Chances of bipolar misdiagnosis waiver approval ?
To make this as short as possible, I just got back from MEPS for the navy. I am 28 now, and 10 yyears ago, due to a bad home life, low confidence and general teenaged stressors, I suffered from general anxiety, and ideation. I did have two brief 3 day stays in inpatient at that time. For the next couple years, I often was taken to doctors, and encouraged to take medication by those around me- I never agreed with any diagnoses I was given and never felt any medication helped whatever I was experiencing at 15.
10 years later I am an able, capable, healthy 28 year old woman. I work full time, live independently and have not been on any medications in over a year or experienced that level of distress in over 10 years. I am eager to join the Navy and to be on a stable, healthy disciplined path. I scored an 80 on the ASVAB, and passed every physical exam with flying colors. In the dr.office at MEPS I was not interrogated on any issues in my file, asked any questions pertaining to mental health; etc was passed onto the final boss. I was told I needed an N33 waiver, and after approval would be scheduled to remote oath enlist.
After speaking with my recruiter, I was told that 4 codes came up;still under one waiver- OCD, depression, anxiety and Bipolar. He has told me to gather a letter from the dr that diagnosed bipolar as a “misdiagnosis”, 2 years of prescription history, and a written statement.
I am confused at the moment where I stand and nervous. I need this very badly and know I can excel. The bipolar diagnosis was 100% a misdiagnosis, and I am having problems figuring out or locating whichever specific doctor had listed that over the past 10 years. I would look into where I was hospitalized in youth, but I never listed hospitalization, and was never questioned about hospitalization, so I’m weary to bring this to their attention if they are not aware of that specifically. I have gathered my medication history, and have been off all meds since 6/26/24. I guess I am just nervous. How likely is it that waivers like these are approved? My recruiter and MEPS personnel said my waiver should be approved in 1-3 days and did not seem concerned- I have not formally been asked for further documentation yet either but my recruiter is trying to prepare me I suppose. Any advice ?
Posted Oct 3, 2025, 5:19 PM UTC