0811 Field Artillery Cannoneer

The 0811 Field Artillery Cannoneer operates and maintains howitzers (M777, M198) and associated fire direction equipment. Duties include loading, aiming, and firing artillery rounds in direct and indirect fire missions. Exposure to extreme concussive blasts from muzzle overpressure, heavy lifting of 95-100lb projectiles, sustained high-decibel noise, and burn pit smoke during deployed operations.

OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

-Lifting and carrying 95-100lb artillery rounds repeatedly during fire missions

-Extreme concussive blast exposure from howitzer muzzle overpressure (170+ dB)

-Sustained high-decibel noise without consistent hearing protection during fire missions

-Heavy equipment maintenance in field conditions — towing, positioning, digging in gun pits

-Sleep deprivation during sustained fire support operations (24-72 hour fire missions)

-Burn pit and propellant fume exposure at forward operating bases

-Vibration from vehicle operations (7-ton trucks, LVS) on rough terrain

SERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITIONS (8 MAPPED)

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TYPICAL RATING CONSTELLATION

An 0811 with combat deployment commonly has: tinnitus (10%), hearing loss (0-10%), lumbar spine (20%), PTSD (50%), TBI (10-40%), shoulder (10-20%), bilateral knee (10% each). Combined rating: 70-90% before bilateral factor.

KEY CLAIM TIP

Artillery cannoneers have the highest noise exposure of any MOS. Your tinnitus and hearing loss claims are nearly automatic with a consistent lay statement. The key secondary angle is TBI from repeated blast overpressure — emerging VA policy recognizes subconcussive brain injury from own-weapon fire.

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