I have go to MEPS on Tuesday. My recruiter and I anticipate I will need a waiver due to some undiagnosed medical conditions. Marfan's Syndrome and Mitral Valve Prolapse.

He says that MEPS will probably DQ me but recommend a waiver. He also says that I will most likely not get the waiver approved through the Coast Guard.

Are waivers rarely approved in the CG?

quote:

I have go to MEPS on Tuesday. My recruiter and I anticipate I will need a waiver due to some undiagnosed medical conditions. Marfan's Syndrome and Mitral Valve Prolapse.

He says that MEPS will probably DQ me but recommend a waiver. He also says that I will most likely not get the waiver approved through the Coast Guard.

Are waivers rarely approved in the CG?

Your recruiter is setting your expectations. Let me put it into perspective. The Army is taking 80,000 people this year, they are approving waivers for everything.

The Coast Guard is taking only 3,500 people this year for active duty. A waiver means that person does not meet the enlistment standard. Everyone has to meet the enlistment standards to join, if they don't they can't. That's were a waiver comes in. Waivers are not a right of anyone applying, alot is based on needs of the service at the time and if the recruiter really feels the applicant would be a good fit for the Coast Guard. A waiver means the service is taking a chance on the applicant that they can at least finish their initial contract. Statistics have shown that people that need waivers typically wash out some point in their first 4 years. This can cost the American taxpayers in all the training the person received.

The Coast Guard needs Reserve right now, so more waivers are being considered than they are for active duty.

I wish you luck. CPO Kalbach

Ok, I have a couple questions here. Why....or better yet, how do you know if you have Marfan's Syndrome and Mitral Valve Prolapse if they are, as you stated, undiagnosed medical conditions??
I also hope that your recruiter would not send you to MEPS on Tuesday if , as you said he believes you would most likely not get the waiver approved through the Coast Guard.
Bottom line is, if you believe you have a medical problem, please see your doctor BEFORE going to MEPS.
Good luck to you, I hope all works out.

quote:

Ok, I have a couple questions here. Why....or better yet, how do you know if you have Marfan's Syndrome and Mitral Valve Prolapse if they are, as you stated, undiagnosed medical conditions??

Coastie, I must be tired!!! I ditto what Coastie just posted. CPO Kalbach

Marfan's Syndrome is a physical disability that can not be diagnosed without a genetic test.

It is similar to something in the DSM IV, where if you meet a certain criteria, they say you may have it. You do extensive testing, then they say for sure.

I am tall, lanky, have long fingers, and a couple of other things.

As far as Mitral Valve Prolapse, I had an echo that indicated trace MVP, but the tech said more testing would be needed to determine if the reading was accurate.

How common are CG waivers?

My usual policy is Don't Get Involved, but on this one I can't resist...

A syndrome such as Marfan's'which cannot be diagnosed through testing, but has known symptoms a.k.a. criteria would be considered 'diagnosed' if said criteria are met.
For example, before genetic tests, illnesses were considered 'diagnosed' if the patient met the criteria. As I said above, this continues today for illnesses/syndromes that still cannot be proved through tests.
Again, I say that I don't want to get involved, but I've had some experience in the medical world and have medical afflictions listed on my chart that are really only theory. That's my two cents for the day.

Coastie, I must be tired!!! I ditto what Coastie just posted. CPO Kalbach

CPO Kalbach,
Belive me, I would be exhausted if I worked as a full time recruiter AND answered all the hard questions on this forum as you. I don't think evryone knows you do both! Answering questions on this site alone could be a full time job!
And you do a great job!
You do a great service here for the applicants and the Coast Guard.
My hats off to ya!
JR

Well... I went through MEPS yesterday.

I saw 3 doctors and none of them commented on the more than 20 pages of medical documentation that had been provided during my pre-screen concerning Marfan's. However, I was DQ'd for having a history of tricuspid regurgitation.

I was told to have an EKG and a chest Xray. The CMO said if those came back clean he would write me a strong recommendation for waiver approval.

My EKG came back clean, but I don't have the Xray done until Thursday.

I'll keep everyone updated (incase anyone is or will be in a similar situation).

Since TR is a fairly common heart disease associated with MVP (which is not a disqualifier unless accompanied by other heart conditions), do you think a strong letter for approval would be accepted?

My recruiter said he would call and try to get an informal answer from the head doctor. My CG liaison at MEPS said waivers are hard to come by, but this one may receive approval.

Are there any links to CG waiver requirements and medical details.

I know of the medical manual, but it does not include anything regarding the nature of waivers or detailed information concerning medical conditions.

I'm looking for something similar to this:
http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/pdf...20-%20Cardiology.pdf
but for the CG.

I'd like to review it to see if TR is not a disqualifier. In the navy, even thought TR is a heart condition which is disqualifiable, mild-moderate TR does not require a waiver.

Good luck to you, I hope everything works out. Keep us updated.

quote:

Are there any links to CG waiver requirements and medical details.

I know of the medical manual, but it does not include anything regarding the nature of waivers or detailed information concerning medical conditions.

I'm looking for something similar to this:
http://www.nomi.med.navy.mil/NAMI/WaiverGuideTopics/pdf...20-%20Cardiology.pdf
but for the CG.

I'd like to review it to see if TR is not a disqualifier. In the navy, even thought TR is a heart condition which is disqualifiable, mild-moderate TR does not require a waiver.

Nope, nothing like that for the Coast Guard. All you can do is wait to see what your recruiter finds out from the CMO/waiver authority. CPO Kalbach

I find out what the CMO says at MEPS tomorrow after my Xray. My recruiter says he can call the head doctor of the Coast Guard and try to get an informal read. Have you heard of something like this?

quote:

I find out what the CMO says at MEPS tomorrow after my Xray. My recruiter says he can call the head doctor of the Coast Guard and try to get an informal read. Have you heard of something like this?

Yup, I've done it myself a few times. Your recruiter must feel you would be a good fit for the Coast Guard to consider sending up a waiver on you. Good luck. CPO Kalbach

Do you actually get to speak with Dr. Sanchez? I would figured every recruiter would be asking him, so he wouldn't have time to answer those personal questions.

In your experience, how long did the typical waiver take?

My Xray came back clean and the CMO at MEPS recommended my waiver and said I was DQ'd for having "very mild tricuspid regurgitation." The CMO is also a cardiologist, so his opinion should count.

I don't want to waste up to 4 months just to hear a "disapproved" if a CG waiver could take that long.

My wife and I are also thinking about the Navy. The CMO said the Coast Guard may or may not recommend it, but the Navy would in a heart beat.

Any comments would be appreciated.

quote:

I don't want to waste up to 4 months just to hear a "disapproved" if a CG waiver could take that long.

Make sure you communicate this to your recruiter. We can't read minds. It sounds like they are taking care of your situation. Patience is a virtue. You know I waited 6 months to join, and I didn't need any waivers. Was that 6 months worth it? YUP!!!! I'm going on 15 years in the CG now. Keep up the communication with your recruiter. CPO Kalbach

I've talked with my recruiter about it.

Have you actually been able to talk with Dr. Sanchez over the phone?

How long do waivers normally take (in your experience)?

quote:

Have you actually been able to talk with Dr. Sanchez over the phone?

ANSWER: yes a few times.

How long do waivers normally take (in your experience)?

ANSWER: all depends on alot of factors. People take leave, get sick, have family issues etc, etc, etc, etc. Your recruiter is on it, so stay in touch with them.

CPO Kalbach

so what was the end result on the marfan/mitral valve issue?