Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Granted

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for PTSD and has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his in-service stressor, an explosion on board the USS Raleigh, resulting in deaths of sailors. Major depression is also found to be secondary to PTSD.

The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran provided sufficient new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for PTSD, which was linked to a specific in-service stressor (the boiler explosion on board the USS Raleigh). The major depression is considered secondary to the diagnosed PTSD.

Claimed conditions
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depression
How they argued it
Reopened with new and material evidence
Exposure basis
Burn pits / airborne hazards
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
August 1, 2008
Citation
0825796

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 0825796.

What this means for you

A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.