The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of PTSD based on an in-service traumatic event, and the psychiatric disorder was not documented during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Depression, was denied.
The deciding factor: The absence of symptoms constituting negative evidence and the lack of continuity of symptomatology between separation from service and initial confirmed clinical diagnosis weigh against establishing service connection.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 18, 2010
- Citation
- 1018478
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 1018478.
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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