Damage to the eyelids affecting vision.
• Chronic conjunctivitis.
• Reduction of corrected vision in one eye below army entry standards.
• Diplopia.

• History of head injury with neurological sequalae.
• Migraines.

• History of deliberate self-harm or suicide attempts.

Skin problems:

• An active skin disease like severe eczema or widespread psoriasis.

Other conditions:

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Becoming A Truck Driver

Becoming A Truck Driver is a dream weve all pondered at some point in our lives. Weve all wondered if the adventure and challenges of life on the open road would suit us better than the ordinary day to day lives weve always known. At TruckingTruth well help you decide if trucking is right for you and help you get your career off to a great start.

How Hard Is It To Get Into Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is one of the more difficult branches to join because it accepts far fewer new recruits than the other branches of the military. If you have a GED, it will probably be difficult to be accepted into the Coast Guard. You will have to undergo a credit check and pass a security clearance check.

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Allergies And Coeliac Disease

Significant food or other allergies are a limiting factor to entry.

Coeliac disease

While coeliac disease is manageable day-to-day within New Zealand, in certain situations there may be limited dietary options for a prolonged period. In such situations there is a risk of complications ranging from gastrointestinal symptoms to nutritional deficiency. This has potential implications not only for the individual, but also those around them. The Defence Force has an obligation to minimise risk to the individual and the organisation wherever possible, and accordingly if you have coeliac disease you may not be admitted entry to the Defence Force.

Navys Policy On Asthma In 2019

OMK spoke with Officer Mendoza, a Navy recruiter stationed in Atlanta, Georgia, about the Navys policy on Asthma.

Heres what he had to say:

Its definitely possible to get in the Navy if you were previously diagnosed, but it can be very difficult. For starters, if you currently have asthma, its not going to work out.

The military has a very strict policy on this if you are currently being treated for asthma, then you will not be able to serve.

In addition, any history of Asthma after the age of 13 will require a waiver.

The waiver process will happen at your Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS.

Before enlisting, youll be required to perform whats known as a pulmonary function test, or PFT.

A PFT is essentially a noninvasive test that shows how well your lungs work.

If you can pass this test, you can join the Navy.

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Asthma During Military Service

Asthma was one of the most common reasons for medical evacuation during the 1991 Gulf War. Using partial data pertaining to 19951997, Clark et al estimated that approximately 1000 asthmatic recruits per year were discharged from military services with an EPTS reason. A more complete statistical investigation conducted more than a decade later reported nearly 3,000 military applicants being disqualified from military service each year because of asthma. The appearance of acute asthma during military service may necessitate immediate treatment, subsequent military discharge, and possible future medical care through the VA system.

Perhaps, the implication of asthma in the military was highlighted after researchers from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Newport, New York claimed that there was an increased risk for developing new-onset asthma because of U.S. military deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. The concern has not yet been adequately settled.,

Drug Issues With Add/adhd

The most common of these drugs are Ritalin and Adderall. If there is a documented use of Adderall in a non-prescribed basis as in an emergency room visit with such side effects as high blood pressure, stroke, or other aggressively disruptive behavior, you will likely be unable to obtain a waiver.

Waivers are only reviewed on a doctor prescribed program for minor attention deficit issues. Any depression, bipolar disorder, or other mental health problems associated with some ADD/ADHD diagnosis tips the scale into an area of medically disqualifying issues that are not waiverable.

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Is It Worth Pursuing A Military Career If I Have Adhd

It is easy for applicants with ADHD who want to serve in the military to feel discouraged by these guidelines. Its important to remember, though, that recruiters do take an interest in helping applicants, especially those who advocate for themselves.

Recruiters want to, and will, work with applicants to determine their best fit in a specific branch. Recruiters can spend hours interviewing and taking questions from a single applicant. Many engage in non-binding dialogue to gauge an applicants eligibility before asking them commit to any processes or formally submit documentation.

Some recruiters, for example, are known to have applicants fill out a slightly modified version of the medical pre-screening report one that will stay between the recruiter and candidate prior to filling out the official version of the report. The recruiter may explain to an applicant that reviewing the modified questionnaire lets them to gauge whether a candidates medical history requires more documentation, and allows applicants to decide if they have the time and willingness to proceed should any red flags appear.

Hopeful service members must conduct their own research prior to joining, which means speaking to a doctor about the plan for and ramifications of getting off medication, and finding a branch and career that accommodates and accentuates strengths while minimizing weaknesses.

Dont ever stop fighting to get in if thats what you want to do, he said.

Why Does It Matter

Being in the Army can be challenging both physically and mentally.Therefore, a history of health problems or the presence of health conditions that usually don’t affect your everyday life, can mean that you’re not able to join, or you might have to wait to join.

You will be sent forms asking about your medical history once you’ve submitted your application.

