EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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INFANTRY
11B Infantryman
U.S. Army
Equivalent: 0311 (USMC Rifleman), 0331 (USMC Machine Gunner)
The 11B Infantryman is the backbone of the Army's combat arms. Duties include patrolling, operating in dismounted and mounted formations, direct engagement with enemy forces, and conducting operations in all terrain and weather conditions. Deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan exposed 11Bs to blast concussive events, small arms fire, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), burn pits, extreme temperatures, and sustained physical demands including carrying 60-120 lbs of gear over rough terrain.
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
-Carrying 60-120 lbs of combat load (weapon, body armor, ammunition, pack) over extended distances
-Repetitive dismounted patrols (10-20+ miles) in full kit
-Exposure to blast overpressure from IEDs, RPGs, mortars, and controlled detonations
-High-decibel noise from weapons fire, explosions, and vehicle operations without consistent hearing protection
-Repeated jumping from vehicles, walls, and elevated positions with heavy load
-Sleeping on hard ground or in vehicles in contorted positions
-Burn pit smoke exposure at FOBs and COPs (PACT Act presumptive)
-Extreme heat (Iraq/Kuwait 120F+) and cold exposure (Afghanistan mountain operations)
SERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITIONS (12 MAPPED)
PTSDDC 9411
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
Combat exposure is a qualifying stressor under 38 C.F.R. 3.304(f)(2). Combat infantry veterans do not need to prove a specific stressor event -- the VA concedes combat stressors for veterans with a CIB, CAB, or equivalent. Common comorbidities: depression, anxiety, substance use disorder.
38 C.F.R. 3.304(f)(2); 38 U.S.C. 1154(b)
TinnitusDC 6260
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%
Weapons fire (M4, M249, M240B, AT4, grenades), explosions, and vehicle noise without consistent hearing protection. Maximum schedular rating is 10%. The veteran's lay statement of constant ringing is competent evidence.
38 C.F.R. 4.87, DC 6260
Hearing Loss (Bilateral)DC 6100
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%
Same noise exposure as tinnitus. Rating based on puretone audiometric testing and speech discrimination scores per 38 C.F.R. 4.85 Table VI/VIA. Often rated 0% but service-connected -- which opens the door for secondary conditions and future increase.
38 C.F.R. 4.85-4.86, DC 6100
Lumbar Spine (DDD/Strain)DC 5237-5243
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%, 40%
Carrying heavy combat loads, repeated heavy lifting, jumping with load, sleeping on hard ground, vehicular vibration from MRAPs/HMMWVs. Degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain are the most common musculoskeletal claims for infantry. ROM-based rating under General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5237-5243
Cervical SpineDC 5237-5243
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Weight of Kevlar helmet and NVGs (3-5 lbs on head/neck for extended periods), head-down posture under load, blast exposure, and vehicular jarring. Often develops secondary to or concurrently with lumbar spine conditions.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5237-5243
Knee Condition (Bilateral)DC 5003/5256-5263
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Running, patrolling, and jumping with 60-120 lbs of load destroys knee cartilage. Both knees typically affected -- bilateral factor applies (38 C.F.R. 4.26). Instability (DC 5257) can be rated separately from limitation of motion (DC 5260/5261).
38 C.F.R. 4.71a; VAOPGCPREC 23-97 (separate ratings for instability and ROM)
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury)DC 8045
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 40%, 70%
IED blasts, mortar/rocket attacks, vehicle rollovers. Many TBIs went undiagnosed in theater. Even 'mild' TBI from blast exposure can produce lasting cognitive, emotional, and physical residuals. Rated on 10 facets of TBI.
38 C.F.R. 4.124a, DC 8045
Ankle Condition (Bilateral)DC 5270-5274
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Repeated dismounted patrols on uneven terrain with heavy load. Ankle sprains, chronic instability, and limited dorsiflexion. Often bilateral -- bilateral factor applies.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5270-5274
Shoulder ConditionDC 5200-5203
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Carrying weapon at the ready, overhead lifting of equipment and ammunition, rucksack shoulder straps under heavy load. Rotator cuff injuries common. Dominant arm rated higher.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5200-5203
Sleep ApneaDC 6847
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 0%, 30%, 50%
Secondary to PTSD (published studies link PTSD to sleep-disordered breathing), or secondary to weight gain from psychotropic medications. CPAP use = 50% rating. Note: VA has proposed rating criteria changes for 2026.
38 C.F.R. 4.97, DC 6847
Burn Pit / Toxic Exposure (PACT Act)DC Various (6600-6699 respiratory)
HIGH (if deployed post-9/11)
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%, 30%, 60%, 100%
PACT Act (Public Law 117-168) created presumptive service connection for toxic exposure conditions for veterans who served in Southwest Asia, Africa, or other covered locations. Includes respiratory conditions, cancers, and other toxic exposure-related conditions. No nexus letter needed for presumptive conditions.
Public Law 117-168 (PACT Act); M21-1, IV.ii.1.D.6
Radiculopathy (Bilateral Lower)DC 8520
HIGH (secondary to lumbar spine)
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%, 40%
Nerve root compression from disc pathology. Separately ratable for each leg. VA's C&P DBQ for spine includes radiculopathy screening. Strong secondary to lumbar spine conditions.
38 C.F.R. 4.124a, DC 8520; 38 C.F.R. 3.310
TYPICAL RATING CONSTELLATION
An 11B with combat deployment to Afghanistan/Iraq commonly has: PTSD (50-70%), lumbar spine (20%), bilateral knee (10% each), tinnitus (10%), hearing loss (0-10%), cervical spine (10-20%), bilateral radiculopathy (10% each), and possibly TBI and sleep apnea. Combined rating: 80-100% before bilateral factor.
KEY CLAIM TIP
Combat veterans with a CIB or CAB do not need to prove individual stressor events for PTSD. Under 38 U.S.C. 1154(b), the VA must accept that combat-consistent events occurred. Focus your claim on current severity and functional impact, not re-proving what happened.
RELATED MOS
11C12B19D03110331
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
CLAIM RECON 2026