Expert: John L - 12/4/2008

Question
Question:
The question is, before I go into the details, if I see a doctor regarding a condition that could possibly warrant a medical discharge, could the nature of the discharge be affected if I inform the doctor that I had been suspected of having the condition before coming back into the military and chose not to disclose it?

Background info:
After spending 6 years in the Navy, I got out and moved to China as a civilian.  During the few years I spent there, I began experiencing symptoms of and was diagnosed via a colonoscopy in a Chinese hospital as having ulcerative colitis, an intestinal condition, though my symptoms were relatively mild in their seriousness.

Upon returning to the states I decided to go into the Army National Guard.  I knew the condition was potentially disqualifying, but thought I could keep it under control myself.  I have now been in for about 6 months and have been through WTC, but have not yet gone through AIT.  Through a very strict diet, I pretty much had my symptoms in check for the past couple years.  Since mid WTC up until now, several months afterwards, my symptoms have returned and worsened significantly, I suspect at least partially the result of no longer having as much control over my diet (MRE's as opposed to the things that I choose which I know don't cause me any problems).

There is very little chance of a doctor here in the U.S. coming across any of my records from China, but for the sake of a proper diagnosis, I am trying to decide whether I should tell the doctor about my previous diagnosis and/or previous symptoms, or if it would be safer to describe only the symptoms that have presented themselves since WTC.

Answer
You can disclose it to your civilian Dr and ask for it to be not part of your record that goes to the military review board.  Your Dr can say it was diagnosed from him, though he probably won't. he will want to do a colonoscopy to see for himself, (though I don't think it sounds like fun)

While I know why you hid it, this is why some conditions should never be hid, becasue they rear their ugly head sooner or later.

Nothing bad will happen to you if you admit you hid it, you will get a fraudulent enlistment at worst, which will have no bearing on your future.