Understanding the Medical Waiver Approval/Denial Process in the US Military

The process for obtaining a medical waiver in the US military can be complex and varies in duration based on several factors including the medical history, documentation provided, and internal processing delays. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the steps involved and the typical timeframes for each stage.

Potential Recruit's Initial Report

When a potential recruit reports a significant medical history on the DD2807-2, their recruiter must immediately submit this information to the Medical Evaluation Processing System (MEPS) for thorough review. This initial submission must adhere to a specific order of roughly five documents and must be properly formatted, with minor errors caught and corrected along the way.

The complete submission is generally reviewed and processed within about three business days. During this process, the applicant’s records are pulled to verify the claimed conditions.

Evaluation at MEPS and Additional Documentation

If sufficient medical records support the claimed condition, the application moves forward. Should the documentation be insufficient or if additional unclaimed conditions are discovered, the application will be rejected and the applicant will be asked to provide the required records.

Once these documents are produced and verified, the application will be reviewed internally for further analysis. The entire review process at MEPS is designed to be holistic, and the applicant may undergo a physical exam—regardless of the waiver outcome—once all required documentation is in place.

Review by CMO and Processing

Upon completing MEPS review, the application is submitted to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). The CMO reviews the documents, and the timeframe for completion can take up to 30 days. However, the CMO may take as long as needed to thoroughly review the documents. After review, a physical exam is authorized, and the MEPS medical team conducts the exam. The result of this physical exam almost invariably leads to disqualification of the recruit, as the culture at MEPS is extremely cautious about waiving medical conditions.

Branch-Specific Waiver Authorities

The application then proceeds to the appropriate branch within the military, which has its own specific requirements for additional documentation and may need to consult with specialist doctors for a complete picture of the applicant’s health. This stage of the process typically takes around 45 business days but can be faster in some cases. If the branch denies the waiver, the application is deemed unsuccessful, and the recruit must seek alternative branches for service.

If the branch approves the waiver, the decision is forwarded back to MEPS, and the recruit’s status changes to available for service, though the process may take additional time for final approval.

Timeline and Variability

Typically, the entire medical waiver approval/denial process, from the initial submission to final decision, can take between 2 to 3 months, assuming a moderate workload and minimal errors. In the worst-case scenario, the process can be set back by up to six months due to more complex cases, poor timing, or low-effort recruitment.

Conclusion

Understanding the steps and expected timelines can help potential recruits better prepare for the medical waiver process in the US military. While this process can be lengthy and rigorous, thorough preparation and close communication with recruiters and medical professionals can improve the chances of obtaining a successful waiver.