DoDMERB Spine Rules: Back Pain, Scoliosis, and Spondy

DoDMERB spine standards trigger more scoliosis questions than almost any other topic, and this video walks through the entire spine section with retired Army physician and former DoDMERB official Dr. Arthur Cajigal and LTC Rob Kirkland. You will learn how the back pain standard works, including the 24 month window and the treatments that make a history disqualifying. Dr. Cajigal explains disc pathology and chronic pain, the scoliosis thresholds of a 30 degree thoracic or lumbar Cobb angle and a 50 degree kyphosis, and why a curve can be disqualifying even when the applicant feels fine and plays sports. He covers the Risser stage and skeletal maturity, why a current scoliosis survey helps your case, and how the spondy conditions, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, are judged on slippage and history. He closes with the lumbar disc rules and the exact records families should gather before a remedial letter arrives. If your family needs help navigating a DoDMERB disqualification or waiver, contact us about DoDMERB Consulting: https://dodmerbqualified.com/start 00:00 Spine Conditions Overview 00:38 Orthopedic Overview 01:55 Deployability Standards Explained 02:15 Spine Issues Introduced 02:40 24 Month Disqualifiers 03:42 Back Pain Questionnaire 04:21 Facet Joints and Stability 04:33 Intervertebral Discs 101 04:41 Disc Damage and Chronic Pain 05:10 Waiver Deep Dive Process 05:39 Scoliosis Disqual Standards 06:08 Other Spine DQ Conditions 07:18 When Surgery Is Considered 07:54 DoDMERB Scoliosis Survey 08:21 Ortho Notes and Risser Sign 10:25 Spondylolysis and Slippage 14:28 Disc Herniation Standards 15:25 Records Imaging and Proof 16:44 Wrap Up Spine and Injuries