MARINES · JOB CODE 7234
Air Defense Control Systems Operator 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 7234 research, ready to revisit
Email yourself the conditions associated with 7234 (Air Defense Control Systems Operator) and links to their guides, ready for your next research session.
Marines
YOUR STARTING POINT
Connect your role to your research.
This guide brings together conditions associated with 7234 (Air Defense Control Systems Operator). 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.
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.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
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.
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.
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.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
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)
Migraine
Severe recurring headaches that may include nausea, light sensitivity, and inability to function.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
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
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
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.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
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.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases in which pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve, narrowing the field of vision over time. The VA schedule codes it in two forms — open-angle glaucoma (DC 6013) and angle-closure glaucoma (DC 6012) — and gives them word-for-word identical rating instructions.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
Evidence covered in the guide
- Optometry records tracking eye pressure and vision over time.
- Visual field tests measuring the extent of any vision loss.
- Ophthalmologist reports documenting the diagnosis and treatment plan.
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.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
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.
Muscle Group VI (Elbow Extensors)
Injury to the muscles that straighten the elbow — the triceps and the anconeus.
Read the condition guidePreview the guide
Evidence covered in the guide
- An orthopedic specialist's report documenting the muscle injury.
- Functional use testing assessing strength and coordination.
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 7234 guide
What do the conditions in this guide represent?
They are conditions grouped with 7234 (Air Defense Control Systems Operator) 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.