Application rejected after medical exam

[Jean-Pierre67]

Hi Everyone

Glad to joined this forum. I have a concern please. I applied for the Canadian Forces Reserve as an armour officer. I passed the CFAT then I made the medical test. The optometrist suspected a early Glaucoma so he mentioned it in the application formula. Then the Canadian forces doctors asked me to see an ophtamologist for further investigations and he also confirmed a ealy glaucoma and put me on drops and also mentioned it in the formula. He said he did not thing that this will cost me a problem are my vision is not alterated by this early glaucoma.

Unfortunately, I received a letter last week from the Canadian forces informing me that my application was rejected due to this early Glaucoma. Do you have any similar experiences please? Do you you think I could appeal for the decision and if I could succeed? Will it change anything if I chose other branch than Armour? Like logistical or something like that?

I feel so bad since I got this letter….Joining the Canadian forces is my biggest dream. I am 49 years old and I arrived in Canada from France 6 years ago. Thanks a lot.

 

[sarahsmom]

Medical standards are the same not matter what trade or branch. While some trades can accept glasses, or lesser colour vision, the enrolment standards regarding medical conditions are the same. This glaucoma probably doesn't or won't cause any issues for the average civilian, but military life comes with extra challenges such as, in your case -storing the drops (at the appropriate temp), access to the drops (should the prescription run out or get damaged), progression of your condition, access to medical care while deployed, etc.

If you choose to appeal, you and your specialist) must demonstrate that the condition is not as serious as previously thought, or the progression is not likely, or prove that the meds are not needed. You don't lose anything by appealing.

 

[Jean-Pierre67]

Medical standards are the same not matter what trade or branch. While some trades can accept glasses, or lesser colour vision, the enrolment standards regarding medical conditions are the same. This glaucoma probably doesn't or won't cause any issues for the average civilian, but military life comes with extra challenges such as, in your case -storing the drops (at the appropriate temp), access to the drops (should the prescription run out or get damaged), progression of your condition, access to medical care while deployed, etc.

If you choose to appeal, you and your specialist) must demonstrate that the condition is not as serious as previously thought, or the progression is not likely, or prove that the meds are not needed. You don't lose anything by appealing.

Thanks a lot for your replying and for all the details. You really give me some hope as I was so deseperated....When I will receive the letter and I read in another post in the forum that it takes 3 to 4 months to receive it :-( I will lauhch the appeal.
Also, I do remember that when the ophtalmologist told me that he would put me on drops, he clearly added that if he doesn't do that, I will have problems in 10 to 15 years. That means that without medication, problems will probably start in arround 10 years. Maybe I could has him to elaborate more about this and try to convince Canadian army doctors that my drops are not indispensables....

 

[GR66]

Thanks a lot for your replying and for all the details. You really give me some hope as I was so deseperated....When I will receive the letter and I read in another post in the forum that it takes 3 to 4 months to receive it :-( I will lauhch the appeal.
Also, I do remember that when the ophtalmologist told me that he would put me on drops, he clearly added that if he doesn't do that, I will have problems in 10 to 15 years. That means that without medication, problems will probably start in arround 10 years. Maybe I could has him to elaborate more about this and try to convince Canadian army doctors that my drops are not indispensables....

I'm not qualified to comment on anything enlistment or medical related, but on a strictly personal level I'd remind you that you have only one pair of eyes. Risking them by not taking medically recommended drops in order to get a job is not something I personally would consider or recommend.

 

[Jean-Pierre67]

I'm not qualified to comment on anything enlistment or medical related, but on a strictly personal level I'd remind you that you have only one pair of eyes. Risking them by not taking medically recommended drops in order to get a job is not something I personally would consider or recommend.

No worries, I will never stop using the drops unless the ophtalmologist told me I could. I said that I could ask my ophtalmologist to explain to the canadian army doctors that my drops are not indispensables and of course if it's not the case he will not accept and we will have to find another arguments.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Thanks a lot for your replying and for all the details. You really give me some hope as I was so deseperated....When I will receive the letter and I read in another post in the forum that it takes 3 to 4 months to receive it :-( I will lauhch the appeal.
Also, I do remember that when the ophtalmologist told me that he would put me on drops, he clearly added that if he doesn't do that, I will have problems in 10 to 15 years. That means that without medication, problems will probably start in arround 10 years. Maybe I could has him to elaborate more about this and try to convince Canadian army doctors that my drops are not indispensables....

