Trying to Understand Where I Am in the Waiver Process (Pneumothorax)

[aagmanrelan]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently trying to figure out where I stand in the medical waiver process and was hoping someone here could give me some insight.

I went to Boston MEPS on April 1, 2025. Everything went smoothly — no issues or questions from the doctor, and all my test results were within acceptable range.

A few weeks later, my recruiter contacted me and said they needed to see my chest CT scans to move forward with a waiver for a history of pneumothorax. I asked my doctor to schedule the scan, and it was finally done on June 25. While waiting for the CT scan, I submitted my chest X-rays in hopes of at least starting the waiver process.

I assumed the waiver would be reviewed and possibly kicked back asking for the CT scan, but according to my recruiter, there’s been no movement at all. It’s just stuck in “processing.” He even asked his supervisor to check on it, but all they’re being told is that it’s still under review.

About a week ago, I submitted the CT images, and my recruiter attached them to the original waiver application. But again, no new updates.

So it’s been about 8 weeks since the waiver request was initially submitted with my X-ray images. I’m just wondering: What’s the typical turnaround time for BUMED to review and give a waiver recommendation? Is this kind of delay normal?
Is there any contact I can reach out to at BUMED to see what the hold up is.

I check in weekly with my recruiter.

Any info or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently trying to figure out where I stand in the medical waiver process and was hoping someone here could give me some insight.

I went to Boston MEPS on April 1, 2025. Everything went smoothly — no issues or questions from the doctor, and all my test results were within acceptable range.

A few weeks later, my recruiter contacted me and said they needed to see my chest CT scans to move forward with a waiver for a history of pneumothorax. I asked my doctor to schedule the scan, and it was finally done on June 25. While waiting for the CT scan, I submitted my chest X-rays in hopes of at least starting the waiver process.

I assumed the waiver would be reviewed and possibly kicked back asking for the CT scan, but according to my recruiter, there’s been no movement at all. It’s just stuck in “processing.” He even asked his supervisor to check on it, but all they’re being told is that it’s still under review.

About a week ago, I submitted the CT images, and my recruiter attached them to the original waiver application. But again, no new updates.

So it’s been about 8 weeks since the waiver request was initially submitted with my X-ray images. I’m just wondering: What’s the typical turnaround time for BUMED to review and give a waiver recommendation? Is this kind of delay normal?
Is there any contact I can reach out to at BUMED to see what the hold up is.

I check in weekly with my recruiter.

Any info or similar experiences would be appreciated. Thanks!

I wish there was good info on how long it could take, I saw some waivers just take 1-2 weeks, others with all the documentation, consults, more questions, more consults take over a year.

It sounds like your recruiter is at least asking questions, but under review could mean a lot of things. If it is like I remember when you submit more info it kicks it back to the beginning for the review process.