History of contusion of bone or joint
History of contusion of bone or joint if: (1) The injury is of more than a minor nature with or without fracture, nerve injury, open wound, crush, or dislocation which occurred within the previous 6 months; (2) Recovery has not been sufficiently completed or rehabilitation has not been sufficiently resolved; (3) The injury may reasonably be expected to interfere with or prevent performance of military duty; or (4) The contusion requires frequent or prolonged treatment.
What This Code Means
Receiving DQ code D227.01 means the DoDMERB physician reviewer determined that your medical history or exam findings related to history of contusion of bone or joint do not currently meet Department of Defense accession standards as defined in DoDI 6130.03.
This does not end your candidacy. Many conditions flagged under this code are waiverable. The next step is understanding the exact standard that applies to your situation and whether a waiver request is appropriate for your commissioning source.
Official Regulation Text
From DoDI 6130.03-V1, “Medical Standards for Military Service,” Change 6 (February 3, 2026)
“History of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis: (1) Current spondylolysis with symptoms within the last 12 months. (2) Current spondylolisthesis of any grade.”
“History of vertebral fractures: (1) Current compression fracture, or history of compression fracture within the last 12 months, or with residual deformity. (2) History of burst fracture. (3) History of fracture-dislocation. (4) History of any other vertebral fracture within the last 12 months or with complications.”
“History of any of the following back conditions within the last 24 months: (1) Recurrent back pain, defined as 2 or more episodes of back pain within the last 24 months. (2) Back pain severe enough to require medical attention. (3) Back pain resulting in more than 1 day of lost work or school. (4) Back pain requiring prescription medication. (5) Back pain requiring physical therapy or chiropractic treatment. (6) Back pain associated with objective neurological findings (e.g., diminished reflexes, motor weakness, or sensory loss). (7) Back pain requiring the use of a brace, corset, or other orthotic device.”
“History of surgery for herniated disc, including, but not limited to, laminectomy, discectomy, or any type of spinal fusion, within the last 12 months, or with complications, residual symptoms, or objective neurological findings.”
“History of lumbar disc pathology (e.g., herniation, bulge, protrusion, extrusion) with associated symptoms within the last 24 months, or with objective neurological findings.”
Waiver Outlook for Musculoskeletal Conditions
Key Factors for Waiver Approval
- Documentation of full rehabilitation, strength, and agility
- No recurrent dislocations or chronic pain
- Full range of motion confirmed by orthopedic evaluation
- Active participation in competitive sports post-recovery
For scoliosis cases, the key threshold is the Cobb angle measurement. Having your own imaging and specialist evaluation ready — rather than relying solely on DoDMERB's assessment — can strengthen your case.
This condition is covered in depth in The Ultimate DoDMERB Handbook by LTC Kirkland & Capt Dach — including real success scenarios, remedial exam strategies, and the complete waiver playbook. Get the handbook →
Read Our Full Guide on Musculoskeletal Conditions
Learn how DoDMERB evaluates musculoskeletal conditions, common waiver scenarios, documentation tips, and what to expect throughout the process.
Read the musculoskeletal guide