Military waiver evaluations assess whether a person who would otherwise be disqualified from joining or continuing to serve in the military can receive a waiver to enlist or stay in service. A military psychological waiver (or military waiver for mental health) is commonly requested for mental health disqualifications when someone has had a psychological issue or received mental health treatment in the past. Sometimes, as part of the waiver process, the military asks that a person get an outside psychological evaluation, and that is where we can help.
The following provides a detailed breakdown of military waiver evaluations, but please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation about your specific situation.
Military Waiver Evaluations Overview
A military waiver for mental health is the most common type. It is requested when a person has a mental health condition that may disqualify them from military service under normal circumstances.
Common Disqualifying Mental Health Conditions or Situations
- A history of mental health medication
- A current diagnosis of ADHD
- A reported history of depression or anxiety
- Prior statements of self-harm
- Prior psychologically-based difficulty in training
- A history of mental health treatment
Military Psychological Waiver Process:
If the military suggests a psychological examination as part of the military psychological waiver process, here is the general process we follow:
- Documentation Submission: You send us any documentation you have about why you were initially refused enlistment.
- Mental Health Examination: We will meet with you to evaluate the condition, assess its severity, and determine whether it might interfere with military duties.
- Risk Assessment: The condition is evaluated in the context of military life. For example, can you handle the physical demands, long hours, and stressful service situations?
- Psychological Testing: A core part of our military waiver evaluations is an empirical test that provides objective evidence of your performance. The prior two steps involve some subjective decisions, so the testing is done to bring empirical objectivity.
- Letter: If we feel you qualify, we write a letter based on whether the condition continues to exist, how manageable it is, whether it can be controlled (e.g., with medication), and if it poses a risk to your or anyone’s safety.
It is important to note that we cannot write a letter unless we are confident you are fit for clearance. Also, we have no control over the military’s ultimate decision. We have found that they are comprehensive but fair.
External Steps in the Process:
Our role is only one part of the military waiver for mental health process. Here is the whole process:
- Identification of Disqualification:
- During enlistment, recruiters identify any disqualifications (mental health, medical, moral, or administrative) that might prevent you from serving. Please note that you are much better off fully disclosing any mental health difficulties since the process often uncovers things anyway, and being forthcoming is much better than being found to be untrustworthy.
- Waiver Request Submission:
- The recruiter gathers all necessary documentation, including our evaluation, other medical records, and the results of your initial interview. Sometimes, they submit the request to the appropriate office, and sometimes, they tell you to gather additional information before they do so (in which case you can skip to step #4).
- Evaluation by Authorities:
- Relevant authorities review the request, which could include medical professionals for medical waivers or legal boards for moral ones.
- Additional Tests or Interviews:
- In some cases, before or after the military waiver for mental health is officially submitted, you may be asked to undergo additional medical examinations or participate in interviews to provide further context or clarification. For mental health, they may tell you to get an independent psychological evaluation, which we can provide.
- Approval or Denial:
- Once the evaluation is complete, the waiver is either granted or denied. If denied, you are disqualified from service unless you can appeal the decision or resolve the disqualifying issue. This is another place where our services can be helpful.
Factors That Influence Military Waiver Approval:
- Severity of the Condition: The military assesses how the disqualifying issue impacts the applicant’s ability to perform their duties.
- Military Needs: Waivers are sometimes more likely to be granted during times of increased demand for personnel or when the individual has specialized needed skills.
- Time Since the Condition: For a military psychological waiver, the time since the symptoms occurred and whether you have demonstrated consistent rehabilitation are considered.
- Applicant’s Overall Qualifications: Applicants with strong qualifications in other areas (e.g., high ASVAB scores, physical fitness, work in a specific field) may have a better chance of obtaining a military psychological waiver.
Military Psychological Waiver Possible Outcomes:
- Approved: You can proceed with enlistment or service. You may need to meet additional conditions, such as periodic evaluations.
- Denied: If denied, you cannot join or continue serving. However, you may appeal or reapply if you can resolve the disqualifying issue. Sometimes, they designate a specific time after which you can reapply if symptoms or challenges have not recurred, and again, this is where we can help.
- Conditional: You may receive a military psychological waiver with specific conditions, such as being limited to certain roles or requiring ongoing monitoring.
Military Waiver for Mental Health Conditions
A military psychological waiver is a specific type of medical waiver that addresses mental health conditions that would normally disqualify you from enlisting or continuing to serve. A military waiver for mental health is often necessary when an applicant has a history of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or other behavioral health disorders.
