ARMY · JOB CODE 18F
Special Forces Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant Your military role & VA condition guide
The work you did is a place to start. Explore conditions associated with your role, understand what each guide covers, and take your research one step at a time.
Explore this role’s conditionsFree · No account needed
Your 18F research, ready to revisit
Email yourself the conditions associated with 18F (Special Forces Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant) and links to their guides, ready for your next research session.
Army
YOUR STARTING POINT
Connect your role to your research.
This guide brings together conditions associated with 18F (Special Forces Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant). Start with a topic that relates to your experience, then follow its guide for more detail.
Find a familiar topic
Browse the conditions or narrow them down by body system.
Look a little closer
Preview the evidence covered in each guide.
Take a useful next step
Read the full guide and organize the records you already have.
Conditions are grouped by occupational exposures and physical demands. These are research connections, not statistics about claim frequency or approval.
ALSO KNOWN AS
FOLLOW WHAT’S RELEVANT TO YOU
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.
8 of 8 conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health issue caused by a traumatic event, leading to flashbacks, anxiety, or nightmares.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
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.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
Evidence covered in the guide
- VA TBI screening and exam results
- Neurologist evaluations
- Neurocognitive tests (e.g., memory, attention)
Uveitis (Choroiditis/Iritis)
Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye that can cause redness, pain, and vision problems.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
Evidence covered in the guide
- Ophthalmology records dating each treatment visit, since the incapacitating-episode tiers are counted in visits over the past 12 months.
- Prescription history for corticosteroids, systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents, which the formula's Note (2) names as qualifying treatment.
- Records of intravitreal or periocular injections, laser treatment or surgery, also named in Note (2).
Sleep Apnea Syndromes
Sleep apnea is a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops or becomes shallow during sleep, fragmenting rest and often leading to loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Left untreated, it's also linked to higher blood pressure and heart strain, which is part of why the VA rates it based on treatment need rather than just the diagnosis.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
Evidence covered in the guide
- A polysomnography (sleep study) confirming the diagnosis - this is the evidence the rating schedule specifically requires.
- A CPAP prescription along with compliance or usage reports, since device use is what supports the 50% tier.
- Medical notes describing sleep-related symptoms like loud snoring, witnessed breathing pauses, or excessive daytime sleepiness.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GAD is a mental health condition marked by persistent, excessive worry about daily activities.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
Evidence covered in the guide
- DSM-5 diagnosis from VA or private psychiatrist
- VA C&P exam with documentation of impairment
- Personal statement outlining impact on life
Ankle, Limitation of Motion
Reduced ability to flex or extend the ankle, usually due to injury or arthritis.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
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.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
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.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
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.
GIVE YOUR RESEARCH A HOME
Put your service story in one place.
You don’t need every document to start exploring. Use this checklist to organize what you know and the records you already have.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
A FEW HELPFUL ANSWERS
Questions about the 18F guide
What do the conditions in this guide represent?
They are conditions grouped with 18F (Special Forces Assistant Operations and Intelligence 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.
On the App Store
Getting out? Keep track of what’s next.
Outbound turns your separation or retirement date into a timeline for healthcare, VA claim windows, documents, and more. Works offline, no account.