CARC Paint (Chemical Agent Resistant Coating)

What CARC paint exposure is

• Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) — the polyurethane hardener and the most hazardous component when aerosolized.
• Solvents — including xylene, MEK, and other VOCs in the CARC formulation.
• Hex chrome (prior formulations) — older CARC primers contained hexavalent chromium.
• Risk is highest during spraying and sanding; cured CARC is generally low risk.

Who was exposed

• Motor pool mechanics and body shop personnel who painted vehicles and equipment.
• Aircraft maintainers performing depot-level repainting.
• Engineer and construction units painting equipment in the field.
• Sandblasters and surface-prep crews removing old CARC layers.

Recognized conditions & VA framework

• Occupational asthma — including reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS).
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
• Chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Contact dermatitis and chemical sensitization.
• Sinusitis and chronic rhinitis.

Evidence to gather

• Service records showing MOS or duty position involving paint operations (63B mechanic, body shop, aircraft maintainer, etc.).
• Buddy statements describing spray operations without respirators or in poorly ventilated spaces.
• Industrial hygiene reports if available from your installation.
• Pulmonary function tests, methacholine challenge, or specific IgE testing for isocyanates.
• Nexus opinion from a pulmonologist or occupational medicine physician.

Claim path

1. File as direct service connection — there is no CARC presumption.
2. Cite occupational exposure to isocyanates and reference VA Public Health CARC guidance.
3. If the claimed lung condition is also covered under PACT Act § 1119 (chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma diagnosed after qualifying service), file under PACT Act presumption instead — it is the cleaner path for post-9/11 veterans.

Authoritative reference

VA Public Health publishes its own overview of this exposure. Use it as a citation in your claim narrative: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/carc-paint/index.asp

Where these claims break down

• ×Filing as a generic 'lung condition' without documenting the CARC exposure pathway.
• ×Not getting pulmonary function testing and methacholine challenge before the C&P exam.
• ×Assuming respirator use disproves exposure — many shops did not enforce respirator discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions