Medical appeal upheld after being graded P8 3 times!

[flamingoose]

Hi there, i thought its worth posting that i have actually had some luck on the medical appeals process.

I applied to join the Army Reserve about July time last year and was instantly rejected via the online medical (possible mongy heart, murmur etc as a kid). I knew this was on my medical record so declared it. I then appealed as I also knew that I was checked out as a kid and was cleared but as a result of poorly worded reports by the docs this appeal was rejected.

I then re appealed after getting my GP to send me to a cardiologist (to have an ECG/ECHO which I waited ages for and then found out they can carry out at the Army assessment centre anyway!!!) and with this new and upto date evidence my appeal was upheld and I was sent off to assessment at Pirbright in November.

At this point my seriously dwindling enthusiasm was revived and off I trotted to Pirbright whereupon I was sent packing (after i had got through 99% of the medical) due to possible food allergy problems. Now I was perhaps a bit too honest in the medical but unfortunately once something has been said you cant un-say it. I was gutted as i was graded as P8 again which is "permanently unfit for service". I seriously thought about forgetting the whole thing as it just seems to be obstacles all the way.

But as others have advised on here in the past, I followed the appeals process, got myself seen to by the people the Army trust, made several hundred phone calls and finally today I heard that I'm good to go back to selection. After almost 8 months and a ton of messing about I'm chuffed and cant wait to get back there!

I guess I just wanted to say that there is actually some hope and if you make the effort to get in contact with the right people and persist you stand a pretty reasonable chance of getting through it all. And although its very easy to get disillusioned with the whole process, if you seriously want in, then follow it till there are no more avenues to take.

Cheers and good luck!

Edited to add- don't be a mong and spend time posting silly questions on here about medical issues, use the time and effort to hassle your GP/doctors/recruitment centre or whoever needs it.

 

[maclad22]

That's great news mate!

Sorry for hijacking your post but I recently received a medical deferral for a dislocated shoulder which I didn't actually dislocate I just thought I had when I went to A&E but the Dr put it down on my records, after further investigation it was found to be ligament damage which has now fully healed and I'm back to doing everything I was before.

The problem I have is due to work commitments and other things happening at home I kind of put my application on the back burner so the 31 days for appeal have elapsed, is it still possible to appeal after this? I am still very keen to get on with my application and get to selection. I have booked an appointment with my GP to have an assessment and hopefully get some form of clearance to provide the Army medical team.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[flamingoose]

Cheers, attended ADSC last week and passed with flying colours too. Got my phase one alpha booked up already and cant wait to get on with it all.

I'd suggest calling the recruitment line and seeing what they have to say. You are doing the right thing by seeking upto date medical evidence from your GP as without a doubt the med team will want it to be current.

I'm sure that the time between me being rejected and actually appealing my rejections would of gone over 31 days due to the amount of time between seeing GP, getting referred to specialist etc so I'm sure there is some hope.

Good luck with it all.

 

[Spence154]

You are similar to myself. I got all the way through ADSC or AC as its now called with an amber pass. I have been referred to the CMO for an exemption which was due to a small kidney stone which would not pass and was removed. The PMH is very long so won't bore you. Up shot being the stone wax present whilst I was a serving reservist but had to come off the active list for three years post back op. I have dropped 2 stone run in under the times required for a 45 year old( I beat quite a few half my age at AC). I am fully fit no symptoms since the op due to work role changes. How does the occupational health appeals process work? Is it fair and effective? Advice welcome please, this has been a long 20 month fight which I am not giving up on. I note the post re silly questions and see GP etc doing that also but would appreciate inside advice. Thanks

 

[theoriginalphantom]

have a look on the massive thread all about medical stuff and joining up. It's so big that it can be seen from space.

 

[no-body]

I heard its bigger than the Great Wall of China!

[No you're still not going to allowed in Messtinpowers]

 

[Spence154]

Cheers Guys. I am trawling through but found this and was enquiring if there was any specific advice that could be gleaned from flamingoose's experience or any with similar experience of reservists challenging medical opinion. Will continue to trawl.

 

[theoriginalphantom]

Just search 'medical' it's hardly rocket science for Odins sake.

 

[Spence154]

Cheers for that constructive pointer as I said still trawling through the "medical" and the jsp950 entries but nothing relevant as yet. Apart from some one else who asked he question last year and is still awaiting some form of reply. But glad I am not applying to be a reservist rocket scientist if that is the case.

 

[flamingoose]

@Spence154 presumably if you have been to selection and been sent away, the doctor that you saw will of told you what you need to do? All I can say is just follow the normal appeals process, get upto date evidence and see how it goes.

The appeals process isn't the quickest in the world and it's worth ringing them regularly to see if there is any movement. At one point some of my medical evidence had been lost but nobody had contacted me to resubmit it!!
I'd say it's definitely fair, they have they're regulations, if you fit them, your in. It's just up to you to do the leg work.

