Is it possible to get a medical waiver for having a varicocele and/or a hydrocele?

Bill Davis — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 14:06:13 -0400

I’m sorry to throw another one on top of the heap of medical questions:

To be as brief as possible, I have a varicocele of the left testicle; I may also have a hydrocele either also in that one or in the right (vaguely recall doctor saying something about that years ago).
No pain in the left, however I have a history of occasional pain in the right.

On top of this a urologist also told me I have pelvic floor tension, which means the pelvic/groin area muscles are too tense and this is also a source of mild discomfort.

Do you think I’m SOL for getting waivers?

I brought it up with my recruiter and he said,
“If you bring it up, it’s going to take longer for you to get in; it’s really up to you whether or not you bring it up.”

Really worried now and unsure how to proceed;
Any insight is much appreciated.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2020 2:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 14:10:40 -0400

DoDI 6130.03. This is the medical requirements/disqualifying conditions for the US Military

5.14. MALE GENITAL SYSTEM.
a. Absence of both testicles, current undescended testicle, or congenital absence of one
testicle not verified by surgical exploration.
b. History of epispadias or hypospadias when accompanied by history of urinary tract
infection, urethral stricture, urinary incontinence, symptomatic chordee, or voiding dysfunction
or surgical intervention for these issues within the past 24 months.
c. Current enlargement or mass of testicle, epididymis, or spermatic cord, in addition to
those described elsewhere in Paragraph 5.14.
d. Current hydrocele or spermatocele associated with pain or which precludes a complete
exam of the scrotal contents.
e. Current varicocele, unless it is:
(1) On the left side only.
(2) Asymptomatic and smaller than the testes.
(3) Reducible.
(4) Without associated testicular atrophy.

5.18. LOWER EXTREMITY CONDITIONS.
a. General.
(1) Current deformities, disease, or chronic joint pain of pelvic region, thigh, lower leg,
knee, ankle or foot that prevent the individual from following a physically active avocation in
civilian life, or that may reasonably be expected to interfere with walking, running, weight
bearing, or with satisfactorily completing training or military duty.
(2) Current discrepancy in leg-length that causes a limp

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2020 2:33 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 14:33:39 -0400

I had a hydrocele a couple of years ago. It's more common than you might think. It took about a thirty minute surgery to fix. Still have both testicles (which, no kidding, was a hazard that I was told they would address during surgery). Haven't had a problem since.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2020 7:58 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 19:58:50 -0400

Yes it’s possible especially if it was a long time ago and has not caused any issues. Most likely you would go to MEPS then be referred to a urologist who would review everything and then if he thought you were good to go you’d go back to the doc at MEPS and they would then have your recruiter submit a waiver request and then the military would have approve it.

Response by SGT David Jackson made Sep 10 at 2020 12:14 AM

SGT David Jackson — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 00:14:39 -0400

Ask the doctor to change it from "...hydrocele either also in that one or in the right", to "bone spurs, both feet".