Will a failed hearing evaluation get someone kicked out of reception if MEPS missed a small hole in their eardrum from ear tubes as a kid?

Melissa Wood — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 17:51:47 -0400

Hey everyone, my wife is at reception at Ft. Leonard Wood and I guess MEPS missed a small hole in her ear drum from when she had tubes as a baby, so they are holding her back from starting training and being sent to the hospital’s audiology department, tomorrow. My question is, will they kick her out because of this issue?She’s extremely bummed. She had no idea she even had a small hole in her ear.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 25 at 2024 7:44 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 19:44:36 -0400

If the perforation has healed, they will probably send her to the ENT and the put her through all the Audiology stuff like they do for a VA CES exam. Then it according to to the PULHES rating required by her MOS. If she still a passing H rating, she should be allowed to continue training. If not, it will be ticket home. Waivers are possible and I am not current enough to know if that is possible.

Response by COL Randall C. made Aug 25 at 2024 8:03 PM

COL Randall C. — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 20:03:30 -0400

Can they? Yes. Will they? Possibly, but it’s very likely going to be the judgement call of the separation authority.

When evaluating the impact of medical conditions, the Department of Defense uses two different documents for the medical standards. DoDI 6130.03, Volume 1* is used for the standards of medical fitness when you’re entering the military and DoDI 6130.03, Volume 2* is used for retention in the military.

Taking the various items one at a time…

First, could a hole in the ear drum prevent her from entering the military or prevent her from being retained? “Yes” to the first, “No” to the second.

According to Vol 1, para 6.5g, “current perforation of the tympanic membrane or history of surgery to correct perforation during the preceding 6 months” is a disqualifying condition. That condition is not a disqualifying condition for retention unless it interferes with the service member’s performance of duty.

Second, you mentioned that it was due to tubes inserted when she was a baby. I’ll assume that she did disclose this to the MEPS and that the medical exam missed the existing hole with this knowledge. The reason I’m assuming this is because any history of any inner or middle ear surgery is a disqualifying factor and would have required a waiver to enlist. If she didn’t, then on those grounds alone she might not be given any leeway on staying in.

Third (if the MEPS was aware and she had a waiver), does that mean she won’t be separated because she’s already in? Not necessarily.

They could separate her for an “Erroneous Enlistment”. An erroneous enlistment happens if the individual joins the military but would not have been allowed to if the relevant facts were known to the U.S. Government prior to that and it was not a result of fraudulent conduct of the service member.

However, if the perforated eardrum is not causing issues, is not viewed by the docs as something that will get worse or interfere with her duties, then the separation authority will usually side with retaining the service member. If there are any other issues (performance, indications she withheld information, etc.), then it's more likely than not that she will be retained. Although the 'investment' the military has done to now is minimal compared to someone that has completed Basic, the Army will actually try to retain someone unless the separation is mandated, the individual is an otherwise good Soldier/Recruit, etc.

If she is separated, she'll be given an Entry Level Separation (ELS) if within 180 days of her enlistment. The exception is if the condition existed prior to her entry in the military but there is evidence that military service worsened the condition. However, since she hasn't even been shipped off to basic yet, that wouldn't apply.
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* DoD Instruction 6130.03, Volume 1 (Medical Standards for Military Service: Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction) – https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_vol1.PDF
* DoD Instruction 6130.03, Volume 1 (Medical Standards for Military Service: Retention – https://esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/613003_vol02.PDF
* DoDI 1332.18 (Disability Evaluation System) - https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/133218e.PDF

613003_vol1.PDF

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 26 at 2024 12:15 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 12:15:26 -0400

At this point all you can do is wait to see the test results and hope for the best.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2024 1:44 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:44:05 -0400

Melissa Wood Please provide an update when it is available.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2024 1:12 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 13:12:35 -0400

This one is interesting and baffles me. My son had tubes in his ears when he was young and had no problems with MEPS. And he is still serving today SFC Steven Borders. I never realized someone could end up with a hole in the ear drum. But I figured scaring as a possibility. I wish your wive the best outcome.