Can you join the military if you have bunions?

To serve in the military, service members are required to comfortably wear government-issued footwear, which can be difficult or unobtainable if the person has a deformity in a foot. One such condition is called hallux valgus, which is more commonly known as a bunion.

Does foot surgery disqualify you from the military?

Foot and Ankle Injuries Most debilitating foot or ankle injuries will be disqualifying. Candidates and recruits must not have any current injuries, even if the injury is minor and can heal in a short period of time.

What kind of surgeries disqualify you from the military?

(1) Dystrophy, corneal, of any type, including keratoconus of any degree. (2) Keratorefractive surgery, history of lamellar and/or penetrating keratoplasty. Laser surgery or appliance utilized to reconfigure the cornea also is disqualifying.

Can you join the military if you had surgery?

A surgery is a permanent condition because it cannot be undone. A surgery doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot serve, it just means MEPS cannot process your 2807-2 without additional information. There are other reasons for a PQD, and each situation will be unique.

Is a bunion a disability?

Service Connection for Hallux Valgus (Bunions) Generally, to establish direct service connection you must have a current, diagnosed disability; however, you can sometimes argue that broader symptoms resulting in impairment also warrant service connection even if there is no actual diagnosis.

Are bunions a VA disability?

The veteran’s bunion of the right great toe with bunionectomy is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5280. A 10 percent disability rating is the highest rating assignable under the rating criteria for unilateral hallux valgus. See 38 C.F.R.

Why can’t flat feet serve in military?

Most flexible flat feet are asymptomatic, and do not cause pain. In these cases, there is usually no cause for concern. Flat feet were formerly a physical-health reason for service-rejection in many militaries.

Can you join the military with hallux valgus?

In some cases, the military accepts a person with a minor case of hallux valgus. The servicemember might have calluses or flatfeet, but no foot pain or major deformity. During the servicemember’s time in the service, the activities cause the affliction to worsen.

What medical conditions will the military not accept?

Disqualifying Medical Conditions

• Abdominal Organs and Gastrointestinal System.
• Blood and BloodForming Tissue Diseases.
• Body Build Deficiency.
• Advanced Dental Diseases.
• Ears and Hearing Loss.
• Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders.
• Loss of Function in Upper Extremities.
• Loss of Function in Lower Extremities.

What medical conditions exclude you from the military?

Here are eight surprising medical conditions that might prevent you from serving in the U.S. Armed Forces:

• Food Allergies. If you have a history of food allergies, you might be disqualified from joining the military.
• Celiac Disease.
• Contact dermatitis.
• Asthma.
• Braces or dental ailments.
• Motion sickness.
• Acne.
• Too tall.

What diseases disqualify you from the military?

What is the VA rating for bunions?

Generally speaking, VA rates bunions according to 38 CFR § 4.71a, Schedule of Ratings – Musculoskeletal System, Diagnostic Code 5280. The rating criteria are as follows: 10% – operated with resection of metatarsal head. 10% – severe, if equivalent to amputation of great toe.

How much is VA disability for bunions?

Can you wear orthotics in the military?

Only your doctor can determine how long you need to wear your orthotics. If they’re designed specifically as military footwear, it’s a good idea to wear them anytime you’re on duty for optimum protection against injury or pain.

How do I get a medical waiver for the army?

You cannot enlist with a permanent medical disqualification without an approved waiver. The first step in a military medical waiver process is receiving a recommendation from a doctor at MEPS. If the doctor recommends you for a waiver then you still have a shot at receiving approval.

Is a bunion considered a disability?

The veteran’s bunion of the right great toe with bunionectomy is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5280. A 10 percent disability rating is the highest rating assignable under the rating criteria for unilateral hallux valgus.

How hard is it to get a medical waiver for the military?

Nobody can tell you what your chances of waiver approval are, as you consider joining the military. Depending on your issue, it could be an easy process, like LASIK or PRK Laser Eye Surgery, or a difficult and long process for serious knee or shoulder surgeries.

Can you get into the military with a broken bone?

Bone Fractures If you’ve had a fracture and it healed without surgery, your chances of getting into the military are good. What could be disqualifying are situations where the fracture caused some kind of permanent damage.

What could disqualify you from the military for a fracture?

What could be disqualifying are situations where the fracture caused some kind of permanent damage. Examples: Current retained hardware that is symptomatic and interferes with proper wearing of protective equipment or military uniform, and/or is subject to easy trauma

Can you serve in the military with osteoarthritis?

In addition, any current or history of chronic osteoarthritis or traumatic arthritis of isolated joints of more than a minimal degree that has interfered with the following of a physically active vocation in civilian life, or that prevents the satisfactory performance of military duty is disqualifying.

What does bone fracture mean in the military?

Bone Fractures. Current or history of contusion of bone or joint; an injury of more than a minor nature that will interfere or prevent performance of military duty, or will require frequent or prolonged treatment without fracture nerve injury, open wound, crush or dislocation, which occurred within the preceding six weeks (upper extremity,…