Can You Join the Military with Raynaud’s?
Joining the military requires you to be physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Why? Because your health is crucial to your well-being and other service members while in the field. That is why the military does not allow recruits with certain medical conditions to join the Army.
So, can you join the military with Raynaud’s? According to the DOD instruction 6130.03 section 5.25 Medical Standards for Military Service, Raynaud’s phenomenon disqualifies you from joining military service. However, according to AR 40-501 in chapter 3-22 (f): you can request a medical waiver if the disease has not manifested by trophic changes of the involved parts like scarred skin or ulceration. And if the sickness is not associated with other connective tissue disorders like CREST or Scleroderma.
Joining the military is a big commitment. It’s not just a commitment of time but a commitment of your body and your health. To be accepted into the military, you must meet specific health and fitness standards. In this post, you’ll learn why you can’t join the military with Raynaud’s, if there are any loopholes, and any other possible scenarios.
What is Raynaud’s? (Two Types)
Raynaud’s disease, or Raynaud’s Phenomenon, is a sickness caused by cold or stress and limits blood supply through the smaller arteries to your fingers, toes, the tip of the nose, and ears. Since blood flow is limited, it causes numbness and color changes in the affected areas of your body.
Raynaud’s phenomenon is usually self-treatable by keeping warm and managing stress unless it indicates an underlying health issue. That is why it is crucial to get a proper diagnosis from your doctor before enlisting in the Army.
There are two types of Raynaud’s disease:
- Primary Raynaud’s – also known as Raynaud’s disease. This type is not linked with any underlying sickness and usually has mild symptoms like numbness and skin color changes. It does not cause skin ulcers or gangrene. It is treatable by making lifestyle changes like staying warm and managing stress levels.
- Secondary Raynaud’s – also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon. This type is more severe and is usually linked with an underlying condition. Symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon include skin ulcers, gangrene, and skin scarring. Treatment includes medication and other procedures depending on the underlying disease.
Why Can’t I Join the Military with Raynaud’s?
The Army requires you to be in excellent physical shape to ensure your safety and that of others on active duty. Unfortunately, Raynaud’s disease can affect your performance, making you a liability when faced with life-threatening situations during service.
Additionally, cold temperatures trigger Raynaud’s. You never know where you will be deployed by the Army or what training conditions will be.
Imagine being assigned to a location with cold temperatures. A typical Raynaud’s attack can last 15 minutes, and in the military, mere seconds can be the difference between life and death.
Raynaud’s is also triggered by stress, and being in the Army can cause emotional and mental stress. Stressful situations can worsen your condition affecting your performance and putting you and your team in danger.
Since the disease affects your fingers and toes, it can be difficult to operate machinery or equipment when needed putting your life and that of others in danger.
Fortunately, Raynaud’s disease is manageable if you know your triggers and manage them. For example, if your attacks often happen because of cold temperatures, dressing warm, adjusting your thermostat, and not touching cold things are great ways to keep the disease at bay while in the Army.
Can I Get a Medical Waiver for Raynaud’s to Join the Army?
The United States Army has the highest enrollment compared to other military branches. One might assume that this makes them less selective when choosing recruits. However, the Army is stringent when screening recruits for medical conditions because it might affect the safety of others.
The Army has a long list of diseases and medical conditions that can disqualify you from enlisting. However, most of the diseases on this list are not permanently disqualifying. Therefore, the Army can still accommodate you, but it depends on the severity of your condition and whether it is manageable.
You can get a medical waiver for Raynaud’s if the condition:
- Is not linked to other underlying conditions (like lupus or scleroderma).
- Has not caused you to have visible digital (fingers or toes) ulcerations or scarred skin.
Depending on the severity, the doctor at MEPS will decide whether to recommend you for a waiver or not.
A military medical waiver permits you to enlist with a disqualifying medical condition. If the doctor does not recommend you for a release, you are automatically disqualified from enlisting in the Army.
However…
If you do qualify for a waiver, you still have a chance of joining though it might take a while before the waiver is approved.
It is important to note that the Army has two types of disqualifications — permanent and temporary.
- Permanent disqualification – applies to permanent medical conditions and those that require surgery. You can still apply for a waiver, but you must take the necessary steps to improve or correct the condition.
- Temporary disqualification – applies to short-term conditions like broken arms and others that can be cured quickly using the right treatment. Temporary will only cause a delay in admission to the Army and not a permanent disqualification.
- Raynaud’s is a chronic condition that can last for years, meaning it requires ongoing medical attention. Fortunately, primary Raynaud’s is not considered dangerous or contagious, and it can be manageable even when you are in the Army.
What if I Get Raynaud’s After Joining the Army?
Raynaud’s disease is not easy to diagnose, and sometimes, its symptoms can be similar to a Non-Freezing Cold Injury (NFCI). If you are already enlisted in the Army and suspect you have Raynaud’s disease, you should inform the doctor about your symptoms.
After informing the doctor, you undergo a medical evaluation and get treatment for the disease. Remember, Raynaud’s is grounds for disqualification in the military, and you can get medically discharged if you have the disease.
Neglecting to mention your symptoms to a doctor might lead to developing other severe issues like tissue damage, trench foot, and skin ulcers. These injuries might get infected, and you might need urgent medical care, which is not always possible, especially when you are on active field duty.
It might be possible that you already had the disease, but it was made worse after joining the Army. That is why it is crucial as a recruit to undergo a medical screening and disclose all your medical history.
If there is evidence that the condition was made worse during your military service, it might help you claim disability after being discharged.
Can I Enlist Again After Being Disqualified for Raynaud’s?
You cannot enlist again after a permanent medical disqualification unless you have a medical waiver.
Remember, you must get a waiver recommendation from a doctor at MEPS. You cannot apply for a waiver without a recommendation.
Additionally, you cannot appeal a doctor’s decision after failing to give you a recommendation.
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Tony
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For The Corps
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