I think that you didn't really grasp @sarahsmom's meaning. It's not about whether you can do without the drops. It's already a given that they are medically essential if you have any hope of delaying as long as possible the effects of glaucoma. The "army doctors" already know this. They don't work on a principle of accepting the denial of necessary medical treatment if it permits someone to serve; the opposite is true, they base their assessment on whether your medical condition could be accommodated while you are receiving the standard medical treatment for your condition. Even if one was incredibly stupid and refused to follow medical advice because they believed that they could be enrolled since they weren't taking a medication, they'd still be SOL; the RMO's decision would be based on what is the diagnosis, the prognosis and required treatment, the wishes and actions of the individual don't enter into it. And they also don't work in isolation; even though they are licensed physicians they don't depend solely on their own training and experience. In cases where they may have questions about particular cases, there are consultants (specialists) who are available to provide expert opinions.

 

[Jean-Pierre67]

I think that you didn't really grasp @sarahsmom's meaning. It's not about whether you can do without the drops. It's already a given that they are medically essential if you have any hope of delaying as long as possible the effects of glaucoma. The "army doctors" already know this. They don't work on a principle of accepting the denial of necessary medical treatment if it permits someone to serve; the opposite is true, they base their assessment on whether your medical condition could be accommodated while you are receiving the standard medical treatment for your condition. Even if one was incredibly stupid and refused to follow medical advice because they believed that they could be enrolled since they weren't taking a medication, they'd still be SOL; the RMO's decision would be based on what is the diagnosis, the prognosis and required treatment, the wishes and actions of the individual don't enter into it. And they also don't work in isolation; even though they are licensed physicians they don't depend solely on their own training and experience. In cases where they may have questions about particular cases, there are consultants (specialists) who are available to provide expert opinions.

Thank you for the details.

 

[FormerHorseGuard]

I am colour blind, so I went thru some of this stuff. The Medical Officer is not looking at the condition for today or this week, or next week or next month or next year. They are looking at your condition could progress in 1 to 10 years or longer. You could be deployed in that time period and have medication issue or shortage and then you become a problem soldier, how do they treat you, how do they get you out of the area of operation and how do they replace you.

You become a non effect soldier if you have to be taken out of action medically.

Eye conditions or pre existing medical issues are a concern because that affects the combat operational of an unit and you would not be a good fit, not sure how or what grounds you would appeal this on. But good luck in your future

 

[Jean-Pierre67]

I guess I am just unlucky....My last eye exam was in september 2021, the optometrist did not detected any sign of glaucoma so I guess I was ok at this time.
So basically my eye presure start rising after september 2021 and I have now early glaucoma . That means that if I had applied in september 2021, I woul habe been accepted....Of course I would have still get this glaucoma but I suppose canadian army don't check each army reserve soldiers health vision each year. So I would have use discretly my drops and beeing in the army...And I guess this is the case for some soldiers right now....So yeah, I am just unlucky! should definatly have applyed in 2021

 

[Jean-Pierre67]

I am colour blind, so I went thru some of this stuff. The Medical Officer is not looking at the condition for today or this week, or next week or next month or next year. They are looking at your condition could progress in 1 to 10 years or longer. You could be deployed in that time period and have medication issue or shortage and then you become a problem soldier, how do they treat you, how do they get you out of the area of operation and how do they replace you.

You become a non effect soldier if you have to be taken out of action medically.

Eye conditions or pre existing medical issues are a concern because that affects the combat operational of an unit and you would not be a good fit, not sure how or what grounds you would appeal this on. But good luck in your future

But what do you think about trying to see a specialist of glaucoma for a second opinion? Unfortunatly, if he confirms the diagnostic, I will then wisely abandon my dream. But if somehow a miracle happens and that he believes that I don't have glaucoma I could inform the RMO....What do you think about it please?

