Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 11/13/2010

Question
Doc Howell,
I am a Reservist that was just disenrolled from the US Army Warrant Officer Candidate School for Ulcerative Proctitis (remission maintained by 2xLialda Tab/day). USAREC would not approve a waiver thus I was sent back to Indiana, however two of my classmates had Crohns. They have indicated a 3 under P in my PULHES.
I have two questions and would ask for you to email me as well as post here:
1st. Am I facing a Medical Review Board / Med Eval Board with Physical Eval board for retention?
2nd. Is it possible that I could be denied the Chapter Two waiver but retained enlisted under Chapter 3?
The WOCC made it sound like all I had to do was obtain a waiver and I could return to Rucker for the course. However, my MOS requires no more than a 2 in PULHES. It appears to me that I am going to have to fight to be retained and a Warrant career may be now out of reach.
Any medical advice is appreciated in this matter.

Jerad

Answer
Jerad,
I'm sorry you have to have the pain and discomfort of Ulcerative Proctitis (UP#.  I can't imagine you'd face a MEB just because of UP.  Mostly because many people experience long remissions, even without medication.  UP may sometimes mysteriously resolve itself #"burn out") after a long history of symptoms.

I can't imagine you would be denied a Chapter Two waiver.  That's mostly for people who have contagious diseases and/or are incapable of performing their duties.  One - you are not contagious and two - you obviously are capable of performing your duties or you wouldn't have made it this far.

Having said that, strange thing have happened at MEBs.  Sometimes I wonder if they really are physicians.

I'd like to say you shouldn't have any problem, but I'm not in charge there.  You may indeed have to fight for a waiver to remain in your MOS, but that should be your only fight.

I wish you well and thanks for your service.
Colonel H