In the meantime use it as extra time to get your fitness up, and stay determined and focused on your goal. If you've already waited 20 months, what's a couple more.

Good luck.

 

[Spence154]

Cheers for that I am like a dog with a bone so won't let it go. Am awaiting the letter from the CMO which should arrive in the next few days and will see what that says and take it from there. But good to know the process is fair and I can evidence no issues since early 2012 so fingers crossed. Meantime keeping the weight off and the running development going. Will update when I have a definitive answer.

 

[theoriginalphantom]

Cheers for that constructive pointer as I said still trawling through the "medical" and the jsp950 entries but nothing relevant as yet. Apart from some one else who asked he question last year and is still awaiting some form of reply. But glad I am not applying to be a reservist rocket scientist if that is the case.

you didn't look in jsp 950 then as there is a little heading "Urolithiasis" now if you didn't know (and with the power of the internet to not know what your medical condition is called is a bit poor even for a non-rocket scientist) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urolithiasis

guess what? it states that as a potential recruit you are P8. however for those in service (a different document you'll not be able to find even with a rocket scientist present)
"

Permanent medical grading of P3 or P7 should be considered for any personnel developing nephro-urological conditions (e.g. nephritis (acute glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis), urinary incontinence, recurrent urolithiasis or malignant disease), which either degrades the functional capacity and/or fails to respond satisfactorily to treatment (whether there is persisting abnormality of urinalysis, blood pressure, and glomerular filtration rate/creatinine clearance rate, or not).

 

[Spence154]

Thank you. Each time I hit the Jsp link I got a different version of the thread. Thank you again for the bit I cannot gain access to as that is what I was looking for hence the kisses. I am being regarded as a re-enlister so the exemption request is based on that point. I will even bow too your whit for your kind help

 

[theoriginalphantom]

I do believe this is the first time I've been sent cyber kisses on a medical thread.


I feel quite ill.

Back on thread though, you may find that re-enlisting has the same medical standards as 'fresh' potential recruits. I have not found any evidence of this either way though (mainly cos I can't be arrsed logging onto a system I should have access to any more and search for it)

 

[Spence154]

No that's fine thanks. The key points are it mentions "persistent" not a singular event. The irony of it was if I had not hurt my back on PDT and required a discectomy I would still be serving stone or not just potentially with a lower PULHEEMS.

Again thanks and apologies for the nausea

 

[Spence154]

Ladies and Gents I have had some form of update and am slightly confused. As such if there is a subject matter expert out there that can assist it would be appreciated. I have spoken with Med admin at NRC who say my papers are at Glencourse and my account is as of 30/4 active. However the records also show 2 days earlier I was rejected. Do they keep the account active until you acknowledge you have been binned? Or is it possible I have had a last minute reprieve? It appears the letter they have sent has been lost in the post and I won't get an update until after the bank holiday and this will be by post as such looking for any knowledgeable indications. Regards and thanks in advance

 

[muso2015]

Ladies and Gents I have had some form of update and am slightly confused. As such if there is a subject matter expert out there that can assist it would be appreciated. I have spoken with Med admin at NRC who say my papers are at Glencourse and my account is as of 30/4 active. However the records also show 2 days earlier I was rejected. Do they keep the account active until you acknowledge you have been binned? Or is it possible I have had a last minute reprieve? It appears the letter they have sent has been lost in the post and I won't get an update until after the bank holiday and this will be by post as such looking for any knowledgeable indications. Regards and thanks in advance

My application got binned accidentally by someone who was a bit overzealous at NRC. It might be that someone has pressed the wrong button, or alternatively, that the CMO has rejected you (though there should be a reason on there). Normally they will ask if you are planning to appeal before they close your application.

 

[xrayyankee]

@flamingoose, and why should a non serving about to become a crow TAVR give me a dislike on the reserve P Company thread ? Perhaps you have done it ? In your dreams ?
Good luck with your selection because with that attitude you will be beasted, please send photos.

 

[flamingoose]

@xrayyankee May I start this post by sending my deepest apologies. I must of accidently "disliked" your post whilst scrolling through the thread. I'd never dream of anonymously having a pop at someone over the Internet by giving they're thread a poor rating. To prove I really mean I'm sorry, I promise to give all your threads positive ratings from now on as I can see how much it really means to you. Peace and love.

 

[no-body]

@xrayyankee May I start this post by sending my deepest apologies. I must of accidently "disliked" your post whilst scrolling through the thread. I'd never dream of anonymously having a pop at someone over the Internet by giving they're thread a poor rating. To prove I really mean I'm sorry, I promise to give all your threads positive ratings from now on as I can see how much it really means to you. Peace and love.

It's ok he's sensitive.............