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MP
MILITARY POLICE CORPS

31B Military Police

U.S. Army
Equivalent: 5811 (USMC Military Police), 3P0X1 (USAF Security Forces)
The 31B Military Police performs law enforcement, security, and combat operations. During OIF/OEF, MPs conducted route security, convoy escort, detainee operations, checkpoint security, and combat patrols. MPs face a unique combination of combat stress, law enforcement psychological burden, and physical demands from prolonged patrol operations in body armor. Detainee operations at facilities like Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca created additional psychological trauma for MPs.
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
-Prolonged standing at checkpoints and entry control points (8-12 hour shifts) in full body armor
-Foot and vehicle patrols in combat zones with 60+ lbs of gear
-Detainee handling: physical restraint, transport, and management of combative individuals
-Weapons qualification and training with sustained noise exposure
-Vehicle operations for convoy escort and route security missions
-Use of force situations requiring physical confrontation
-Extended duty shifts (12-16 hours) creating fatigue and sleep disruption
-Burn pit and environmental exposure throughout deployment
SERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITIONS (9 MAPPED)
PTSDDC 9411
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
MPs experience unique dual-source PTSD: combat stressors (patrol, checkpoint, IED) AND law enforcement stressors (use of force, detainee operations, witnessing violence). Detainee operations create moral injury. CAB concedes combat stressor.
38 C.F.R. 3.304(f); 38 U.S.C. 1154(b)
Lumbar SpineDC 5237-5243
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%, 40%
Wearing 40+ lbs body armor and duty belt for entire 12-16 hour shifts. Foot patrols with combat load. Vehicle operations.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
Knee Condition (Bilateral)DC 5003/5256-5263
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Prolonged standing at checkpoints. Foot patrols. Kneeling/crouching during security operations. Both knees affected.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
TinnitusDC 6260
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%
Weapons qualification, convoy operations, IED exposure, siren exposure from emergency response.
38 C.F.R. 4.87, DC 6260
Hearing LossDC 6100
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%
Weapons fire, vehicle noise, siren exposure. Less than combat arms but still significant.
38 C.F.R. 4.85, DC 6100
Sleep ApneaDC 6847
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 0%, 30%, 50%
Secondary to PTSD. Shift work disrupts circadian rhythm. Weight gain from deployment lifestyle and PTSD medications.
38 C.F.R. 4.97, DC 6847
Ankle ConditionDC 5270-5274
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Prolonged standing, foot patrols on uneven terrain, pursuit/use of force incidents.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
Cervical SpineDC 5237-5243
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Helmet/NVG weight during patrols and operations. Vehicle operations. Head-on-swivel scanning at checkpoints.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
Depression / AnxietyDC 9434/9413
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 30%, 50%
Law enforcement moral injury, detainee operations, hypervigilance, and difficulty transitioning from combat policing to civilian life.
38 C.F.R. 4.130
TYPICAL RATING CONSTELLATION
A deployed 31B commonly has: PTSD (50-70%), lumbar spine (20%), bilateral knee (10% each), tinnitus (10%), hearing loss (0-10%), cervical spine (10%), ankle (10%). Combined: 70-90%.
KEY CLAIM TIP
31B PTSD claims are unique because you have both combat and law enforcement stressor sources. The VA recognizes law enforcement duties as a valid PTSD stressor even without combat deployment. If you conducted detainee operations, those experiences are separately documentable stressors. Your duty belt + body armor + prolonged standing creates one of the strongest musculoskeletal nexus arguments for any MOS.
RELATED MOS
31D (CID)31K (K9)58113P0X1
Secondary Conditions
450+ secondaries mapped
Calculate Your Rating
VA math + dollar impact
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
CLAIM RECON 2026