 

[sarahsmom]

I guess I am just unlucky....My last eye exam was in september 2021, the optometrist did not detected any sign of glaucoma so I guess I was ok at this time.
So basically my eye presure start rising after september 2021 and I have now early glaucoma . That means that if I had applied in september 2021, I woul habe been accepted....Of course I would have still get this glaucoma but I suppose canadian army don't check each army reserve soldiers health vision each year. So I would have use discretly my drops and beeing in the army...And I guess this is the case for some soldiers right now....So yeah, I am just unlucky! should definatly have applyed in 2021

But had your condition developed while serving, you would have seen an eye doctor (we go every 2 years, btw) and the report from the eye doctor would have been sent to the CDU and the military doctor, and the use of eye drops for your condition would have been known. You cannot hide it. No one wants to work with ineffective soldiers on deployment. It’s an admin nightmare and it hurts morale for the rest of the people that deployed with you.

 

[Blackadder1916]

But had your condition developed while serving, you would have seen an eye doctor (we go every 2 years, btw) and the report from the eye doctor would have been sent to the CDU and the military doctor, and the use of eye drops for your condition would have been known. You cannot hide it. No one wants to work with ineffective soldiers on deployment. It’s an admin nightmare and it hurts morale for the rest of the people that deployed with you.

Except that @Jean-Pierre67 was suggesting that as a "reservist" his visits to his civilian physician would not be made known to the CAF and he could have continued along his merry way keeping that secret. Quite possibly doable for someone (who if they did such), I would label a conniving, lying , dishonourable piece of shit who should never be allowed to serve in the CAF, especially as an officer.

 

[Jean-Pierre67]

Except that @Jean-Pierre67 was suggesting that as a "reservist" his visits to his civilian physician would not be made known to the CAF and he could have continued along his merry way keeping that secret. Quite possibly doable for someone (who if they did such), I would label a conniving, lying , dishonourable piece of shit who should never be allowed to serve in the CAF, especially as an officer.

What I said is that could have been a possibility and that maybe some soldiers are in this case and continue to serve discretly. That's the point, not that I will do something like. Please note that I wrote my posts in franch and translate them with google and I do the same with all your answeres. so maybe the traduction is not acurate at 100% and don t transalate exactly my toughts. My bad for that

 

[sarahsmom]

What I said is that could have been a possibility and that maybe some soldiers are in this case and continue to serve discretly. That's the point, not that I will do something like. Please note that I wrote my posts in franch and translate them with google and I do the same with all your answeres. so maybe the traduction is not acurate at 100% and don t transalate exactly my toughts. My bad for that

But if you imply you would keep something from the CAF, as in omit important info especially about your health, that makes you an untrustworthy person, like @Blackadder1916 suggested. Don’t try and hide behind Google translate, claiming we misunderstand. You still thought about doing it.

 

[Jean-Pierre67]

But if you imply you would keep something from the CAF, as in omit important info especially about your health, that makes you an untrustworthy person, like @Blackadder1916 suggested. Don’t try and hide behind Google translate, claiming we misunderstand. You still thought about doing it.

yes accordind to the translation what i said is wrong as it like i was suggesting i will do something like which is not the case.

 

[sarahsmom]

maybe some soldiers are in this case and continue to serve discretly.

If soldiers are found to be doing this, there are strict consequences that could lead to dismissal from the forces. You cannot hide medical conditions from your work. This isn't like civilian life where work and health are disconnected. This environment is one where not being green (healthy and free from disabilities) can lead to being released from your job.

 

[Jean-Pierre67]

If soldiers are found to be doing this, there are strict consequences that could lead to dismissal from the forces. You cannot hide medical conditions from your work. This isn't like civilian life where work and health are disconnected. This environment is one where not being green (healthy and free from disabilities) can lead to being released from your job.

Yes I totally agree with you. Thank you for the comprension Sarahsmom.

 

[Jean-Pierre67]

Hi Everyone. After long reflexion, I decided to not appeal for the decision. So I am giving up. Thanks to all of your comments.