EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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AVIATION
15G Aircraft Structural Repairer
U.S. Army
Equivalent: 2A6X1 (USAF Aerospace Propulsion), 6092 (USMC Aircraft Maintenance)
The 15G Aircraft Structural Repairer inspects, repairs, and maintains the airframes, structural components, and surfaces of Army rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. Work involves operating in confined spaces inside aircraft fuselages, exposure to industrial chemicals (solvents, sealants, primers, paints, hydraulic fluids, chromium compounds), high-decibel noise from flight lines and maintenance operations, and sustained physical demands including overhead work, heavy lifting, and repetitive manual tasks.
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
-Overhead work inside aircraft fuselages for extended periods (shoulder, neck, back strain)
-Exposure to chemical solvents, primers, sealants (MEK, acetone, chromate compounds)
-Flight line noise exposure (turbine engines, APUs, ground power units) at 90-140 dB
-Confined space work inside airframes (respiratory hazard, awkward positions)
-Heavy lifting of aircraft components, structural panels, tooling
-Repetitive hand/wrist motions (riveting, drilling, sanding, painting)
-Prolonged standing on concrete hangar floors
-Vibration exposure from pneumatic tools (riveting guns, drills, sanders)
SERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITIONS (9 MAPPED)
Hearing Loss (Bilateral)DC 6100
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%, 20%
Sustained exposure to flight line operations at 90-140 dB. Turbine engines, APUs, maintenance tools. DD Form 2216 (hearing conservation program) documents audiometric shifts during service.
38 C.F.R. 4.85, DC 6100
TinnitusDC 6260
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%
Same noise exposure as hearing loss. Flight line noise is continuous and cumulative over years of service. Veteran's lay statement is competent evidence.
38 C.F.R. 4.87, DC 6260
Shoulder Condition (Bilateral)DC 5200-5203
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%, 30%
Overhead work inside aircraft for extended periods causes rotator cuff strain, impingement, and tears. Both shoulders typically affected due to bilateral overhead work demands. Bilateral factor applies.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5200-5203
Cervical SpineDC 5237-5243
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Looking up and working overhead inside fuselages causes cervical strain and disc degeneration. Helmet use on flight line adds weight to already-stressed neck.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
Respiratory Condition / SinusitisDC 6510-6524
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%, 30%
Chemical exposure to solvents (MEK, acetone), chromate primers, sealants, and confined-space vapors. Even with respiratory protection, chronic exposure causes upper and lower airway disease. PACT Act may apply for certain toxic exposure.
38 C.F.R. 4.97
Carpal Tunnel SyndromeDC 8515
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 30%
Repetitive hand motions: riveting, drilling, sanding, painting. Vibration from pneumatic tools compounds nerve compression. Often bilateral -- bilateral factor applies.
38 C.F.R. 4.124a, DC 8515
Lumbar SpineDC 5237-5243
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Heavy lifting of aircraft components, working in awkward positions inside airframes, prolonged standing on concrete hangar floors.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
Contact Dermatitis / Skin ConditionDC 7806
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%, 30%
Skin contact with chemicals, solvents, sealants, and hydraulic fluid. Chronic dermatitis from occupational exposure. Document with treatment records showing skin complaints during service.
38 C.F.R. 4.118, DC 7806
Knee ConditionDC 5003/5256-5263
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Kneeling inside aircraft fuselages, climbing aircraft, prolonged standing. Particularly common for 15Gs who also deployed and carried combat loads.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
TYPICAL RATING CONSTELLATION
A 15G with 6+ years service commonly has: bilateral hearing loss (10%), tinnitus (10%), bilateral shoulder (10-20% each), cervical spine (10-20%), respiratory/sinusitis (10-30%), carpal tunnel (10% each hand), lumbar spine (10%). Combined: 60-80% before bilateral factor.
KEY CLAIM TIP
15G chemical exposure claims are strengthened by documenting specific chemicals used (check your unit SDS/MSDS sheets). The Army Hearing Conservation Program (DD Form 2216) provides objective audiometric evidence. If you have pre- and post-service audiograms showing threshold shifts, your hearing loss claim is very strong.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
CLAIM RECON 2026