What diseases disqualify you from the military?

Asked by: Dr. Chris Swaniawski I  |  Last update: March 15, 2026
Score: 5/5 (33 votes)

Diseases that can disqualify you from the military include chronic conditions like severe asthma (after age 13), diabetes, heart/vascular issues, epilepsy, certain psychiatric disorders (psychosis, bipolar, severe depression/anxiety needing meds), eating disorders, HIV/AIDS, and major musculoskeletal problems, but waivers are often possible depending on the specific condition, severity, and recent treatment history. Conditions like active cancer, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, and organ transplants are typically disqualifying, while some temporary issues or well-managed conditions might get a waiver.

What conditions permanently disqualify you from the military?

Certain medical conditions — such as asthma, diabetes, severe allergies, certain types of mental health disorders and heart problems — can disqualify individuals from joining the military due to the physical and mental demands of service.

What STDs can disqualify you from the military?

For sti it states: “current or history of genital infection or ulceration, including, but not limited to herpes genitalis or condyloma acuminatum, if of sufficient severity to require frequent intervention or to interfere with normal function, is disqualifying.” also disqualifying is current untreated syphilis.

What disorders can you not have in the military?

Psychiatric and Personality Disorders

  • Any disorder or history of disorders with psychotic features.
  • History of impulse control and conduct disorders.
  • History of depression requiring medication, outpatient treatment or hospitalization.
  • History of anxiety requiring medication, outpatient treatment or hospitalization.

What disqualifies someone from entering the military?

All interested individuals must clear a criminal background check and have no felony convictions. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony as an adult or juvenile for offenses involving violence, domestic violence, illegal drugs or sexual misconduct will be disqualified.

What Medical Conditions Disqualify You From Military Service? - The Frontline Guardians

22 related questions found

Who cannot join the US military?

US military disqualifications cover various areas, including serious medical conditions (like current epilepsy, uncontrolled asthma, diabetes, or history of certain psychiatric disorders), criminal records (felonies, drug offenses), substance abuse, certain tattoos/body modifications, and low/high BMI, though waivers are often possible for many issues, requiring honest disclosure to a recruiter. 

What are the 5 military discharges?

The main types of U.S. military discharges, from best to worst, are Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable, with Uncharacterized (like Entry-Level Separation) sometimes listed separately as not reflecting on conduct; these characters of service determine eligibility for veteran benefits, with Honorable being the best and Dishonorable being the most severe. 

Who cannot be drafted?

Exemptions from the U.S. draft (Selective Service) generally include females, men on active military duty, those in service academies, certain non-immigrant visa holders, and men with severe, continuous physical or mental disabilities, though registration requirements vary, with categories like medical professionals or sole surviving sons having specific rules or deferments available. Deferments for factors like dependency (fathers, sole supporters) or religious conscientious objection have existed historically but are subject to change by Congress, with current exemptions focusing on non-service and severe inability.
 

What are the 10 most disabling mental illnesses?

While "debilitating" varies, top contenders for most impairing mental illnesses often include Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Personality Disorders (like Borderline), Anxiety Disorders (OCD, PTSD), Eating Disorders, and Substance Use Disorders, with mood disorders often ranking highest for overall functional disability and mental illnesses collectively being a leading cause of global disability.
 

Does anxiety disqualify you from the military?

Current or a history of anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, simple phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, acute reactions to stress, and posttraumatic disorder are disqualifying conditions.

Does chlamydia stay on your medical record?

STDs Stay On Medical Records

When you get tested for STDs at a doctor's office and use insurance, the results are reported to your insurance company. The insurance company then has those results placed on your medical record. Some insurances will even raise your insurance rates if you test positive for STDs.

Can you have HPV in the military?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for more health care visits among active duty service members than gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) combined.

What disabilities are not allowed in the military?

