Bad vision mistakenly overlooked for SNA applicant?

[Northstar]

Prior to being pro-rec'd for SNA at the past July boards, I gave my OR my most recent ophthalmologist exam results to ensure that I met the vision standards for SNA. I wear contact lenses (prescription is somewhere around -2.50 in both eyes), so I was doubtful that I fell within the limits for SNA vision requirements. It turns out that I was wrong -- the Navy medical people looked at my ophthalmologist results that my OR had forwarded them, and they claimed that I fell within the limits. Shortly thereafter, I also went to Meps and did not get DQ'd for anything vision related (I still never heard what my actual uncorrected visual acuity was, but I do know that I am corrected to 20/20 with my contacts).

At present, I have yet to be PQ'd because I had to do some more tests (EKG and echocardiogram) for high blood pressure at Meps, but those were the only issues attributing to my medical DQ. Nothing vision related was mentioned on my N3M letter. Anyways, I am convinced that my uncorrected visual acuity is definitely not within the 20/40 limit -- with a prescription somewhere around -2.50, I am guessing that I have around 20/200 uncorrected. I called my recruiter to tell him this, but he is certain that the Navy medical people have scrutinized my ophthalmologist records and Meps results enough to determine that I am qualified for SNA. Nonetheless, he agreed to recheck on this for me, so I am awaiting his phone call back, which may take several days.

I realize that Meps vision test administrators and equipment are not always reliable and accurate, but is it possible for an SNA applicant with disqualifying vision to somehow "fall through the cracks" and NOT get DQ'd for vision? Or, were the Navy medical people and Meps under the impression that I was applying for NFO and not SNA? Anyone else had a similar experience to mine?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

MEPS has NOTHING to do with a person being qualified or not qualified for anything, they give an exam and N3M makes the final determination, MEPS could care less if you were color blind, no depth perception and 20/400 vision, as long as you meet the basic military entrance requirements they will say you are qualified for ENLISTMENT, N3M determines if you person is qualified for COMMISSION.

If you letter came back from N3M saying PQ for aviation then I would have concern, however your stuff hasn't been to N3M since you say there are still issues to clear up.

Be advised I had a guy with high BP, had to have the same test and some other hoops, it took months to get him cleared.

 

[Northstar]

I realize that Meps has nothing to do with determining qualification. However, my Meps results are then forwarded to N3M, correct? Wouldn't my N3M letter specifically note ALL of the items that I am DQ'd for, and not just high BP? So you're saying after I resolve my high BP issue and get it cleared with N3M, then they will give me the verdict on my vision?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Did MEPS say you need a consult for high BP?

In most cases no MEPS results are forwarded unless all test are done that MEPS has requested, now there are other options.

Your info wasn't finished and someone just sent it to N3M, in that case N3M normally just returns it without any determination until everyting is done that MEPS wants.

Your info was finished from what MEPS wants and it was sent to N3M, then N3M looks at it and wants additional info, in that case they may have made no comment on anything except what they want, then when all the info is rec'd that they want they will make a decision.

 

[Northstar]

Meps has not instructed me to do anything. The N3M letter that I got (via my OR) told me to get the high BP consult.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

OK, in that case they odds are they won't make any call, does the letter say something to the effect of "further information needed"

 

[Northstar]

OK, in that case they odds are they won't make any call

What do you mean by this?

does the letter say something to the effect of "further information needed"

No. It just requests the cardiology evaluation (EKG & echo) as a result of my high BP. Nothing else...

 

[exNavyOffRec]

They won't comment on what you are qualified for until all the data is rec'd.

the EKG is further info, they would be concerned about the effects of high BP, how high was the BP and did MEPS take manual readings?

 

[Northstar]

I am not sure how high my BP was, but I believe it was just outside the 140/90 range. This came as a surprise to me since my blood pressure has always been within optimal limits. I have health records from the past 5 years that show a total of 7 different blood pressure readings all below 140/90. I don't recall if Meps took manual readings, but I know for sure that 2 out of 3 readings were done with a machine. I'm wishing that they would have done all of my readings manually now, since whenever I get my readings done on those automated machines at pharmacies, my BP jumps all over the place within minutes...it will be 150/100 for one reading, then a minute later its 120/80, and then back up again the next reading.

Anyways, thanks for the information regarding my vision situation.

 

[feddoc]

I doubt the BP readings will prove detrimental. Were there any other health related issues prior to this higher reading....dehydration, out booming the night before, good sleep, nerves?

BTW, NOR is exposing a side to the MEPS/NAMI process I never knew existed. Good gouge indeed.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

The first guy I had with high BP rec'd had to go through all types of stuff that could have been averted if I had been more experienced, anytime I had a person that had BP just outside the limits I would have them see their own doc, get readings twice a day with manual BP, I would send that in with the MEPS physical and there would be no issues, felt bad for that first guy, I would feel worse if he hadn't actually made it in, eventually.

 

[Northstar]

I doubt the BP readings will prove detrimental. Were there any other health related issues prior to this higher reading....dehydration, out booming the night before, good sleep, nerves?

BTW, NOR is exposing a side to the MEPS/NAMI process I never knew existed. Good gouge indeed.

I am not concerned about the BP whatsoever. Unfortunately, I'm doing an internship in Canada right now though. So imagine trying to find a physician/clinic that will do something as simple as take your blood pressure a few times a day. Not easy AT ALL with this universal health care system. Even a private clinic charges upwards of $150 to open a new patient file, in addition to $40 a visit...for taking your damn blood pressure. I will be back in the U.S. in a week though, so I have lined up multiple appointments at my local clinic to get my blood pressure taken.

I had no other health related issues prior to my readings at MEPS. In fact, I have medical records from the past 4 years that show 7 different blood pressure readings, all well within normal range. On the other hand, I did "binge" on the complimentary breakfast at the hotel the morning I went to MEPS. Perhaps that was a big mistake (too much sodium?), I don't know. My readings on the BP machines at pharmacies have also been around 115/75-125/80 lately.