Is it possible to get a waiver for a cervical herniated disc?

Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 17:57:50 -0500

Hello,

I was wondering if it is possible to get a waiver for a cervical herniated disc, if I can prove it doesn't impact my life (it has been 3 years, no surgery, took PT)? My recruiter told me I'd need a waiver most likely, but it has been two weeks and he won't answer anymore. I live 4 counties away from the nearest recruiting station so I can't exactly get up and see him (I do not own a car).

Does anyone know if this is possible? What would I need to do if it is possible?

Thank you for reading,

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 6:23 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 18:23:10 -0500

Here is what the Medical Requirements that all of Department of Defense must follow in regards to herniated discs. These are the disqualifying conditions:

1) History of uncorrected herniated nucleus pulposus associated with any treatment,
symptoms, or activity limitations.
2) History of surgery to correct herniated nucleus pulposus other than a single-level lumbar
or thoracic diskectomy that is currently asymptomatic with full resumption of unrestricted
activity for at least 12 months

Even if you can prove it does not bother you, getting a waiver will be extremely difficult. Also, if your Recruiter is no longer answering you, call the station and ask to speak with the Station Commander and express this situation that your Recruiter is no longer answering you and not giving you any updates.

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made Jan 25 at 2020 10:10 PM

SPC Richard Zacke — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 22:10:13 -0500

I don't know why you even brought it up if it dose'nt bother you. Are they gonna do an MRI when you get your physical? Even if they did an x-ray it won't reveal a herniation do you know how many people are walking around out there with undiagnosed herniated disc's? It may never be problem, my wife is 68 and has six herniated disc's in all three sections (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) she works like a horse. But if you are asked if you have prior medical problems I would tell the truth but when I went in the Army in 78 they did not ask or I don't remember if they asked.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Jan 26 at 2020 1:08 PM

PO1 John Meyer, CPC — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 13:08:15 -0500

Anything is possible. Probable is another thing.

I had exercise induced asthma when I enlisted. That is, physical excursion was the only thing that would trigger an asthma attack. It was like trying to run and breathe through a regular sized drinking straw. It kept me out of the Marines, but the Navy granted me a waver because I was able to prove that I could still run (barley) the 1.5 miles the Navy required me to in order to pass the cardio portion of the physical fitness tests, which was the only time I had been required to run.

That being said, this is going to be like you're on trial. You're going to have to prove that your disc herniation will not negatively affect you enlisting. And just like a trial, you're going to need as much evidence so you can find to prove this.

I work in orthopedics, so... you already know an x-ray isn't going to prove anything, but a MRI will. Also, talk to your spine specialist and let him/her know that you want to enlist in the military. If your spine specialist is willing, he/she could write a letter in support of you enlisting. It would help build your case to have a letter from a doctor stating that he/she feels your disc herniation will not negatively affect you enlisting in the military.

At any rate, it's always best to request the waver because you never know. I honestly thought I'd never be able to enlist in any branch in the military because of my asthma. And yes... I tried to hide it and was doing well until that first physical fitness test in basic training. They found out as I was having a hard time breathing after the first mile and sent me to medical for an evaluation. They didn't grant me my waver until I was a week away from graduation.