Posted on Sep 22, 2021
What advice or insight do you have for any additional steps that can be taken after a re-enlistment waiver gets denied?
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(Summery)
Ok so I have a difficult situation that I will try and keep brief. In 2007 while in the Army I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety but was later discharged for personality disorder. I found out years later that my discharge was inaccurate so I filed an appeal to have my narrative reasoning for discharge changed.
After years of waiting, my appeal was approved as I was able to provide enough supporting documentation and evidence that my discharge/diagnosis was given with limited to minimal testing while multiple doctors denied any symptoms ever existed that supported the personality disorder diagnosis.
(Character)
Since being discharged from the military I have gathered documentation of my personal growth and accomplishments in both my professional and personal life. I have graduated college with a BA, gotten married, held stable employment for 10+ years with the same organization etc. Contributed in community and social events and charities etc. I have not sought or needed any treatment for behavioral health other than psych evals needed for my appeal and waiver process for re-enlistment. I have been cleared by my doctors from any behavioral health diagnosis for over 8 years, meaning no anxiety, depression, nothing.
(Currently)
I have since taken my experiences and documentation into trying to reenlist into the ARNG and I was sent to MEPS to phys. I passed my phys but needed a waiver for psych. Twice I have been denied a waiver although no diagnosis exists that warrants a disqualification according to AR REG 601-210. The doctors notes stated that the reason for denial was based on “they can not determine if those symptoms would not return.” Even though multiple doctors have given me a clear bill of health for years and more than positive prognosis’s.
The support from my recruiters have been positive and above and beyond. They themselves were surprised of the denial as they mention never seeing a more thorough packet, let along anyone who had a dd215 which revised a discharge like mine. However, due to the fact that the denial is not based on weather I meet enlistment standards or not my recruiter and I are looking to determine how we can push forward.
Any insight or thoughts are greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank you all in advance for your service and input
Ok so I have a difficult situation that I will try and keep brief. In 2007 while in the Army I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety but was later discharged for personality disorder. I found out years later that my discharge was inaccurate so I filed an appeal to have my narrative reasoning for discharge changed.
After years of waiting, my appeal was approved as I was able to provide enough supporting documentation and evidence that my discharge/diagnosis was given with limited to minimal testing while multiple doctors denied any symptoms ever existed that supported the personality disorder diagnosis.
(Character)
Since being discharged from the military I have gathered documentation of my personal growth and accomplishments in both my professional and personal life. I have graduated college with a BA, gotten married, held stable employment for 10+ years with the same organization etc. Contributed in community and social events and charities etc. I have not sought or needed any treatment for behavioral health other than psych evals needed for my appeal and waiver process for re-enlistment. I have been cleared by my doctors from any behavioral health diagnosis for over 8 years, meaning no anxiety, depression, nothing.
(Currently)
I have since taken my experiences and documentation into trying to reenlist into the ARNG and I was sent to MEPS to phys. I passed my phys but needed a waiver for psych. Twice I have been denied a waiver although no diagnosis exists that warrants a disqualification according to AR REG 601-210. The doctors notes stated that the reason for denial was based on “they can not determine if those symptoms would not return.” Even though multiple doctors have given me a clear bill of health for years and more than positive prognosis’s.
The support from my recruiters have been positive and above and beyond. They themselves were surprised of the denial as they mention never seeing a more thorough packet, let along anyone who had a dd215 which revised a discharge like mine. However, due to the fact that the denial is not based on weather I meet enlistment standards or not my recruiter and I are looking to determine how we can push forward.
Any insight or thoughts are greatly appreciated and welcomed. Thank you all in advance for your service and input
Posted in these groups: 
Waivers
Behavioral Health
Prior Service Recruiter
Career Counselor
Career Advice
Waivers Behavioral Health Prior Service Recruiter Career Counselor Career Advice
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 4
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The bottom line is you had a mental health condition with symptoms severe enough to warrant an early discharge. With the current state of the military recruiting and retention, they don't need to approve waivers to fill the ranks. Honestly, the best advice might be to wait until the military has to suddenly surge their numbers again (like during the height of Iraq/Afghanistan) and reapply/appeal the waiver denial.
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PFC Darrell Delmundo
Thank you for the response. Hopefully it does not have to come to that but either way I remain willing and ready to serve when the need calls.