Disabilities that can disqualify you from the military include many physical conditions (severe asthma, vision problems, hearing loss, orthopedic issues, certain organ conditions, HIV/AIDS) and mental health disorders (psychosis, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety/PTSD, personality disorders, ADHD requiring medication), as well as issues interfering with uniform/equipment wear, but many are "waivable," meaning a special permission can sometimes be granted after review, with requirements varying by branch and condition.
 

What is 3 clicks in military terms?

In military terms, "3 clicks" (often spelled "klicks") means 3 kilometers, a unit of distance used for brevity and standardization, equating to roughly 1.86 miles (3 kilometers x 0.62 miles/km). It's a phonetic shortening of "kilometer," widely used in radio communication for speed, originating from interactions with metric-using forces and NATO standardization. 

What will make you fail MEPS?

MEPS disqualifications (Military Entrance Processing Stations) prevent enlistment due to issues like medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, mental health disorders, certain injuries), substance abuse, criminal history (felonies, drug offenses), failure to meet height/weight, or legal issues like pending charges, but many are waivable with recruiter guidance and official waivers. Honesty with recruiters is crucial, as undisclosed issues can lead to fraudulent enlistment, but proper disclosure allows recruiters to assess if a waiver is possible, say sources from GoArmy.com and Military.com. 

What illness automatically qualifies for disability?

Conditions that Qualify for Disability Benefits

  • Physical Conditions – Examples include amputations, heart conditions, chronic lung disease, and severe burns.
  • Sensory Issues – Examples include severe hearing loss and blindness.

What is the hardest disorder to live with?

Here, listed in alphabetical order, are five disorders that can be particularly difficult to live with:

  1. Anorexia nervosa. ...
  2. Bipolar disorder. ...
  3. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) ...
  4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) ...
  5. Schizophrenia & schizoaffective disorder.

What is the blood test for mental health?

MindX Blood Tests, which uses gene expression profiling by RNA sequencing of genes collected from whole blood to assess, predict or manage mood disorders, stress disorders, suicidality, longevity/mortality, and pain associated with depression or substance use history: MindX - Longevity.

Who gets drafted first?

In a U.S. military draft, the first people drafted are typically young men turning 20 during the calendar year the draft occurs, based on a lottery system drawing birth dates, with those turning 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 called next, then younger groups if needed; however, medical professionals (doctors, nurses) might be prioritized even earlier if there's a specialized draft.
 

Can you decline your draft pick?

No, a player can't truly "refuse" to be drafted (a team gets their rights), but they can refuse to sign the contract after being drafted, effectively forcing a trade or sitting out a year to re-enter the draft, as seen with Eli Manning (forced trade) and Bo Jackson (held out and went pro in baseball). This gives players leverage but carries risks like losing a year of development and potential earnings, with the drafted team holding their rights until a trade or re-entry. 

Can you refuse to go to war in the US?

Yes, you can refuse to go to war in the U.S., primarily through conscientious objector (CO) status, which allows for alternative service if you have deep moral/religious objections, or by challenging the legality of orders if already in the military; however, refusing a draft without CO status or refusing legal orders leads to prosecution, as seen with Muhammad Ali, while the U.S. currently relies on an all-volunteer force. 

What's the worst discharge in the military?

Dishonorable discharge (DD)

A dishonorable discharge, colloquially referred to as a "duck dinner", is the most serious type of discharge in the US military.

Can you look up military discharges?

You can request a copy of the Veteran's military records from the National Archives online, by mail, or by fax. You can also request their military records in any of these ways: Visit the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in person. Contact your state or county Veterans agency.

What disqualifies you from VA benefits?

You are generally disqualified from VA benefits with a dishonorable discharge, willful misconduct causing your disability, or if your active duty was for training only; however, "other than honorable" (OTH) or bad conduct discharges (BCD) can be reviewed for exceptions, and some benefits may be available even with criminal convictions, though felony incarceration reduces payments. Insufficient medical evidence or failure to attend exams are common reasons for claim denials, not disqualification from the VA system itself.