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Air Force · Medical / Dental / Behavioral Health
This profile summarizes the typical exposure environment, common VA disability claim signals, evidence to gather, and C&P exam preparation notes for veterans who served as a Air Force Surgical Specialist (Officer AFSC 45X). It is a discovery reference — not a diagnosis, not a claim filing, and not legal advice.
The exposure environment most commonly associated with this role is patient handling, bloodborne pathogens, biohazards, among others. These exposures map to specific VA presumptive frameworks, audiology criteria, and musculoskeletal rating doctrine described under 38 C.F.R. Parts 3 and 4.
Veterans in this role frequently file or receive evaluations for the following service-connected conditions. This list is not exhaustive and does not replace a personal medical evaluation.
The following secondary conditions warrant review when the underlying primary condition is service-connected.
The following records are typically the most probative evidence to support claims for veterans in this occupational specialty. FOIA requests for service treatment records, personnel records, and unit-level documentation should be prioritized before filing.
Separate ergonomic injuries, patient lifting, field medicine, trauma exposure, chemical/disinfectant exposure, and shift-work symptoms.
Bring documentation that establishes frequency, severity, and chronicity of symptoms. Examiners record what they observe — being clear, factual, and complete about how the condition affects daily life is essential.
38 CFR § 4.97 DC 6847 — Sleep Apnea (Obstructive). 0%: Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing. 30%: Persistent daytime hypersomnolence. 50%: Requires use of a breathing assistance device such as CPAP. 100%: Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retent…
38 CFR § 3.304(f) — PTSD Service Connection and MST. Requires: DSM-5 diagnosis per § 4.125(a), medical nexus to in-service stressor, and credible stressor evidence. Five stressor-specific provisions: (f)(2) combat veterans — lay testimony alone under 38 U.S.C. § 1154(b). (f)(3) f…
38 CFR § 4.71a — General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. Applicable DCs: 5235-5243 (covers both lumbar and cervical segments). DC 5237 Lumbosacral/Cervical Strain, DC 5238 Spinal Stenosis, DC 5242 Degenerative Arthritis, DC 5243 IVDS. Key supporting regulat…
§ 3.320 Claims based on exposure to fine particulate matter. (a) Service connection based on presumed exposure to fine particulate matter —(1) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a disease listed in paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section shall be serv…
Citations updated when 38 C.F.R. or M21-1 doctrine changes.
Public-source core occupation. Validate current status before production deployment.
Other roles with the most similar exposure profile, computed from the 6-axis exposure vector — not just career family.