Originally Posted by
FullWings
It does seem somewhat unusual for only one defect per airframe to be allowable, as this would increase the likelihood of an AOG situation considerably. .....
Could the original question actually perhaps relate to CDL not MEL? While MEL does indeed typically put specific "interoperability" crietria against each item, showing which may be combined specifically, CDL may well have a more simple "no more than one large or three minor allowed" overall statement? Just a guess.