US ARMY MEDICAL WAIVER PROCESS | ADHD, ADD, DEPRESSION, ASTHMA, SELF HARM, SUICIDE, ETC…

Thank you Team Swartz, my medical waiver was approved following your guidance from this exact video… I’m so excited I will be joining very soon!!! I was disqualified at meps with a 3 on my L : Lower Extremities my waiver was approve a week later.. Thank you thank you !!!!!!

I went to meps and I passed everything except the genesis.
Doctor said I had took adhd medication which means I might’ve had an IEP.
I graduated in 2018 and yes I did have an IEP but it wasn’t for accommodations like extra test time or anything.
It was simple check in’s to see how I’m doing in class and if there was any changes that needed to be done. Like if I wasn’t going to class or if I was failing a class.
I admit I did ditch class a couple of times but from what I’ve experienced a lot of kids did/do that. It doesn’t make it right but it’s common. I own it though and can admit it wasn’t the best decision.

That’s all I can remember from my IEPs really
I mean it’ll say something’s in there about my past but itll also say how I’ve grown significantly and even graduated with a normal diploma.

I turned in all my paper work along with my mangers letter. I didn’t do school because I really don’t know what I want to major in or if I really want to do school again. But I turned in my evaluation stating that adhd Isn’t something that affects my life anymore and that I’ve been off medication for over 6 yrs along with being stable all together.

My pharmacy papers along with a letter stating I haven’t received medication from them in over 4 yrs .

And my transcripts with my IEP paperwork.

I haven’t heard that I’ve been DQ’d and my recruiter says that everything should be fine because I haven’t been on medication in over 6 yrs along with my diploma being a regular HS diploma .

He sent my paperwork Thursday/Friday I believe and he says that status is received.

I wanted to hear some of your feedback on my matter ..
Do you think I have a low or high/mid possibility of joining?
I’m 24 btw so I’ve lived some life and I can honestly say I’m not the same person I was when I was highschool/18.
I feel I’ve grown even more through the experiences I’ve had while being an adult in this world.
I’m also trying to go navy.

How difficult do you think it would be to get a waiver for hearing loss of high frequency in one ear? (Shooters ear)

I have a food allergy. I know in the past you have said 99/100 times the waiver will be denied. I was wondering what you think about an emerging treatment called immunotherapy which desensitizes allergic peoples to their allergy, allowing them to eat as much as they want of the reactant without any reactions without any medication once treatment is concluded. However you do have to eat the allergen like once a month to maintain desensitization, though in some cases people are cured without needing to even eat the allergen anymore. I know you said allergies are pretty much guaranteed permanent disqualification but I was wondering if you think immunotherapy could change this.

Hi, I had to use antidepressants for one year due a family situation I was going through. I got a letter from my therapist stating I was fine and didn’t need the medication anymore. I had to go to a psych consultation through meps, dr said I was fine to go. It has being 3 months already, and I haven’t heard if my waiver was approved or not. What can I do?

i just went through the entire waiver process for adhd medicine that i took and to get statements from doctors and the adhd testing that had been done to prove if i had it or not. i even had to write a statement saying my side of why i was prescribed the medicine. then i had to send prescription history form the last 3 years that showed i was only prescribed once ever in my life for that one medicine. process sound like alot but in total it was about a month before i got the ok to do my full med exam and this was around the holidays. as long as you send what they ask you will move along smoothly

Applied for my medical waiver for ADHD w/o hyperactivity in February of 2023 now coming up on February 2024. All the website says is Waiver under review and have no word if the surgeon general has even looked at it.

Hi ! I really want to join the nurse corps I had spinal fusion surgery in 2020 , by the time I hope to join it will have been 7 years post op. I already work in nursing now and have 0 constrictions or complications have you or anyone reading this heard of being denied a medical waiver ?

Hey, SGT. I went to the MEPS and passed my physical only to need two waivers for a headache and anxiety. I went to a Doctor and got a medical clearance letter stating that I got my full history checked and received a physical which I passed. The Doctor mentioned my past chart notes and stated she reviewed it all using EPIC. The letter mentions how the headaches were related to chemical exposure and only was a one time occurrence. It also states in the letter that I do NOT have an anxiety disorder and that I’m fit for duty. My recruiter told me the headaches are cleared but I have to have a virtual meeting with a counselor about my anxiety before approving my waiver. Do you have any ideas or tips on what this counseling will intel?? I’d also like to know if there are any trigger words or information I shouldn’t overshare in order to get my desired outcome?? I thought my medical clearance would be enough but now I’m feeling discouraged. I was ready to leave immediately but now I have to wait for them to schedule an appointment with me and hopefully approve me. Thank you in advance for the help and your helpful content.