Conditions That May Require a Military Waiver for Mental Health:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Issue: Individuals diagnosed with ADHD may be disqualified if they require medication or have had symptoms that interfere with functioning, especially if the condition persists into adulthood. We can do an ADHD assessment to determine the severity of any current symptoms.
- Depression:
- Issue: A history of major depressive disorder, especially if treated with medication, particularly if you had recurrent or severe episodes within a specific timeframe (often five years) may require a military mental health waiver. Again, we can use standardized psychological testing for depression to determine the severity of any current symptoms.
- Anxiety Disorders:
- Issue: Conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder may disqualify you, especially if you’ve been on medication or received therapy within a recent period. We also provide anxiety testing for the current severity and nature or symptoms.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
- Issue: PTSD is particularly sensitive within military settings, given the high-stress nature of service. A military waiver for mental health is required for individuals with a history of PTSD, even if they no longer show symptoms. We can provide information about whether the symptoms persist through testing.
- Bipolar Disorder:
- Issue: Bipolar disorder, which involves episodes of mania and depression, typically results in automatic disqualification. However, some waivers may be considered on a case-by-case basis. This difficulty is best assessed by an ongoing therapist rather than through psychological testing.
- Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders:
- Issue: Given their severity and potential impact on military functioning, these disorders generally result in disqualification without a military waiver for mental health. We do not do these evaluations.
- Suicidal Ideation or Attempts:
- Issue: Any history of suicidal thoughts, ideation, or attempts usually necessitates a military psychological waiver, particularly if the event occurred within a specified timeframe, often the past five to seven years. Our mental health testing covers this area.
Military Psychological Waiver Evaluation Process Tips
- Documentation Submission:
- Medical Records: Provide us with comprehensive mental health records, including psychiatric evaluations, therapy notes, medication history, and hospital records (if applicable). The more we know, the better we can tailor your battery of fitness-for-duty psychological tests.
- Letters from Providers: Often, the military will request a letter from your mental health provider (psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or therapist) attesting to their current mental health status, treatment history, and stability. These letters are helpful for us to see as well.
- Time Since Last Episode:
- Many psychological conditions are evaluated based on how long it has been since you last experienced symptoms or required treatment. For example, you might need to be symptom-free and off medication for a set period (e.g., two years for ADHD or depression) before being considered for a waiver. Keep close track of these timelines, as they can be quite helpful as we design your battery of tests and interview.
- Risk and Functional Assessment:
- Impact on Military Duties: The military carefully considers whether the condition will affect your ability to handle stress, deploy, and perform duties in potentially high-stakes situations. Consider this when deciding which branch of the military you want to join and what role(s) you are interested in.
- Stability: Assessing your stability is important—whether you manage your mental health successfully without medication or therapy that might not be available during deployment.
- Supporting Documentation:
- References: Letters of reference from employers, school counselors, or community leaders may help demonstrate your current emotional and psychological fitness.
- Symptom History: You must provide detailed information about your condition’s onset, severity, and treatment. If symptoms have been resolved, we can confirm this in writing.
Conditions Less Likely to Receive a Military Waiver for Mental Health:
- Recent Mental Health Episodes: Applicants who have experienced a recent mental health crisis, such as hospitalization, suicide attempts, or severe depressive episodes, are less likely to receive a military psychological waiver.
- Severe Psychiatric Disorders: Conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or a history of psychosis are typically automatic disqualifiers with limited chances for military psychological waiver approval.
- Dependency on Medication: Applicants who rely on psychiatric medications that might not be accessible in a combat or deployment environment (e.g., anti-anxiety medication) may have a more challenging time obtaining a military mental health waiver. However, it is important that you do not discontinue your medication without the clear advice of your prescriber.
Conclusion and Our Work 
A military psychological waiver is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and they consider your history and current mental health status. Stability and recovery play a crucial role in whether a waiver is granted, and conditions considered too risky may lead to denial. However, with proper documentation and a history of stability, we have seen many individuals with past mental health issues receive waivers and serve successfully after our evaluation.
The military is fair yet thorough and strict in their assessments. They often appreciate the unbiased and empirical information we can provide. For this reason, we cannot guarantee the result of your evaluation, and we sometimes decline to do an assessment if we do not feel it will help.
Please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation about your situation. We always provide a free screening to determine if an assessment may be helpful in the military waiver process.
