How can I get proof that I do not have anemia, and should not need a medical waiver?

2019-05-23T19:34:55-04:00

Okay, so a month ago i got denied at meps for being "anemic" and the big doc sent a waiver request and i got a yes and no on it, they want to know what is causing the anemia, i don't know what i should do and neither does my recruiter, any insight as to what i need to do?

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2019 7:47 PM

2019-05-23T19:47:58-04:00

You need to go to a physician and have your anemia worked up. If you are actually anemic, you need to have the underlying cause identified (and treated). If you are not anemic, the workup will show that. If you are, they will then determine if the underlying cause is waiverable.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 23 at 2019 8:30 PM

2019-05-23T20:30:32-04:00

While an internist can certainly send a sample to a lab, I'd definitely try to go for a hematology consult, bringing a copy of the lab result that caused the worry. You should of think be able to do a Freedom of Info Act (FOIA) request to get it, I'd call all three Congress ofcs, speak with local district mil/vet reps, don't call the DC ofcs, they just do policy stuff, they'll need you to do Privacy Act (PA) releases to help you, that's just Federal law, typically, such stuff is done by the House mil/vet staff, though all can basically do it, they can't decide if recommend anything, though they could certainly send your DO IS request to the recruiting district and the MEPS commander and clinical ofcs, that, at least is how I'd handle that part, at any rate. If go to a major hospital based univ med Ctr if you've got one by you for the hematology consult, specific henatologists do definitely exist,, I trained with many when I'd been doctoral allied health before we had me shut my license due to my total perm disability, there are obviously things I think of, relative to your description, however, those are obviously not.my place.to.say,.hematology is mainly a med lab based science, go.and ask for a thorough hematology consult, and let.it.all.be sorted.out, then, if you're cleared.in their view, keep their paperwork, once they understand what caused you to be flagged to begin with by the MEPS clinicians, that's why I'm suggesting you get the MEPS clinical material on you to show to an outside rheumatologist to begin with. If an outside major univ based hospital hematology.group would.clear you in their view, the MEPS and Congress offices would still likely want a detailed .letterforms them, quite possibly, so expect to need to get that, and/or to have MEPS forms to also need to possibly be filled out, though attaching a letter from such an outside jematologistmight suffice,.oerhaos. I'd also most definitely go to any outside internist as well, and let them also look over your MEPS clinical material, and, if they also think you'd be cear, once they'd refer you out for a hematology consult, and go over the results, maybe also actually speak with the hematologist, then they might also possibly need to write a letter, fill out forms...there's also the possibility that the MEPS clinicians might want to actually chat with any outside internist and/or hematologist,.or that the Congress.offices would certainly quite possibly need all the relevant papers for.their purposes, I doubt they$ want to actually speak with outside clinicians, whether they'd want to chat with the MEPS.staff, admin or clinical, maybe the recruiting district, I of course can't say. you hadn't said which svc you're wanting to go, however, there's always a possibility of higher clinical referral to a.svc by the recruiting district and/or MEPS, up to the level.of.a.Surgeon General, or their relevant clinical staffs, however, that's obviously be pretty high...that's as far as my reasoning carries me, in any event, and the limit of what ideas I might seem suitable for.me.to give, please understand, we shut my license deck yrs ago, I wasn't medicine I just trained with and under medicine, which is why I knew what I knew to suggest here, it's gonna take.a.good.deal.of.time,.most.likely,.and you're gonna need to be really oatient, while the something gets sorted out, just realize that, OK? How it's go.for.you, I obviously haven't a clue,.and, once again, that's obviously also.not.my place.to.even remotely.speculate on, honest, OK? I hope that helps, if nothing else, in.terms of what at least.crossed.my mind, in terms.if what to.ask at all,.at.least.to.start,.there's really nothing more I can suggest, it's also.not my place to know anything of what you'd be told in the process, I afterthought I'd explain what I could of the process, generally, so youd.at.least have a halfway decent clue as.to basically how.to.proceed, in terms.if what to.ask for.and/or.about, that's all, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 23 at 2019 8:42 PM

2019-05-23T20:42:30-04:00

And if you'd care to say, which svc.we're you.wanting, what MOS, AFSC,.or.rate were you trying for,.and also.elaborate on grades, GPAs,.STEM.and non-STOP ckursework, AP coursework in high school, if any SAT scores, ASVAB scores, not soecifics, just generally how well you did, hobbies, interests, reading tastes, sports incl any martial.arts, and, also, speak with your parents about all of this, if cojrse, they're inextricably involved in your doing this, you should.do.nothing in this without their advice, discussing it.all.at.length, family are.always.involved when someone goes.in, trust.me, been there, done that (BTDT), this involves them just as.much as you, trjst.me on that, OK? ALlso, any college het? Associates? Bachelors? Grad.level? Majors you've attemoted.or.wanted? ROTC interests? USMC.platoon leaders course (PLC)? Doo you have any flight interests, as either pilot or navigator at all?.what other svc s have you.looked at, and, if any, which fields? Those are the things we all need on here to suggest stuff for.you, those.levels of.detakls,.so far.as.yoh.and your.parents seem suitable, hknest, OK?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 23 at 2019 8:44 PM

2019-05-23T20:44:08-04:00

Sorry for.typos,.clumsy tablet keyboard....

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2019 10:54 AM

2019-05-24T10:54:06-04:00

Easy. Seek out your civilian medical provider and have a full blood work done. I would recommend the following tests: CBC with differential and platelet count; ferritin; folates (folic acid); iron; iron binding capacity; reticulocyte count; vitamin B12

Then speak with your provider about the results, and if all areas come back WNL, then take that documentation to your recruiter and MEPS.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 24 at 2019 12:16 PM

2019-05-24T12:16:43-04:00

You do know that if you are borderline- it can/does shift back and forth. Or it could just be are iron poor day.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2019 9:09 PM

2019-05-28T21:09:52-04:00

Go to your physician and get tested. If your physician says you are not, then he/she needs to provide the medical documentation for it.
Recruiter needs to resubmit with physicians paperwork. Along with the lab results, if you are not anemic, the physician should provide a LETTER stating the findings and note that you are CLEARED FOR MILITARY SERVICE.

I've had this with an applicant and that's what the MEPS dr. Asked for.
When talking to the recruiter he/she should be able to look up the code as to why you were denied. The code something you can actually Google if he gives it to you.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2019 9:11 PM

2019-05-28T21:11:18-04:00

Oh, and if you get all that back and it says you are not anemic...and your recruiter still does not want to process it, call me.. I'll get it sent up.