This helped me feel better about not ghosting or rejecting the recruiters. I will tell them I watched this and will work on my all clear letters. Thank you so much.

I went to meps the doctor looked at my history I went to the doctor for asthma they prescribed me with a inhaler 9 months ago I never used it nor picked it up my recruiter drove me to cvs and Walgreens and looked at 5 years of history and nothing with asthma showed up. I did a breathing test it showed I had a 4% chance I have asthma the doctor told me if anything I have mid asthma or asthma like symptoms but not when I'm working out and running. What are my chances of joining

I had finished my eye consult yesterday for the Army and gave the report to MEPS i have really bad vision on my left eye wear the optic nerve was damaged from high eye pressure. I can only see the biggest letter on the Eye letter chart (sometimes)
I was told to expect an answer either this month or early February.
Will update the status on the waiver here

I know this is a army channel but today is one of the worst days because my recruiter just sent me an email saying that I'm disqualified for enlistment. In this PDF I received says that I do not meet the waiver criteria. Is there still a possibility for me to enlisting?

{{The Air Force does have the ability to grant medical waivers beyond the standards listed in this
instruction, but after a thorough review, taking into consideration your medical condition(s) and how
it(they) applies(apply) to the needs of the Air Force, and your own health and safety, it was determined by
our medical team that your condition(s) also does not meet waiver criteria for accession as annotated
below:
DISQ Q82.4 - Ectodermal dysplasia (anhidrotic= inability to sweat) --------->> I'm 19 played sports all mi life and never had a heart issue.
DISQ H52.209 - Unspecified astigmatism, unspecified eye}}
{{Unfortunately, your condition(s) is(are) such that even with the passage of time, a waiver would not be
considered in the future. However, if an error was made regarding your prior diagnosis, then new clinical
notes (not just a memo from a provider) about the status of the condition may be provided to your
recruiter, who can submit them to our medical waiver division and a re-inquiry into your case would be
possible.}}

Genuinely the best video I’ve ever seen on the waiver process. I need a waiver for anxiety, depression, and ADD. Went through everything that he mentioned. Just finished that last step I needed of the consultation, and it went well, Meps agreed. Just put through for the waiver, waiting on the results.

Edit: My waiver got approved after 1 year and 5 months of waiting. Trust the process, this video actually has more knowledge on the process than most recruiters.

I got disqualified from meps about a week ago for suicidal thoughts in 2022. I had diagnosed depression and anxiety, took general anti-depressants for about three years and did therapy for like four. I got off of the meds four years ago, and the mental illness diagnoses were cleared before I went to meps. I know the army is a little more relaxed on it's mental health restrictions, if I were to enlist in the army do you think I'd get in? Suicidal thoughts was 24 months ago and that's the only mention of it on my record and I'm getting a new psych evaluation in about a week or so.

Hey Swartz! I’m prior service! I got out on a condition which is depression. I’m claiming VA benefits for it. But my prescription wasnt to be put on meds. They said I just had to talk to someone(anybody) because they said my depression wasn’t bad I just kept ot bunched up. Fast forward I want to join the military again but I haven’t been to no doctor since I got evalved at the VA clinic. No therapist or anything. Would I still need to get cleared before I even attempt it? It’s been more than 4 years since I got out and 2 years since I claimed the vaccine benefits

Current a type 2 diabetic. I am 26 and hoping to get a waiver if my A1C is at normal range. Any hope for me?

hii!, i was separated during bmt for an adjustment disorder. when coming back home i was put on antidepressants for about 2 months.
in 2/3 months ill be 12 months off of them.
but my recruiter told me to try again in 3 years. do you recommend just talking to a different recruiter or going to a different branch?

@TEAM SWARTZ i did hear you say you wouldn’t reply to comments that were discussed in the video and was really hoping to hear if you were gonna go over people with eczema and psoriasis. I’m willing to jump through the hoop to join the army to potentially be a 12bravo but didn’t before I talked to a recruiter and realize psoriasis was a big factor in being able to join, I’m taking medicine injections (stellara) for it and I’m pretty much free of scabs and flares. Was wondering if you know anything about still being able to join since I’ve basically got my skin under control now?

It's crazy how many hoops you have to jump through for some of these. That being said, I'm still going to happily jump through every single one of them if it means I can become a marine.

