I haven't looked up your particular DQ, but sometimes there is simply a requirement for something to be x amount of time in the past.
If you look at the DODMERB documentation, there is section explaining what DODMERB (and the SAs) are really concerned about for medical issues. You said you've already submitted the surgical notes and the letter clearing you for unrestricted activity. In my daughter's case, we asked the specialist to write a letter on her behalf addressing the points from the DODMERB documentation below that could have possibly applied based on her DQ.
“4c. Ensure that individuals under consideration for appointment, enlistment, or induction into the Military Services are:
(1) Free of contagious diseases that probably will endanger the health of other personnel.
(2) Free of medical conditions or physical defects that may require excessive time lost from duty for necessary treatment or hospitalization or probably will result in separation from the Service for medical unfitness.
(3) Medically capable of satisfactorily completing required training.
(4) Medically adaptable to the military environment without the necessity of geographical area limitations.
(5) Medically capable of performing duties without aggravation of existing physical defects or medical conditions.”
and also
17. Generalized waiver criteria – The main focus of all waiver decisions is centered on the ability to safely and successfully train, be commissioned, and be world-wide deployable upon graduation/commission. In applying this objective, a few of the questions that are considered are:
a) Is the condition progressive?
b) Is the condition subject to aggravation by military service?
c) Will the condition preclude satisfactory completion of prescribed training and subsequent military duty?
d) Will the condition constitute an undue hazard to you or to others you will be charged in leading, particularly under combat conditions?
