The Board found no evidence of in-service combat exposure or a valid PTSD diagnosis based on service stressors. The veteran's dysthymia was granted as secondary to his military service.
The deciding factor: There is insufficient credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service event actually occurred, and the VA examiner did not identify specific in-service stressors related to PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, dysthymia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 21, 2003
- Citation
- 0307552
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0307552.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder is rated at 100 percent effective November 21, 2019, due to total occupational and social impairment.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, dysthymia, and anxious distress based on the Veteran's in-service combat-related stressors.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development and evidence collection, as some relevant private treatment records have not been obtained.
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