I got an EPTS discharge for depression, and since then I have slightly torn my left labrum (fixed without surgery) and broken my right wrist (fixed with 2 surgeries. No plate inside anymore). How hard will a waiver be for this?

Does anyone knows if I can join with sleep apnea and using cpap machine ? You guys think I can get a waves for it ?

I’m 17 and want to join when I graduate in 2025 but I had gotten prescribed anti depressants bc I got depressed when I broke my back. If I go through 15 months without treatment and be honest on why I was depressed which is bc I broke my back rodeoing and lost rodeo. It stopped when I was able to get out of the house and start doing stuff again such as hiking and hunting and being able to go fishing again, as well as being able to help around the house again and the list goes on and on . Guitar and hiking as well as regular excerise helped me feel better and finding God as well and helping others out. My support system is my some of my co workers and my dad as well as some friends and my coping mechanisms are playing guitar hiking in the country behind my house with my dog. Do you think I will be approved, I hope I am my grandpa and great grandpa and great great grandpa were marines my cousin is in Marsoc as a dog handler and I’m part native America so my ancestors were always warriors. So it would mean the whole world to me to be accepted

Sir I am near sighted but it’s correctable to 20/20 I wear contacts also, I have white coat syndrome I tend to get a little nervous when scared help pleaee sir

Have people in the past gotten approved for schizophrenia?

@TeamSwartz, I was wondering if you could comment on my specific situation.

At the beginning of this year, my doctor suggested I try Zoloft to help rest. Only after the fact did I find out he gave me a General Anxiety Disorder. However, I only tried it a few times and he marked me as being stable on my medical record.

I never really wanted it again but over the holidays, due to work related stress, I asked him about it for sleep purposes. Again, I found out he gave me another unstable GAD diagnosis. I never picked up the Zoloft though as I found out the next day that it was a medical/mental health disqualification and immediately had my pharmacy cancel it.

I went back to see my doctor the next week and explained everything. Although he can’t take previous diagnoses/prescriptions off my record, he did update my record to say I never picked up the second prescription, that I only had stress relative to that of the general population, that I have not taken or needed the medication since January of this year (2023), and that I have no mental illness.

For context, I'd be going in as an officer in a non-combatant position, with over 10 years of civilian experience and a masters. It is a position of critical need in the Army, but I prefer Air Force (where it is needed, but not as critically). Air Force recruiters specific to my potential role are confident I can get a waiver after having been off of Zoloft for a year (which according to my medical records, I will have been as of January); Army recruiters specific to my role even said after having been off of it 3 months they were confident in getting a waiver.

Any thoughts on my specific situation? Thanks.

I got roofied at a party when I was 19, I went to the hospital and I lied to the doctor saying that I consumed it myself because I thought my “friend” at the time was going to get into serious trouble if I told them that he drugged me. The lie that I told to the doctor is in my medical record word for word
I am 21 now my recruiter said as long as I was never involved in a crime of that particular drug, I’m good
It will be a medical waiver. However I still have doubts. Any thoughts?

So I have a question about someone who has hepatitis B can be eligible to join army

I have to get a waiver for eczema which I’m not worried about but I’m scared about my depression waiver. I have Major Depression and I was diagnosed at 12. Im almost 21. I haven’t taken medication in years although I’ve been prescribed. I have attended counseling but my therapist thinks I might have PTSD 😅 I hope not but I’m praying I can get my mental health waiver approved. I’ve worked hard to get in a better headspace.

What if they hit on a prescription drug that is commonly used for Asthma but you never had Asthma? It was used for a upper respiratory infection?

Hi. I was wondering what’s the chances of me attaining an ETP(exception to policy) for a shoulder surgery I had earlier this year? I’m trying to go Ranger and I know Airborne is non waiver able. I’m planning to get all the documentation from my surgeon and physical therapist to support my goal of getting an OP 40 contract but I know I’ll have to get that ETP and get checked out by an Airborne Doc.

How likely am I to get a waiver from the Army (or any branch) for H3 hearing? Have never had any issues in my life with hearing from regular life scenarios but I guess my higher frequencies were bad on the MEPS test. I will say I was congested and sleep deprived when I took the test.

