Navy
Rating HM
Hospital Corpsman
Navy HM (Hospital Corpsman) typically involves medical or patient-care support.
Common Exposures
🧪 Chemicals
Exposure to blood-borne pathogens, medications, cleaning agents
💪 Physical Strain
Lifting patients, long standing hours
🪖 Combat/Stress
Treating casualties, witnessing trauma
Likely Service-Connected Conditions
| Diagnostic Code | Condition | Likelihood | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5237 | Lumbosacral or cervical strain | High | Physical job demands commonly contribute to chronic back strain |
| 6847 | Sleep Apnea Syndromes | Medium | Shift work and irregular schedules |
| 9411 | Posttraumatic stress disorder | Medium | Trauma from treating casualties |
| 9434 | Major depressive disorder | Medium | Compassion fatigue and burnout |
☢️ PACT Act & Toxic Exposure
Select the era that best matches when you served to see how this job’s toxic exposures changed over time.
Vietnam Era
📅 1962-1975
Agent Orange / Herbicides
PACT Act
Handling casualties and equipment contaminated with herbicides and field residue.
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.
Tropical Disease Exposure
Frequent treatment of infectious diseases in tropical environments.
Cold War Era
📅 1945-1991
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.
Gulf War Era
📅 1990-2001
Depleted Uranium
PACT Act
Potential contact with depleted uranium residue on casualties and equipment.
Anthrax / PB Tablets
Frequent proximity to anthrax vaccination and PB tablet administration campaigns.
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.
Post-9/11 Era
📅 2001-present
Burn Pits
PACT Act
Aid station and clinic proximity to burn pits and base smoke exposure.
Blood-Borne Pathogens
Exposure risk from trauma care, blood, and bodily fluids.
IED Blast Exposure
Exposure to blast residue and contaminated gear on casualties.
Mass Casualty Trauma
Psychological stress from repeated mass casualty response.
Needlestick Injuries
Needlestick and sharps injuries during patient care.
Pharmaceutical Exposure
Handling medications, sterilants, and medical chemicals.