Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the rapid buildup of skin cells, resulting in thick, scaly patches that can be itchy, painful, or inflamed. The presence of this condition raises a significant question for many applicants: Does a history of psoriasis automatically prevent entry into the United States Military? While Department of Defense (DoD) medical standards list psoriasis as a typically disqualifying condition, service is possible under specific, limited circumstances. Eligibility depends almost entirely on the severity of the disease and the type of treatment required to manage it.
Core Eligibility Standards for Psoriasis
The official medical accession standards for the U.S. Military categorize a history of psoriasis as a medically disqualifying condition for initial entry into service. This standard exists because the demanding nature of military duty and austere deployment environments can exacerbate chronic skin disorders. The primary concern is that the condition could interfere with duty performance or necessitate time lost for medical care.
Disqualification is generally automatic if the condition requires systemic treatment, such as oral medications or injectable biologics. These advanced treatments often require consistent monitoring or specialized storage, which is not feasible in all operational settings. Similarly, any form of psoriasis that has progressed to psoriatic arthritis, a related inflammatory joint condition, results in an automatic, non-waiverable disqualification.
Even mild cases relying only on topical treatments may still be disqualifying if the lesions interfere with military equipment. Psoriasis on the hands, feet, or groin, or any extensive area irritated by wearing a uniform, boots, or a helmet, does not meet physical standards. To be considered eligible, the condition must be minimal, completely stable, and controlled solely by simple topical ointments without systemic medication or phototherapy.
Navigating the Medical Waiver Process
If an applicant is disqualified by the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) doctor due to psoriasis, they may be eligible to apply for a medical waiver, which is an exception to the standard policy. The waiver process begins after the MEPS physician issues a permanent disqualification (PDQ) recommendation to the specific branch of service the applicant is seeking to join. Each military branch holds the authority to review and grant waivers based on its current manning needs and risk tolerance.
The applicant must provide extensive medical documentation, including a complete history of the condition, severity reports, and a detailed record of all treatments used. Often, the service branch requires documentation proving the psoriasis has been completely quiescent or managed without systemic therapies for a specific duration, commonly one to two years. The service branch’s Surgeon General office reviews this comprehensive medical package to determine if the applicant is a suitable risk for military service.
The decision to grant a waiver is made on a strictly case-by-case basis and is never guaranteed. A successful waiver application demonstrates that the psoriasis will not flare up under stress and will not require specialized medication or frequent medical intervention. The primary purpose of the waiver review is to ensure the individual’s health and guarantee their ability to be deployable and mission-ready.
Psoriasis and Active Duty Service
For service members who successfully join the military with mild psoriasis, the condition remains a factor throughout their career, particularly regarding deployment. The development of a flare-up or increased severity while on active duty can lead to a temporary or permanent medical profile. This profile imposes duty limitations, restricting the service member’s ability to perform certain physically demanding tasks or deploy to challenging environments.
Systemic treatments for psoriasis, such as biologics requiring refrigeration or frequent laboratory monitoring, are typically restricted in deployed settings. Medical policy limits the use of such complex treatments in austere locations where cold storage or specialist care is unavailable. If a service member’s psoriasis progresses to require restricted medication or significantly impairs duty performance, they may face a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB).
The MEB process assesses whether the medical condition meets retention standards, which are often different from initial entry standards, but remain stringent. If the board determines the psoriasis makes the service member unfit for continued duty, even if the condition was stable upon entry, it can lead to a medical separation. The goal is to maintain a force capable of worldwide deployment without undue medical risk.