The medical team assess everyone individually, and make their decisions based on their professional opinion in keeping with prescribed army standards. These standards and guidelines are reviewed and amended regularly.

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Can You Join The Military With Ptsd

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder disqualifies you from military service in most cases.

The problem with PTSD is that the disorder is often linked to serious trauma like what you might experience serving the Armed Forces.

Therefore, serving the military might only make symptoms worse.

You should avoid service to find more effective ways to cope with the disorder.

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When Could Asthma Be A Problem In Military Service

Yes, if you read older resources. In the past, it was practically impossible to enlist if you had ever shown any signs of asthma, similarly to other conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases or hearing loss. However, unlike these conditions, asthma is generally not a lifelong condition and many individuals grow out of it.

People very rarely grow out of the symptoms of Crohns disease or deafness, so their hopes of joining the military are unlikely to be successful. As such, asthma is not as much of a stumbling block as it once was. As of 2004, recruits who have not shown symptoms since their 13th birthday are not considered to have asthma by military recruitment standards.

In terms of active service, there are multiple situations where an asthmatic soldier might be a problem for his unit. Recent deployments for American soldiers have been too hostile environments dry, hot, and dusty. We also live in a world where weaponry such as smoke bombs and tear gas canisters can be encountered in a warm environment.

These weapons can cause significant breathing issues for asthmatics, so it is not a safe environment for that individual or their unit. Think about it if you start to have an asthma attack in an active engagement, you may not be able to administer your medicine and another member of your team will be pulled out of position.

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How Do I Apply To Officer Candidate School

If you have a four-year college degree from an accredited college and meet the age, physical and moral requirements, you may apply for OCS. Upon completion of your officer package, you will have an interview with three Coast Guard officers. The completed package will be submitted to a board, who will select the top candidates from the packages they receive. For more information, please visit the OCS Home Page or visit your local recruiter.

The following conditions may disqualify you for military service:

a. Arthritis.

b. Complaint of a disease or injury of the spine or sacroiliac joints with or without objective signs that has prevented the individual from successfully following a physically active vocation in civilian life or that is associated with pain referred to the lower extremities, muscular spasm, postural deformities or limitation of motion.

c. Deviation or curvature of spine from normal alignment, structure or function if

It prevents the individual from following a physically active vocation in civilian life.

It interferes with wearing a uniform or military equipment.

It is symptomatic and associated with positive physical finding and demonstrable by X-ray.

There is lumbar scoliosis greater than 20 degrees, thoracic scoliosis greater than 30 degrees, and kyphosis or lordosis greater than 55 degrees when measured by the Cobb method.

d. Fusion, congenital, involving more than two vertebrae. Any surgical fusion is disqualifying.

Keep Taking Prescribed Medications

Long-term controller medications may also help treat your asthma and prevent symptoms from returning. Its important not to stop taking your prescribed medications even if your symptoms are better.

If you stop taking your medications as prescribed, this could cause your symptoms to return at a higher severity, leading to an over-reliance on fast-acting inhalers and other rescue medications.

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How To Receive Tdiu Benefits

To receive TDIU benefits, you must have at least one service-connected disability rated at least at 60% or two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one disability rated at 40% or more with a combined rating of 70% or more.

Most Veterans receiving TDIU benefits for asthma have multiple service-connected conditions. Sleep apnea is the most common, since about 50% of adults with asthma also suffer from this impairment. Acid reflux, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes are also common secondary conditions among Veterans with asthma.

How Do You Get Discharged From The Air Force

In order to qualify for separation under this provision, the hardship must not be of a temporary nature must have developed or become increasingly worse since entry on active duty discharge or release from active duty is the only readily available means of alleviation and the individual must have made reasonable

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How Long Do You Have To Be Off Adhd Medication To Join The Military

Recruiters generally tell applicants that they must be off medication for a considerable length of time by far the most important measure to take and show that they are able to function properly while off medication prior to starting the enlistment process and to be considered for a waiver.

The time frame required to be off medication differs across the branches and even among recruiters within the same branch. Some also recommend different approaches to demonstrating proper functioning without medication.

In the Army, Navy, and Marines in particular, recruiters largely advise applicants with ADHD to be off any and all stimulant or nonstimulant medications for at least one year.

Some recruiters, notably within the Air Force, tell applicants they must be off medication for 15 months or more . The Coast Guard which represents just 3 percent of active armed forces members is widely considered to be the most difficult branch to successfully petition for an ADHD waiver.

The time spent off medication should be noted by a doctor in the applicants medical and pharmacy records, and handed in as part of the waiver process. The records should also describe the applicants ADHD history, diagnosis, treatment, and stability while off medication.

Apart from medical documentation, recruiters may also recommend that applicants submit transcripts and letters of recommendation to showcase evidence of successful academic and work performance while off medication.