AIR FORCE · JOB CODE 1Z4X1
Special Reconnaissance Your military role & VA condition guide
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This guide brings together conditions associated with 1Z4X1 (Special Reconnaissance). 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.
7 of 7 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)
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)
Knee, Other Impairment of
This diagnostic code covers knee instability — the knee buckling, giving out, or shifting out of place — separately from pain or arthritis. Since the 2021 rewrite it rates two named things: recurrent subluxation or instability after a ligament sprain or tear, and instability of the kneecap (the patellofemoral complex) after surgical repair. The tier you land on depends less on how bad the instability feels than on what a medical provider has prescribed for it — a brace, a walking aid, both, or neither.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- The prescription itself — the note or order from a medical provider prescribing a brace, cane, crutches, or a walker for walking. Since 2021 this is the single fact that separates the three tiers, and buying a brace over the counter is not the same thing.
- An orthopedic evaluation documenting persistent instability with stability testing (Lachman, anterior drawer, pivot shift), and stating whether a ligament tear is complete or incomplete.
- Operative reports where a ligament or the patellofemoral complex was repaired, plus follow-up notes on whether the repair held — a failed repair rates higher than a successful one on the same prescription.
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.
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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.
Cold Injury Residuals
Damage from frostbite or cold exposure causing numbness, pain, skin discoloration or circulation issues.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- Cold weather duty documentation confirming your service in a qualifying location.
- Skin exam findings documenting current residual effects.
Removal of semilunar cartilage
Residual symptoms after removal of the semilunar cartilage — the meniscus — of the knee, whether the surgery was a partial or total meniscectomy. The code pays a single 10 percent evaluation, and it turns on the knee still being symptomatic after the operation, not on the operation itself.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- An orthopedic exam documenting current, ongoing knee symptoms.
- An MRI report showing the joint's current condition post-surgery.
- Surgical history establishing when and why the meniscus was removed.
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A FEW HELPFUL ANSWERS
Questions about the 1Z4X1 guide
What do the conditions in this guide represent?
They are conditions grouped with 1Z4X1 (Special Reconnaissance) 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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