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CPT (Join to see)
PFC Darrell Delmundo - I wish you luck, I had a previous mental health diagnosis that had to be waived in order for me to commission. As a provider (with my medical history), I know that not every mental health condition is going to negatively affect a Soldier's ability to serve or be a high-performer, and in fact, it could be viewed as a positive that they are actively seeking help and receiving appropriate care. Your biggest issue is going to be that your diagnosis led to an early discharge. If you want any shot at a successful waiver appeal, I would start considering ways to demonstrate that a second chance won't end the same way. I'm not sure how you can do that, but it would have to be overwhelming in order for them to grant a waiver.
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PFC Darrell Delmundo
thank you for your response. Your story does lend encouragement and hope towards my situation and I appreciate that very much. I do have the opportunity to resubmit my waiver with a personal statement that tries to convey my situation and how I can better serve the military through my past experiences and personal growth. Whatever the path I choose to pursue and whatever the outcome I am optimistic that it will not deter my resilience and passion for self improvement. CPT (Join to see)
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There is nothing to do. A waiver means you are not qualified and that you are asking for that to be waived. Any commander in the chain of people who approve it can deny it for any reason whatsoever and you have eno recourse.
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PFC Darrell Delmundo
Agreed that the appropriate authority should be allowed to make a determination for any reason. My question is more geared towards, shouldn't that determination be dependent on AR REG 601-210 for enlistment. To which according to regulations I do not meet any criteria for disqualification. My understanding is that the waiver should be based on all current diagnosis and conditions to which do not exist.
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SFC (Join to see)
PFC Darrell Delmundo the regulation for medical fitness is AR 40-501. Your SPD code may have changed two something beside personality disorder unless your code says normal ETS, you will need a waiver for reentry
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PFC Darrell Delmundo
Yes, understood. My SPD code has changed as well when my appeal was approved to change my narrative reason for separation. They new narrative and SPD code state other physical or mental condition which does call for the waiver. However I need to look into what options are available moving forward. I remain positive that there are options available and that there is more work to be done. Thank you for the information you’ve provided. SFC (Join to see)
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You are being denied by MEPS which means that not only did the Doctors there find fault with what they saw, but that their immediate higher up that reviews such found enough grounds for fault. It is a valid concern. The military is not day school. It is intense, high pressure and exacting and these are things that lead to it being a mental pressure cooker. You are not going for a job in the civilian sector, so abnormal stressors apply that cannot be quantified. You broke once, they are afraid you will do so again and so are erring on the side of caution. You are literally a liability that no one wants to take on.
My advice is two fold. Examine whether you truly want to be in the military. I mean truly. If you do then drive and keep going back and your recruiters will hopefully not lose faith and keep sending you up. You may get lucky and get through one time.
If not, then seek life elsewhere. Your discharge is not a negative reflection and you could have an excellent career in the civilan sector or even, if you chose... in Federal service.
My advice is two fold. Examine whether you truly want to be in the military. I mean truly. If you do then drive and keep going back and your recruiters will hopefully not lose faith and keep sending you up. You may get lucky and get through one time.
If not, then seek life elsewhere. Your discharge is not a negative reflection and you could have an excellent career in the civilan sector or even, if you chose... in Federal service.
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PFC Darrell Delmundo
As difficult as this process has been, I have over the years remained positive and determined in my resolve. The circumstances regarding my discharge although not favorable has never defined who I am nor the type of person or solider I know I can be. My experience has never been viewed as a negative but rather it has made me stronger and more determined to be better in the future. I am grateful and will continue to drive forward regardless of the out come or what life has in store.
Thank you for your response and words of encouragement.
Thank you for your response and words of encouragement.
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SFC William “Derrell” Chandler
If it happen while in service file for disability if they won’t let you back in
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PFC Darrell Delmundo
SFC William “Derrell” Chandler - I was denied a disability rating for anything related to behavioral health from the Army as they determined at the time of separation it was no longer an issue or it was "well into remission".
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1SG (Join to see)
An additional comment :
The vetting process at MEPS has to take into consideration how an individual will perform in a combat environment. Afterall, that is the reason this all exists. Despite your current documentation of improved mental health, you still have a history that must be considered
The vetting process at MEPS has to take into consideration how an individual will perform in a combat environment. Afterall, that is the reason this all exists. Despite your current documentation of improved mental health, you still have a history that must be considered
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