Aviation Medicine

Anyone have experience or know anyone that successfully contacted a Senator, Congressman or a Surgeon General and revered a decision after getting disqualified medically? I have H2 hearing (35db @ 500hz) in one ear, rest frequencies are perfect and mild chondromalacia in my shoulder which my surgeon said was caused by her doing my labrum repair surgery back from 07. Both of these conditions would not be a problem if I was already trained and still not an issue with FAA. I'm not expecting much, just wanted to make sure I exhausted all resources. Also would anyone know the best way to contact a surgeon general, specifically AFRC?

I got a feeling this is a huge shot in the dark ,but I''m currently looking into applying for the ANG and hoping for a position flying, but I know USAF medical standards can be pretty strict compared to the other branches. I've looked into all the other branches and AD or Reserve, but long story short, ANG is the direction I want to go in right now. I have an issue of corneal degeneration in my right eye at the moment that has never been a problem to my vision and last I saw the optometrist my vision was still good but I fear that this may not completely put me in the clear as far as flying for ANG is concerned. It's never been a problem as far as I can tell and …

Was at Brooks last week and found out I have a DQ condition known as Fleck dystrophy...basically little opaque spots on my cornea. They don't effect my vision at all, and they took a whole extra day to put me through every eye test I think ever invented, so I'm hoping the waiver process won't be too difficult. I also need a waiver for near acuity, but they were able to correct both my eyes down to 20/10. Also, the eye doc said the spots will not likely progress and get worse, so combined with that and the fact that my vision is correctable to 20/10, do you think I'll get the waiver pretty easily?

I have a few ROTC buddys who had PRK but were just DQd becasue of "corneal haze". After I get back from FT I am going to get PRK as well. What exactly is it? Is there anything I can do now to prevent it? is it common? I am hearing so many FC1 tragities it seems getting a slot is only half the battle

Has anyone else's FC1 appointments been cancelled? What all are you hearing back?

I've been asking around..sort of a back of the envelope survey. Any of the medics have an opinion on whether Gamma Globulin might be protective long term against the Cov-19 virus? Those I have asked "seem" to have avoided it so far. Strictly anecdotal.

Howdy everyone, Nice forum btw, im glad I ran across it. Anyways, just wondered if the aforementioned condition would cause any problems if I wanted to become an F16 pilot. Little background on this thing, I had the operation when I was about 6 months old. It is a very intrusive operation (brain could be seen). But this was over 21 years ago; I have not had any side effects because of this operation. The only thing that it did was give me a sweet scar right down the middle of my head. There are also some abnormal dips in my skull, but nothing to bad. But no mental side affects what so ever. I am an honor student who should be transferring to the University of Texas …

Hi all, I did a deep dive on this forum and couldn’t find a solid answer to this question. I’m headed to Wright-Patt at the end of February for my FC1, will I have any issues with urinalysis, blood work, etc. if I am taking supplemental creatine? Thanks in advance.

Hello all, I have been doing research for a few months now, and I am now adamant about joining the ANG. I would like to apply as a civilian to a fighter squadron when they have a position available. I am currently a civilian flight instructor with 400 hours flight time and I hold a First Class FAA Medical Certificate. While conducting research, I have found that the military medical standards, especially for flight, are high. Back in 2008, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease after suffering from mild abdominal pain. I was put on Remicade treatment, and I still receive that every 2 months to keep the disease in remission. I consider myself fortunate, as the only side …

Hi, I am a USAFA cadet, but I have taken the OVT depth perception test many times for solo flight considerations. The results were failures, so I am wondering if one needs to pass the OVT to be CSO medically qualified?

Hey guys, If I have monofixation disorder, what is the liklihood I could get a waiver to become a USAF Combat Systems Officer? I don't think I could pass that depth perception test and am just curious if they would waiver it or just disqualify me. If I can't would Navy NFO work? Thanks, George

I recently did my initial flight physical. I was initially told my vision would disqualify my from pilot, which I knew, but I would be good for CSO. My recruiter call me back yesterday and said I had been disqualified from both due to vision. When I was at the clinic that day, the med tech and I checked a vision standards chart and my refractive error fell into the CSO acceptable category, my refractive error is -4.00 in both eyes. I'm corrected to 20/15 in both eyes. Does anyone know if the standards have been changed recently, or if there is some other mix up that could have caused this? Thanks

Hey, Does anyone know if having excessive cupping of the optic disc is grounds for DQ or if it is possible to get a waiver (if necessary)? So far the pressure tests were within the limits but the cup to disc ratio was 0.4 and I think it is suppose to be below 0.3. Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks

