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HM
NAVY HOSPITAL CORPSMAN

HM Hospital Corpsman

U.S. Navy
Equivalent: 68W (Army Combat Medic), 4N0 (USAF Aerospace Medical Tech)
The Navy Hospital Corpsman serves as the primary medical provider for Navy and Marine Corps units. HMs assigned to Fleet Marine Force (FMF) deploy with Marine infantry units and experience identical combat exposure to Marine 0311s while also providing emergency medical care under fire. Hospital-based HMs face occupational hazards including blood-borne pathogen exposure, chemical exposure, and the psychological burden of patient care in military medical facilities.
OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
-FMF: Identical combat load and patrol demands as Marine infantry (80-130 lbs) plus medical gear
-FMF: Litter carries of wounded Marines (200+ lbs) over rough terrain under fire
-Hospital: Standing for 12-hour shifts on hard floors
-Blood-borne pathogen exposure (needle sticks, open wound contact, bodily fluids)
-Chemical exposure in medical settings (sterilization agents, pharmaceuticals)
-FMF: Same blast, noise, and environmental exposure as Marine infantry
-Repetitive lifting of patients and equipment
-Sustained sleep deprivation during mass casualty events and surge operations
SERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITIONS (8 MAPPED)
PTSDDC 9411
VERY HIGH (FMF)
Typical Ratings: 50%, 70%, 100%
FMF corpsmen experience combat plus the unique moral injury of treating dying Marines. Same stressor concession as infantry with CAR/FMF badge. Hospital HMs may have PTSD from patient care trauma.
38 C.F.R. 3.304(f)(2)
Lumbar SpineDC 5237-5243
VERY HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%, 40%
FMF: Combat load plus medical bag, litter carries. Hospital: Lifting patients, standing 12-hour shifts.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
Knee Condition (Bilateral)DC 5003/5256-5263
HIGH
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
FMF: Same as Marine infantry. Hospital: Prolonged standing, kneeling for patient care.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
Shoulder ConditionDC 5200-5203
HIGH (FMF)
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%, 30%
Litter carries are extremely demanding on shoulders. Medical bag carry. Overhead lifting.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
TinnitusDC 6260
HIGH (FMF)
Typical Ratings: 10%
Same weapons and blast exposure as Marine infantry when attached to FMF units.
38 C.F.R. 4.87, DC 6260
Hearing LossDC 6100
HIGH (FMF)
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%
Same noise exposure as Marine infantry.
38 C.F.R. 4.85, DC 6100
Hepatitis / Blood-borne PathogenDC 7345/7354
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%
Needle sticks and open wound contact. Document any exposure incidents. Hepatitis B/C testing.
38 C.F.R. 4.114
Cervical SpineDC 5237-5243
MODERATE
Typical Ratings: 10%, 20%
Looking down at patients, litter carry posture, helmet weight during FMF operations.
38 C.F.R. 4.71a
TYPICAL RATING CONSTELLATION
An FMF corpsman commonly has: PTSD (70%), lumbar spine (20%), bilateral knee (10% each), shoulder (20%), tinnitus (10%), hearing loss (0-10%). Combined: 80-90%+. Hospital HMs typically rate lower but still have strong musculoskeletal and mental health claims.
KEY CLAIM TIP
FMF corpsmen have the same stressor concession as Marine infantry. Your FMF badge or deployment with a Marine unit establishes combat exposure. The unique moral injury of treating dying Marines makes HM PTSD claims among the strongest in the military. Document specific patient care incidents if possible.
RELATED MOS
68WHM-8404 (FMF)4N0
Secondary Conditions
450+ secondaries mapped
Calculate Your Rating
VA math + dollar impact
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
CLAIM RECON 2026