Medically Disqualified with no waiver

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Hello...I am a recent new grad nurse with my BSN. I have taken and passed boards also. I have always wanted to join the Army as a nurse and I recently went through the whole process. Today, my recruiter called me and said I was medically disqualified and not recommended to get a waiver.

I have a history of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis with Iritis...When I told the PA this (who specializes in Rheumatology) he believes I may actually have Spondylo-Arthritis. I had a pelvic xray and blood taken at the time.

Now, I have been medically fine for over 16 years (I'm 24) and my medically history does not hold me back in my job at all (or anything really).

I am going to get a copy of this physcical shortly....is there no hope for me now to join the Army or any branch of service??? I have read other threads on here and they haven't really helped me. Should I maybe look into getting a new recruiter? He's very nice, but seems not to always know everything.

I was hoping because I am a nurse and that they need nurses that I would get they waiver. I also know the Army Reserve is at 90-95% capacity and the March board is the last for this year. So maybe they don't need me bad enough to clear me? :cry:

Any help is appreciated....maybe I just need some time to get over this...:crying2:

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I'm sorry to hear that. It seems we put all our hopes and dreams into one thing and then it gets smashed to bits very quickly and abruptly. If you have been DQ medically, I don't think that a different recruiter will be able to help with that. You may want to look into other branches perhaps AF, Navy, or the USPHS. This is not the end of the world. Work in the civilian world is not as bad as you may think. Once you get a few years (I enjoy critical care) try traveling. Travel nurses have a lot of fun!

Either way I'm sorry about your news and I KNOW you will be fine in time. It will all work out. Keep your head up.

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Thanks for your reply!

I just recieved my physical results and I was disqualified for having Iritis (which I don't believe I have anymore) and for having a cataract (which I can have removed).

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Specializes in ED, Cardiology.

Nikkie, sorry about your DQ.

I still have to go for my physical and are also worried about a medical DQ for a chronic illness which has never been treated. I feel your pain. My understanding is that you could go to another branch and have a new MEPS. That is per my recruiter.

Sorry!

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Nikkie, sorry about your DQ.

I still have to go for my physical and are also worried about a medical DQ for a chronic illness which has never been treated. I feel your pain. My understanding is that you could go to another branch and have a new MEPS. That is per my recruiter.

Sorry!

One of the questions on my medical questionnaire asked if I had ever been disqualified by any other branch.

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Think of it like this:

If your illness has never been treated, then as far as the military is concerned, its never existed. Don't give them reasons to disqualify you.

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By the way at least you received a straight answer I never received anything in writing or any straight answers from the Air Force on my DQ...

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All branches of the military use MEPS to process / select recruits.. they follow the same regulation - there is always opportunities where there might be exceptions from job to job, time to time, branch to branch... but for the most part there is little incentive for the military to alter their standards when they can wait for the next applicant - and in many cases this is for the better despite how much it sucks at the individual level.. but that is not where the focus is - nor where it should be IMHO....

I agree with cursed irishman's advice above. Best of luck.

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Just a comment on the last part of this discussion.... There is a difference between a chronic illness not being treated and it not having been diagnosed... If there is absolutely NO RECORD of your illness, then by all means, make them find it themselves, BUT if there is record of it, the consequences of a fraudulent contract could be ugly, if it is discovered later.

Just my $0.02,

LA40

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Specializes in ED, Cardiology.

thanks guys!

i disclosed the chronic “illness” at the first talk with the recruiter, i currently have a good job (or better 3 great jobs) and if i don't get to join, i will be sad...but i tried and the decision was made for me. we will see, i should know in the next weeks. hope you had a good weekend!

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