Will a chest wall malformation, nonallergic rhinitis, or airway hyper responsiveness cause me trouble after MEPS?

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 17:35:50 -0400

Note: I've already been to MEPS and sworn in, and not sure how to go from here on all these new findings.

Ok I'm going to be a bit more detailed after my doctors appointment today. I got an x-ray on my ribs today because I may have pectus carinatum but the DoD states this:

i. Current chest wall malformation, including but not limited to pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum which has been symptomatic, interfered with vigorous physical exertion, has been recommended for surgery, or may interfere with wearing military equipment.

My ribs have never been symptomatic and I can work out/run and swim just fine and have been all my life before I knew this, so is this something I'd just need a doctors note for and not a waiver? I don't want to mess with my ship date by a waiver but by this standards I wouldn't be disqualified anyway.

Another on Nonallergic Rhinitis (which I can't find any standards in the DoD so it must not be disqualifying at all), with my doctor maybe prescribing me Montelukast. Montelukast is a leukotriene inhibitor where the DoD states:

(2) History of prescription or use of medication (including but not limited to inhaled or oral corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, or any beta agonists) for airway hyper responsiveness after the 13th birthday.

However, it says for airway hyper responsiveness only. I don't have asthma and never have. I'd be taking it for allergies. Is this the same deal? Doctors note and no waiver required? I can always get another prescription but she thinks this one will really help.

Will someone help me out with this? I'm talking to my recruiter tomorrow, but I just want to know a bit ahead of time. Thank you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 5:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 17:46:39 -0400

You've already been to MEPS and sworn in, meaning that you have been medically cleared already. If the physician at MEPS thought that your condition warranted further investigation, then they would have told you and rejected you. Don't go looking for problems that don't exist.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2019 5:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 17:53:31 -0400

Depending on how things go between your Recruiter and MEPS with this new information, you may have to end up with a later ship date. You've already been cleared by MEPS, so waivers might be pointless. What the issue is, is that is your current medical conditions/issues severe enough to delay your shipping to BCT until such time as you are medically/physically able to attend BCT. Unfortunately, in this case, you will have to be patient and wait until you get definitive information from your recruiter because any information outside of that recruiting office and MEPS would be speculation at best.

Response by SSG Andrew Queale made Mar 27 at 2019 10:36 PM

SSG Andrew Queale — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 22:36:42 -0400

Answer A) You've gotten the green light: You're young, motivated, and looking to get into it. You go to Basic, keep your med issues to yourself, and do great things for your country. You graduate. You go to your unit. If it ever becomes an issue, you deal with it then.

Answer B) You've gotten the green light: You're young, scared, and looking to postpone leaving. You're second guessing your decision because the reality of leaving your comfort zone is becoming very real. You go to Basic, bring this med issue up, sit in the broke platoon for several months on the G, and potentially go home with nothing; having wasted your time, your Branch's time, and tax payers dollars. In reality, the medical condition was never actually a problem.

I do not know you; but, we've all been in the same situation. Shipping off to Basic is not a pleasent experience. I've known people who fit into both catagories. Hopefully "Answer A" is what you're looking for. If "Answer B" is more relevant, there is no shame. I hope this helps you take stock of things. Only you know your body and your health. However, I've always been amazed at how far the body can go when it is truely determined.

I do not by any means wish to sound insulting. Please do not interpret my answer as anything other than a respectful and candid response to your question.

Response by SGT Bryan O'Reilly made Mar 27 at 2019 10:56 PM

SGT Bryan O'Reilly — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 22:56:25 -0400

I had a P2 because of a chest deformity. It kept me from going airborne but let me in Air Assault.