MARINES · JOB CODE 6316
Fixed Wing Aircraft Power Plant Mechanic F-404 Your military role & VA condition guide
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This guide brings together conditions associated with 6316 (Fixed Wing Aircraft Power Plant Mechanic F-404). 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
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.
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
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.
Degenerative Arthritis
Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) is the gradual breakdown of the cartilage that cushions a joint, producing pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced motion. DC 5003 is not primarily a ladder of its own: the schedule rates degenerative arthritis established by X-ray "on the basis of limitation of motion under the appropriate diagnostic codes for the specific joint or joints involved", so most evaluations come from the affected joint's own code and DC 5003 supplies a floor.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- X-rays or an MRI confirming joint degeneration in each affected joint - this is the evidence the rating schedule is built around.
- A doctor's notes describing joint pain, swelling, and specific functional limitations, not just general 'joint pain,' in both your own words and your provider's clinical observations.
- Documentation of any incapacitating episodes or flare-ups, since these are what can raise a claim from the 10% to the 20% tier.
Migraine
Severe recurring headaches that may include nausea, light sensitivity, and inability to function.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- Neurology consult with detailed migraine history
- Headache diary showing frequency and impact
- Employer or family statements about missed work or functional episodes
Muscle Hernia
A muscle hernia is a bulge of muscle tissue pushing through a tear or weak spot in the fascia that sheathes the muscle, usually visible or palpable at the site and most often following a specific strain, trauma or surgery.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- Imaging (ultrasound or MRI) confirming the herniation.
- An orthopedic or surgical consult evaluating the hernia's severity.
- Medical records documenting the original injury.
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.
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa — one of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion tendons and muscles where they pass over bone — most often at the shoulder, hip, elbow or knee, causing pain and painful, restricted motion. DC 5019 has no percentages of its own: it is rated as degenerative arthritis, on limitation of motion of the affected joint.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- Goniometer range-of-motion measurements, in degrees, for the affected joint — this is the only thing DC 5019 rates, and a compensable evaluation depends on comparing it against that joint's own diagnostic code.
- Examination findings recording objective painful motion, swelling or muscle spasm, which is the confirmation DC 5003 requires before the per-joint 10 percent can be assigned.
- Imaging (ultrasound or MRI) showing bursal thickening or effusion, and any aspiration or injection records, which establish the diagnosis.
Ulnar Nerve Paralysis
Damage to the ulnar nerve affecting the hand, especially the ring and pinky fingers, causing weakness, numbness, or loss of coordination.
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Evidence covered in the guide
- Electromyography (EMG) results confirming and grading the nerve damage.
- Grip strength test results comparing the affected and unaffected hand.
- A physician's neurological exam report documenting sensory and motor findings.
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A FEW HELPFUL ANSWERS
Questions about the 6316 guide
What do the conditions in this guide represent?
They are conditions grouped with 6316 (Fixed Wing Aircraft Power Plant Mechanic F-404) 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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