What are a med boards protocol for asthma ?

Question

Anyone know what the standards are for med boards regarding asthma in the military ? This is a recent diagnosis.

I know the methacholine challenge is important, I had to stop halfway through because my breathing dropped 23 points or percents or something like that. Also, my asthma isn't controlled I am using my rescue inhaler often and the steroid inhaler I take everyday isn't doing anything.

I know some people who are in with asthma (From no attacks after turning 13 and 1 who was up on med board but deemed fit). What I want to know specifically is what the doc's use to figure out if it's fit or unfit.

I understand the med board process so we don't have to go there. I am just curious if there is a standard or a cut off point.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm a Navy Corpsman and I, myself was recently diagnosed with asthma.  I still deploy to austere environments with the Marine Corps.  As far as what they deem fit, all depends on what category of asthma you have.  If it's allergy, cold weather, or stress induced then you can easily get a waiver and stay in.  However if it is exercise induced it may be a bit harder, all depends on how much physical effort you can exhaust before you are induced.  I failed the methacholine challenge as well, but they didn't require me to even get a waiver.