ARMY · JOB CODE 18B
Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Your military role & VA condition guide
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This guide brings together conditions associated with 18B (Special Forces Weapons Sergeant). Start with a topic that relates to your experience, then follow its guide for more detail.
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Conditions are grouped by occupational exposures and physical demands. These are research connections, not statistics about claim frequency or approval.
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Conditions to explore.
Choose a body system, search for a condition, or open a preview. Each full guide explains its rating criteria and evidence in more detail.
9 of 9 conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health issue caused by a traumatic event, leading to flashbacks, anxiety, or nightmares.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- Formal PTSD diagnosis from a VA or private psychiatrist
- C&P exam results showing PTSD symptoms
- Buddy statements confirming trauma or symptoms
Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
TBI results from head trauma and can cause lasting issues with memory, mood, sleep, and decision-making.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- VA TBI screening and exam results
- Neurologist evaluations
- Neurocognitive tests (e.g., memory, attention)
Tinnitus
Tinnitus means you hear ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears even when there’s no sound.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- Consistent reports of tinnitus in VA exams
- History of military noise exposure (e.g., flight line, artillery)
- C&P exam confirmation
Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Hearing loss caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve, making it hard to hear clearly or distinguish words.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- A VA-compliant audiogram including Maryland CNC speech discrimination testing, performed by a state-licensed audiologist without hearing aids.
- Evidence of in-service noise exposure, such as an MOS with a recognized high noise profile or documented acoustic trauma.
- Lay statements from coworkers or family describing communication difficulty.
Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain
A strain or sprain of the muscles and ligaments supporting the neck or lower back, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion — often from lifting, impact, or repetitive strain during service.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- C&P or orthopedic exam showing measured loss of range of motion, muscle spasm, or guarding
- Service treatment records documenting the in-service injury, incident, or repetitive strain
- Buddy statements or personnel records corroborating the in-service event (e.g., heavy lifting, vehicle accident, parachute jumps)
Arm, Limitation of Motion
Difficulty or inability to raise the arm due to injury or joint damage.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- Range-of-motion test results specifically measuring how high the arm can be raised.
- Orthopedic evaluations documenting the underlying cause of the limitation.
Ankle, Limitation of Motion
Reduced ability to flex or extend the ankle, usually due to injury or arthritis.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- An orthopedic exam specifically documenting range-of-motion measurements.
- X-rays or an MRI showing the underlying cause of the limitation.
Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis is inflammation of the sheath that surrounds a tendon, causing pain, swelling and catching on movement. Since February 7, 2021 DC 5024 has covered a wider family — the schedule titles it "Tenosynovitis, tendinitis, tendinosis or tendinopathy", so rotator cuff tendinitis, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, lateral epicondylitis, Achilles tendinopathy and trigger finger are all rated here. The code has no percentages of its own: it is rated as degenerative arthritis, on limitation of motion of the affected part.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- Goniometer range-of-motion measurements, in degrees, for the joint the affected tendon crosses — this is the only thing DC 5024 rates.
- Examination findings recording objective painful motion, localized swelling along the tendon, or crepitus, which is the confirmation DC 5003 requires before the per-joint 10 percent can be assigned.
- Ultrasound or MRI showing tendon sheath thickening, tendinosis or a partial tear, plus injection, splinting, physical therapy or release-surgery records.
Ankylosis of the Scapulohumeral Articulation (Shoulder Joint)
Shoulder ankylosis means your joint is stiff or frozen, severely limiting arm motion.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- X-rays or MRI confirming true joint fusion.
- Range-of-motion tests from a VA C&P exam.
- An orthopedic surgeon's report documenting the fusion's severity and angle.
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A FEW HELPFUL ANSWERS
Questions about the 18B guide
What do the conditions in this guide represent?
They are conditions grouped with 18B (Special Forces Weapons Sergeant) by the role’s occupational exposures and physical demands. Use them as a starting point for research. The list does not rank conditions by claim frequency or VA approval rates.
Where can I find rating levels and evidence guidance?
Open a condition preview for a quick look, or follow its guide link for the published rating criteria, an evidence checklist, and available exam guidance.
What if I served in more than one role?
You can explore a guide for each of your military jobs. Use the military job directory to search another code, job title, or branch, and keep notes on the experiences you want to discuss.
What if my condition is not listed here?
This is a curated starting point. The condition library has additional guides you can search by name, body system, or diagnostic code.
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