I went MEPs and I’m greatly discouraged. It took 3 months to pass a drug test. I scored a 67 on the ASVAB and have 75 credits towards my bachelors. I have disqualifications for ADHD and Prozac for depression, something with my hip, and An IEP. I haven’t taken my Prozac or adhd for a year in half. Come may 2024 I wouldn’t have gotten a refill for 24months. I do believe I was misdiagnosed because I stopped using it 2 months after receiving it. It gave me headaches and made me overwhelmed. As for the IEP my mom and counselor kept me on it against my wishes for college assistance. I was A & B grades for a little of sophomore, junior, and Senior year. I went into college unassisted because I truly didn’t feel like I needed it. My hip disqualification literally says it doesn’t affect my running or working out. I’m worried I won’t make it.

Thanks foir the advice, you've mentioned medication for ADHD and anxiety, but what are the army's rules and customs arround therapy?

What are your chances for 3 waivers one being asthma that you dont have second for flat feet that dont bother u and last vitamin D levels that are no longer low

I never took antidepressants but I was diagnosed and prescribed. What do I do now?

I know your video didn't cover it but ive already done tons of research myself and I know im disqualified. At 16 I started going through episodes of psychosis and was diagnosed with schizophrenia not to long after. (I'm 19 now and im nearly two years free from any symptoms) Ever since I was little I wanted to be a Medic or at least service in any way that I could but my brain chemistry decided otherwise, It does hurt but I understand that I would be a bigger liability than help.

There is a new doctor in Virginia, who reviews medical waivers. This doctor is very picky and a lot of people getting in trouble now

Question got discharged recently due to medical didn’t make it to basic was in a car accident jaw was broken did cray at reception found out I had some bone loss was told needed to have surgery and fix that and I can re enlist what are the chances that waiver getting approved have had the surgery it went well I also have a lower partial

Quick question, I had to go through a consult at MEPS and met the doc who got my document and put a stamp on it. Before I checked out, the admins did have to type in some medical waiver codes in my file. Does this mean I’m cleared at MEPS and now the decision is up to whatever branch I’m applying to?
(Just trying to make sure I understood your explanation correctly.)

Great video! I’m so thankful to have had my waiver approved a couple days ago to enter into the Air Force! I just have to go back and sign my contract and swear in! ✈️🎊

I had to go through a consult and got a stamp from the doc, and got rejected by another branch. Hoping the Army is more lenient on vision waivers. No tear in the retina, but a bad eyesight and some mild lattice degeneration. Thanks for the video.

Thank you so much for the info. So my son wants to join the Military but was diagnosed with bipolar but is stable with medications no problems. He 17 holds two jobs, even graduating early at 17 because his grades are excellent. Would be eligible for a waiver?

Hey SGT!
I served 9 months in RA as an ammunition specialist.
Passed BCT & AIT & went on to bliss.
Everything was great. But suddenly my mother let me in on what was going on in the home front.

She informed me that my sister had a depression and attempted overdosing and drugged up driving. She attempted suicide once but thankfully didn’t execute.
I felt so dark & low.. I started feeling helpless and like a horrible brother to not be there for her.
After a week of feeling this way, I let my command know that I was having ideations and a major depression but couldn’t get the reason out to them. I don’t know why but it felt like I was gonna get in trouble for having feelings.

I didn’t have any preexisting mental conditions. I think it was cause and terrible effect.
Since telling to my command I went to behavioral health as recommended.

They ended up seperating me on a JFV & re code: 3
So I’m able to reenlist on a medical waiver.
Mind you this happened in 2018 I was approximately 11 months into my 4 year contract

What do think my chances are with medical wavier?

I was told by my recruiter/civilian medical staff that It would be beneficial for me to go to the VA and get a psych evaluation from a specialist.
Get a clean bill/receipt of health And use it towards proof.

Any thoughts? I miss the military and miss the regimental lifestyle. I live in an area of NY that’s a black hole that will swallow you if u stay around ur peers. (Negative hole)
I had no ailments stopping me from doing my military duties and PT & training. It was just what was going on at home @ the VERY specific time.

Is there any shot that I could come back??

I was denied a waiver by two recruiters for a (medical/mental) condition of schizophrenia. What are your thoughts on this condition?

I used to have learning disabilities in elementary school and it took me 6 years to get back on my feet. I took special education classes. I'm in good standing will that disqualified me from enlisting.

Hey Swartz. I was confident about my journey to becoming a soldier till I saw a bit of what happens during MEPs.
If someone were to get a cover up tattoo over scars that weren’t listed on any medical records, would it go unnoticed (granted the tattoo covers it well enough.) I know some branches can be picky about tattoo placement as well so I’d like to know.

Hey I come to ask. I took anti depressents before but i haven't took them in over a year. And I had hdhd meds when I was a kid I dont them them either. Will I still be able to pass meps? My recruiter says I will need waviers for both.