As far as I know, there are no active flight docs who comment here anymore. All aviators or the prior recruiters.
————
You should be fine. I agree that the guide’s section on this reads in a confusing manner as it lists in order the surgical and chemical recovery timelines.
My read is that a single instance of spontaneous pneumothorax recovered without interventions is waiverable. If you needed interventions nature then you follow the surgical or chemical waiver timelines.
I understand your concern with the line:
“A subsequent occurrence of spontaneous pneumothorax is CD. No waiver will be recommended unless surgical or chemical pleurodesis has been performed”
But this reads to me as “if you healed up from a one and done, you’re fine. IF you’ve had a repeat then a waiver is only eligible if chem/surg intervention is completed”
Typically with NAMI clearances, if there’s no repeats, it’s an easy clearance.
You’re also considered an applicant.
————
I do not know anyone personally who’s had a pneumothorax, so this is just based on my exp/read of the guide.