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Coast Guard · Diving / Rescue / Special Operations
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 Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician (Rating AST). 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 weapons/explosives, diving pressure, cold water, 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.
Document pressure events, hard landings, blast exposure, rescue/trauma exposure, chronic joints/spine, and ear/sinus 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 § 4.87 DC 6260 — Tinnitus. 10%: Recurrent tinnitus. This is both the minimum and maximum schedular rating. Smith v. Nicholson, 451 F.3d 1344 (Fed. Cir. 2006) confirmed that 10% is the maximum regardless of whether tinnitus is unilateral or bilateral. Tinnitus is the single…
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 § 4.124a DC 8045 — Traumatic Brain Injury. Revised effective October 23, 2008. TBI uses a unique 10-facet evaluation system across three dysfunction areas: cognitive impairment, emotional/behavioral dysfunction, and physical dysfunction. The 10 facets evaluate: (1) Memory/…
§ 4.129 Mental disorders due to traumatic stress. When a mental disorder that develops in service as a result of a highly stressful event is severe enough to bring about the veteran's release from active military service, the rating agency shall assign an evaluation of not less t…
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.