Manual of the Medical Department (NAVMED P-117): Chapter 15: Medical Examinations: Physical Defects and Waivers

15-73 Relative Significance of Physical Defects

Department of the Navy
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

(1) Waiver Not Required. When the examiner, after evaluating a defect not specifically addressed in this chapter, considers it to be of little present or future significance and not to be disqualifying, the examiner need only record and describe the defect on the report of medical examination, then annotate the defect NCD.

(2) Waiver Required. When a defect is considered to be disqualifying per the standards, but is of such nature as not to preclude the performance of duty, a waiver may be requested.

(3) Waiver Not Appropriate. A waiver is not considered appropriate when a defect might constitute a menace or jeopardize health, general welfare, or safety or is of such a nature that the individual could not reasonably fulfill the purpose of employment in the naval service.