Posted on Apr 30, 2019
Can someone get a waiver for Spondylosis for the Coast Guard?
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Joined the Navy’s DEP department in March of 2017, got a contract for AIRR and had a ship date of Jan 2018. In Nov 2017, I had a stress fracture in my l5-s1 and spondylosis. Went to physical therapy, healed, and got all the paperwork and got PDQ by MEPS. Went into the Coast Guard office the next month and got more paperwork supporting my problem and that it’s healed and no more problems. Send in the waiver today to go to CG HQ. Has anybody heard about somebody getting cleared for spondylosis or has had this themselves? How optimistic should I be? The doc at MEPS wrote a good report about it on the PDQ paperwork and said a waiver was suggested. I have great PT scores and I have an ASVAB score of 69. 55 pushups, 62 sit-ups, 6 pull up, 8:27 550yd swim
Posted in these groups: 
Medical
AST: Aviation Survival TechnicianMilitary.com
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
Waivers
Medical AST: Aviation Survival TechnicianMilitary.com Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Waivers
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 2
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Spondylosis has no cure nor would surgery be recommended at this time. It’s quite common in the lumbar spine and can worsen over time, especially as one ages.
The upside of joining up depends on the needs of the service and how good your medical documentation with CT Scan or MRI reflects your health, a waiver might be considered by the medical board. I’ve known of officers with limited duty accessions, however they are given a specified period of time to demonstrate full capabilities or they face discharge. In your case, symptomolgy can change, and possibly make you a casualty for your command which affects mission. It’s a tough call for a service enlisting anyone with a known medical condition that historically will worsen over time with age, occupation, hobbies, etc.
As a former Navy Recruiter, always worth asking for a waiver but be prepared for a let down, yet hope for the best. Regardless of the military outcome, you have a full life to look forward to and the knowledge how to manage your symptoms when they pop up. Good luck!
The upside of joining up depends on the needs of the service and how good your medical documentation with CT Scan or MRI reflects your health, a waiver might be considered by the medical board. I’ve known of officers with limited duty accessions, however they are given a specified period of time to demonstrate full capabilities or they face discharge. In your case, symptomolgy can change, and possibly make you a casualty for your command which affects mission. It’s a tough call for a service enlisting anyone with a known medical condition that historically will worsen over time with age, occupation, hobbies, etc.
As a former Navy Recruiter, always worth asking for a waiver but be prepared for a let down, yet hope for the best. Regardless of the military outcome, you have a full life to look forward to and the knowledge how to manage your symptoms when they pop up. Good luck!
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Sarah Aaron
Thank you!
So, they could approve a waiver but then put restrictions on a job/rate? So, Aviation Survival Technition could possibly not happen, but maybe they will approve of a different rate?
So, they could approve a waiver but then put restrictions on a job/rate? So, Aviation Survival Technition could possibly not happen, but maybe they will approve of a different rate?
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Sarah Aaron
But what about me still be able to work two jobs on my feet, working out everyday, and still being pain-free?? I had two Orthopedic Surgeons day that I have the same risk as hurting my back agian, as anybody else.
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SSG Brian G.
Sarah Aaron - As long as it is not a disqualifier per DOD stipulations then ANYTHING is waiverable. It is just a matter of getting someone that is willing to slog through the paperwork and time get that waiver and get it approved.
Whatever service you join has to look at your long term viability to serve and do the mission. Yes, you are fine and dandy today and receiving glowing marks and remarks but that can change tomorrow and with a condition like yours there is a higher chance of that happening. Military service is rough on even a fully functional, completely healthy body that has never seen injury, let alone one that has.
The strength of your case rests with the MEPS doctors who have cleared you and recommended the waiver. This is no small feat as they tend to err on the side of caution and protection. You have a good chance to get in but a steep hill to climb. Be prepared to wait, these things are mired in red tape and dice rolls.
Good luck to you.
Whatever service you join has to look at your long term viability to serve and do the mission. Yes, you are fine and dandy today and receiving glowing marks and remarks but that can change tomorrow and with a condition like yours there is a higher chance of that happening. Military service is rough on even a fully functional, completely healthy body that has never seen injury, let alone one that has.
The strength of your case rests with the MEPS doctors who have cleared you and recommended the waiver. This is no small feat as they tend to err on the side of caution and protection. You have a good chance to get in but a steep hill to climb. Be prepared to wait, these things are mired in red tape and dice rolls.
Good luck to you.
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