The Veteran's PTSD is found to be service-connected due to a stressor during his active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations. The memory loss and insomnia are also considered as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness or chronic disability related to service. However, there is no evidence supporting a separate diagnosis for degenerative joint disease that can be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying condition.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's PTSD was found to be causally linked to his active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations and thus meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under the provisions of the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act. The memory loss and insomnia are considered manifestations of an undiagnosed illness or chronic disability related to service, as they align with the qualifying symptoms listed in 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117(g).
- Claimed conditions
- Innocently Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (PTSD), Memory Loss, Insomnia (originally claimed as a sleep disorder), Degenerative Joint Disease of the Ankles, Feet and Knees
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 7, 2011
- Citation
- 1104975
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 1104975.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that remand is required for several issues, including service connection for stroke and memory loss, as well as an increased rating for PTSD. The AOJ must verify the Veteran's claimed in-service exposures, obtain all relevant treatment records, and provide a medical nexus opinion regarding the nature of his disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD was denied as there is no indication of a pending claim prior to July 27, 2020.
- Dismissed
The appeals for service connection for insomnia, memory loss, and hearing loss are dismissed. Service connection for pulmonary fibrosis is granted under the PACT Act.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PVD, denied service connection for GERD, right knee disability, and lower back disability, and dismissed the claim of service connection for tinnitus due to lack of appealable final decision.
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