EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All MOS GuidesHM
NAVY HOSPITAL CORPSMAN
HM Hospital Corpsman
U.S. Navy
Equivalent: 68W (Army Combat Medic)
Formerly: Hospital Corpsman (unchanged since 1898), Doc
The Navy Hospital Corpsman (HM) provides medical support to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. Fleet Marine Force (FMF) corpsmen deploy with Marine infantry units and experience identical combat exposure to Marines. Non-FMF corpsmen serve in naval hospitals, clinics, ships, and submarines. FMF corpsmen are among the most decorated and combat-exposed ratings in the Navy.
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
-FMF: All Marine infantry physical demands plus medical equipment carry (aid bag 30+ lbs)
-FMF: Running under fire to treat casualties — extreme cardiovascular and psychological stress
-FMF: Carrying wounded Marines to cover (200+ lbs of casualty + gear)
-Shipboard: Standing watches in medical, confined spaces, ship motion injuries
-Hospital: Extended shifts (12-16 hours), repetitive patient handling, needle sticks
-Submarine: Confined space operations, limited medical supplies, isolation stress
-Noise exposure from weapons (FMF), ship engines, flight deck operations
SERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITIONS (8 MAPPED)
Tap a condition to expand. Use the links inside to learn more, check your rating, or prep for your exam.
PTSDDC 9411
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
FMF corpsmen treat traumatic injuries under fire. Moral injury from triage decisions and inability to save all casualties. Non-FMF: exposure to traumatic patient care. Combat stressor conceded for FMF with CAR or in designated combat zones.
38 C.F.R. 3.304(f)(2); 38 U.S.C. 1154(b)
Lumbar Spine (DDD/Strain)DC 5237-5243
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%, 40%
FMF: Same infantry loads plus medical gear. All HMs: repetitive patient lifting and transfers, bending over treatment tables, carrying stretchers.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5237-5243
TinnitusDC 6260
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%
FMF: weapons fire and explosions. Shipboard: engine room noise, flight deck operations. All: weapons qualifications.
38 C.F.R. 4.87, DC 6260
DepressionDC 9434
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 30%, 50%, 70%
Moral injury from patient deaths, combat trauma exposure, compassion fatigue. Often comorbid with PTSD.
38 C.F.R. 4.130, DC 9434
Knee Condition (Bilateral)DC 5003/5256-5263
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
FMF: infantry patrol demands. All: kneeling for patient care, running with stretchers. Bilateral factor applies.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a; VAOPGCPREC 23-97
Cervical SpineDC 5237-5243
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
FMF: helmet and NVG weight. All: head-forward posture during patient examination and treatment.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a, DC 5237-5243
Hearing Loss (Bilateral)DC 6100
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%, 20%
FMF: combat noise. Shipboard: engine room, flight deck. Submarine: machinery noise in confined space.
38 C.F.R. 4.85-4.86, DC 6100
Sleep ApneaDC 6847
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 0%, 30%, 50%
Secondary to PTSD. Published studies link PTSD to sleep-disordered breathing. CPAP use = 50%.
38 C.F.R. 4.97, DC 6847
TYPICAL RATING CONSTELLATION
An FMF HM with combat deployment commonly has: PTSD (50-70%), lumbar spine (20%), tinnitus (10%), depression (30-50%), bilateral knee (10% each), cervical spine (10%). Combined: 80-90%.
KEY CLAIM TIP
FMF corpsmen are Marines in everything but name. Ensure your DD-214 or service records reflect your FMF assignment. If you have an FMF Combat Operations Insignia or FMF pin, those are evidence of your combat exposure. Buddy statements from the Marines you served with are critical.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026