Medical Wavers

[DDog111075]

Hello , I'm a Marine wannabe and I'm fairly new to the site. Im going to try to follow the rules as much as possible here , and give all the former Marines and current Marines the utter most respect as possible.

Down to Business , i have researched this topic and could not find any similar ones so here's my question.

I had Heart surgery in 1st Grade , reason being from a valve in my heart that did not close when i was a baby. The problem was fixed and I'm perfectly normal. I'm in good physical condition , i have played soccer and volleyball all my life. More to the point , will the Marine Corps reject me because of this or can i get a Medical waver ?

The condition i had is no longer a problem , and I'm completely cured and no longer have of a heart murmur. Does anyone know ?

Respectfully submitted , DDog111075

[NoRemorse]

Since we're near end-strength expect to be looked at plenty hard for a variety of reasons. Good luck getting those records, anything after 7 years is a b!tch to get a hold of. They may be satisifed with a physical, an echo, a heart cath; whatever, there are options but all of them cost money.

Go talk to a recruiter.

[DDog111075]

Thanks for the reply NoRemorse. I had an echo cardiogram a year or two back and there where no issues. Im in good health. I just had a physical today as a matter of fact and asked my doctor if the military would accept me. He said they would but hes not a Marine recruiter.

[NoRemorse]

Thanks for the reply NoRemorse. I had an echo cardiogram a year or two back and there where no issues. Im in good health. I just had a physical today as a matter of fact and asked my doctor if the military would accept me. He said they would but hes not a Marine recruiter.

And a Marine recruiter isn't a MEPS doctor but he'll have a better idea. Ya ain't got nothing to lose but time and you'll lose plenty more of that at MEPS, but there's so much to gain.

[Hartford]

First step in the process is to talk to a recruiter. Bring your medical documents with you on the first visit so they can get them faxed up to MEPS.

[DDog111075]

where would i get my medical documents from ?

[DGardner]

where would i get my medical documents from ?

The office that did the surgery should have them. If not, check with your doctor.

[NoRemorse]

That's why I said good luck. You'd have to find out who performed the procedure and whether or not they retained any records. After 7-10 years or after closing an office most records are destroyed. Nowadays they digitize them and keep them on file.

You may not be able to get records so they'd probably run a different battery of tests on you to corroborate your story and medical history. Also, you could acquire any follow up documentation from after the surgery that details your condition.

But first talk to a recruiter.

[DDog111075]

Ok , i will get that squared away . Luckily i do know the doctor who performed the surgery, so hopefully he still does have the records. If not then i will have to settle with recent medical documents. But from any Marines point of view , do you think they will take me based on a problem that occurred when i was 6-7 years old ?

[DGardner]

Ok , i will get that squared away . Luckily i do know the doctor who performed the surgery, so hopefully he still does have the records. If not then i will have to settle with recent medical documents. But from any Marines point of view , do you think they will take me based on a problem that occurred when i was 6-7 years old ?

I'm certainly not a Marine but, heart problems are not something I would personally, waive that easily. They're serious and they're going to make darn sure that it's not going to flare up during Military service. Best of luck. Keep us updated.

[44ghad]

Well Dog, got to say you caught my attention with this one, being I'm going to have to see soon if my slpeenectomy will require a waiver or just a review. So yes I too trudged through gobs of internet uselessness looking for info. The best I found is an article saying med waivers depend largely on how badly the Corps needs bodies and/or the mos you're signing in for, plus it's kind of case by case. If you walk on water in evry other capacity then maybe the recruit commander will push your case anyway. I do have to say with any kind of heart deal you no doubt have a fight on your hands. Don't give up though, one recruiter supposedly called meps 3 times and got no for me, but another called with the rss commander and meps said bring the med docs. See my point? Ya it's just my search results but as far as I can tell there is but there isn't a canon. Confused now? Good. Welcome to my world

[DDog111075]

I'm fully capable of doing the work and the training, I'm ready for it. I just don't want my heart problem i HAD to be an issue. Its gone and its done with , and I'm not going to let it prevent me from being what i want most in life. Being a Marine in my life is my goal , i wanna be one of the best. So ill work on it as best as i can. Hopefully the end result is what i desire.

[NoRemorse]

Look, I had a heart attack at the age of 23-24 and I'm cleared for Active Duty pending a reenlistment code waiver.

Shut up and plan for success. Get your trash, square yourself away and go talk to a recruiter.

[DDog111075]

Roger that , I'm on it !

[44ghad]

Ya DDog if you boil down what I said you'l get what Pfc NoRemorse said. You keep plugging, do what you know you have to do, it'll work itself out. I think you're in a boat like me. Like my recruiter says "it's if you're gonna die during a run because you don't have an uneccessary organ" and like They keep reiterating here, theres no doc that frequents to refer to. So I would think you can prove non-progressive, non exclusion(from required training or service), and no danger to others or someone who may have to treat you.... obstcles sure but problem? Probably not. Once more if I might coat tale NoRemorse and make an addition- do what you have to, and if that means talking to a new recruiter.... ok? Keep fighting.