Would a preexisting knee injury be permanently disqualifying me from enlisting?

Kieran Roper — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 13:31:55 -0400

I have an old knee injury and no longer have the medial meniscus in my right knee, would this condition be permanently disqualifying. Or can I still be wavered into the military I don't have any restrictions in movement and I work out 5 days a week, I was just wondering if anyone on here has had the same kind of experience and could share some insight.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 30 at 2020 1:42 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 13:42:15 -0400

Talk to a recruiter. It depends on the medical exam at MEPS.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2020 2:08 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 14:08:55 -0400

I had a meniscal tear the year before I joined in 1992. I recovered long before I swore in, and it never gave me any problems. Yours might be different.

Tell your recruiter, though. It's better to head problems off before you get too involved. Good luck!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2020 3:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 15:57:27 -0400

If you have not already talked to a recruiter, that is the best place to get this answer. I will tell you that you are going to have an up hill battle, but not impossible. Have all your medical documents with you when you got to see the recruiter and be honest with them. I had a knee injury and it required a waiver to get back in, however my injury was service related so it was a different process to re-enlist. It will take longer to get signed up, but when you get the waiver approved, and put the uniform on for the first time it is all worth it! Best of luck!

Response by SP5 D Mac made Jul 30 at 2020 4:11 PM

SP5 D Mac — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 16:11:07 -0400

while I would advise that you disclose it before MEPS it is not mandatory if it happened over 10 years ago and doesn't affect you with pain discomfort or range of motion. If it is aggravated from any physical activity and that is 70% of military life then you wouldn't qualify for a waiver because you would have a service aggravated claim if you were to be separated. I had an ACL tear in 1991 with 20% of my meniscus removed and I needed a waiver and I luckily never had issues with any physical activity other than running but when I did have pain I sucked it up ( unadvisable ) so its possible, just make sure that once you get in you complete your 1st 4 years of enlistment before complaining if you have to complain.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 30 at 2020 4:29 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 16:29:58 -0400

This is better asked of a recruiter. The fact is that the military fitness requirements are not linear, and definitely taxing. There are also very riverside training and deployment on uneven terrain with very heavy ruck sacks. My point being that if you are allowed to serve, later injuring that knee it will be identified as preexisting and you would be separated. Having said that, many claim to have done similar, good luck.

Response by MAJ John Lavin made Jul 30 at 2020 5:27 PM

MAJ John Lavin — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 17:27:05 -0400

Why haven't you had a knee replacement? This is way too iffy a thing to advise you any way. But lets put it this way just to make it easy for both of us. How much money do you have saved up? If you were offered a bet, a real honest bet, where you bet all the money you have saved up that you could finish basic, AIT, other advanced training like Ranger School or Airborne School or Repelling School or any of the other military schools without crashing your knee totally before you finish and are forced out of the military on a general discharge, would you take the bet?

Response by SFC James Cameron made Jul 30 at 2020 9:32 PM

SFC James Cameron — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 21:32:56 -0400

So this is where you need to weigh options very carefully and specifically. I was medically retired following multiple attempts at reconstructive intervention of my right knee. I destroyed the entire medial femoral condyle and was running around with impingement and bone to bone contact. So with your current knowledge of your condition and it being documented; any following injury during training will be most likely considered EPTS (existing prior to service) and will not receive evaluation for a disability rating. The VA also only rates knees at a 10 percent disability unless there has been a total replacement which increases the rating to 40 percent.

I admire your patriotism and say talk to a recruiter. The worst that can happen is being told no.