Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: I was discharged from the Marine Corps during bootcamp because the doctors diagnosed me with a torn ACL. I believed it was torn when i was discharged, because i really didn't know anything about that type of injury. Since i have been home i have done research into a torn ACL, and from what i have read on-line i don't think my ACL is torn i think the doctors at boot-camp misdiagnosed me based off the fact that i dont have any of the symptoms that come with a torn ACL. It has a list of exercises that i would not be able to with a torn ACL and i can do all of them just fine. Also the doctors never did an mri to actually see if it was torn they just felt me knee and said it was torn.

To get to the point i really want to be a Marine and i have been in school and would like to try to go to the platoon leaders course next summer, but i am not sure if i am eligible to re-enlist with a medical discharge. So i know that i would need a waiver to re-enlist, but would i still need a waiver if the doctors misdiagnosed me? I guess the biggest question of all is can i go to ocs with a medical discharge? My re-code is re-3p.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Aaron,
You're correct, the doctors should've had an MRI done but a lot of doctors think they're experienced enough that they can guess on their own and save the military some money.

An MRI is expensive, but if for nothing other than your peace of mind, you should go to an orthopedic surgeon and ask him to examine you and schedule you for an MRI.  (Hopefully your medical insurance will cover most of it.)  You wouldn't be the first person to ever be misdiagnosed by a military doctor.  On the whole, they're very good but sometimes a Family Practice doc thinks he knows it all (to the physicians reading this who don't like my opinion, tough!)  I asked for an MRI or anything on my back for 25 years and nobody would give me one until I was shot in the back and HAD to have one.  Then they had the nerve to ask me why I hadn't had one sooner!

The trouble you're going to run into is your RE code.  RE-3P means exactly, " Physical disability.  Disqualified for Officer Candidate training."  However, most RE-3 codes can apply for a waiver.

If you have a copy of an MRI results and your suspicions were correct, talk to a USMC recruiter and tell him exactly what you told me.  He'll be able to help you process a waiver, or tell you what to do next.

I wish you the best of luck,
Colonel H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: When i was discharged I received a package of all the medical documents about the injury and a six month coverage card to the V.A hospital. When i got home i called the V.A to find out what i needed to do to get an appointment for an MRI, but they informed me that i didn't have any coverage and it didn't matter what the Marine Corps told me i had. Have you ever heard of that happening, or is that new to you?

Also i would like to add that i had to lose 110 pounds to get into boot-camp, i was only 10 days away from doing the crucible and being a Marine, and i was in position to be company honor man. So you can imagine my frustration with this whole situation.

Answer
Aaron,
My god!  If you lost 110 pounds would you mind sharing your secret with me?  I can only imagine how frustrating and disappointing that must have been.

I know usually the VA will want you to see one of their doctors first to let him schedule a diagnostic test like an MRI but I've never heard of what you're saying they did.

You can also look on-line at:
http://www.dav.org/veterans/NSOffices.aspx

The Disabled American Veterans organization can help you get what you need, that's what they're there for.  As to speak to a "Service Officer".
Good luck,
Colonel H