I just recently discovered via research on Google that I have a Pilonidal cyst. I'm a current/qualified AF pilot and was wondering if anyone here has had or known of someone who successfully dealt with this issue and returned to fly? It looks like it's a pretty simple procedure. I just don't want to talk to a flight doc before I can get some feedback.Anyone? Here's what I found in AFI 48-123 regarding the issue. 6.44.20.9. Pilonidal cyst, if there is a history of inflammation or discharging sinus in the 2 years preceding examination. Surgery for pilonidal cyst or sinus is disqualifying until the wound is healed, there are no referable symptoms, and no further trea…

Hey guys. So I’m a current rated C-17 pilot. I just had a contact exam and they upped my contact prescription to -3.0 power in both eyes. Said vision was 20/200 but easily corrected to 20/20 and no issues. My question is how does this usually play out if/when my eyes worsen from this point?? I read that -3.0 is the limit for pilots. Thanks in advance.

What if you are correctable to 20/20 (within refraction limits), pass MEPS.. But then you goto your FC1 Physical, and under Cycloplegic tests, they see your refraction is more than +2. like +2.5, which is beyond limits. Is there some sort of discretion there? Reason is that my eye muscles are juiced up beyond belief, so good, that they make up for one of my eyes being an actual +2.5 in cycloplegic tests.

Has anyone read the updated 48-123. I am a RPA pilot select, according the AFI I am only required a IFCIII and MFS (phycological). All IFCIII items can be processed as all FOMC and BOMC locations. I have completed all IFCIII requirements and they are packaging my stuff to send to Wright Patt for a 2808 to get signed. Wright Patts response is that the Regulation is wrong and RPA pilots need an IFCII and that everything will need to be done at location Wright-Patt. DAFMAN date 8 December 2020, so anyones educated thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

A new DD Form 2992, "Medical Recommendation for Flying or Special Duty," has been published. This form will shortly replace the AF Form 1042 (and the DA 4186 and NAVMED 6410 for the other services) which are now "obsolete" (so sayeth the form). Ideally it will allow electronic signatures so folks don't need to deal with physical routing and filing anymore. No news yet from the programmers that manage the medical system (ASIMS) on a timeline for the switch. I expect it will be fairly soon. It is available at: https://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/forms/eforms/dd2992.pdf

Hey guys. So here's the deal. I passed my FC1 with flying colors back in March and felt great. Started experiencing a chronic fatigue situation maybe around June and enlisted in August with the expectation that with some rest and a healthy lifestyle I could shake the fatigue situation off before heading to OTS in January. Well that hasn't happened so I've had to bump my OTS date back a couple months and now I'm under pressure to get it resolved. I've had some additional testing done and doctors can't find anything wrong with me but I feel like I got hit by a truck. Doctors have stated that it isn't really uncommon but often times it is not a diagnosable condition, and it …

Hi All, I am currently working a waiver for a herniated disc in my low back. I had a discectomy just over 3 months ago, and was under the impression I had demonstrated the requisite stability noted in the waiver guide. I just talked with one of the flight doctors who is holding up my waiver as they are unsure as to when exactly my symptoms/back issue was stable. My previous flight doctor (who has separated) believed it was once the discectomy was complete the stability could start assuming I did not regress. This new flight doctor is unsure as to when stability will start and is holding up my waiver until she hears back from folks at ACS. Does anyone have any experi…

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Would a fractured coronoid process keep someone off of flying status? My friend has seen two dentists and an oral surgeon with regard to this, they all said there is really nothing you can do except let it heal on its own. Which should take about 6 months. I know that he has trouble eating foods that require a lot of tearing, but other than that he still gets along with no other physical issues. But again is this something that would cause him to be placed DNIF and if so for how long?

Question for those of you retiring soon, is there a difference between getting any health medical paperwork while deployed vs. home station, in regards to later getting out and making your case for disability? Does it carry more weight since it’s in the AOR? Thanks

In High School, I was diagnosed with depression, and was put on Lexapro for 4 months. It hasn't recurred since and I've otherwise been perfectly normal. How much of a problem will this be?

An 18 year old high school graduate is interested in enlisting in the Air National Guard. Recruiter says that since he answered that he has seen a mental health counselor for depression, that he is ineligible for service until 3 years since seeing the counselor. Reviewing the Air Force Waiver Guide, I'm finding different information than what the recruiter conveyed. Additionally, I'm not sure what the appropriate "Flying Class" is for this particular individual. Page 567 shows Table 1: Waiver potential for mood disorders. Said individual's goal is to be a Crew Chief. My main point of confusion is these two notes under the table; The first of the…