The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as the evidence did not support a diagnosis of PTSD and there was no credible supporting evidence that the claimed stressor event in service occurred.
The deciding factor: The May 2007 VA examiner opined that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant a diagnosis of PTSD due to inconsistent accounts and potential malingering, and proposed that primary substance abuse has caused his depression (and possibly some psychotic symptoms).
- Claimed conditions
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Depression
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 15, 2008
- Citation
- 0815944
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple myeloma, back disability (secondary to multiple myeloma), and depression, with an effective date of January 26, 2021. The decision also remanded claims related to breast cancer, DEA benefits, and initial ratings.
- Denied
The veteran's bad conduct discharge precludes eligibility for VA benefits, including compensation and healthcare.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and personality disorder, due to the need for further development of the record.
- Dismissed
The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the Appellant during its pendency.
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