The Board has expanded the claim to include service connection for any psychiatric disability other than PTSD, and a remand is needed to consider both issues. The Veteran's stressors are not verified, but his fear of hostile military activity may be considered in determining whether he meets the criteria for PTSD.
The deciding factor: PTSD diagnosis requires verification of an in-service stressor; however, the Veteran's reported combat-related activities have not been corroborated. Fear associated with hostile military or terrorist activity can serve as a valid stressor if supported by medical evidence and consistent with service records.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 21, 2013
- Citation
- 1306038
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 1306038.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is rated at 100 percent, and he is granted SMC based on housebound status. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100 percent schedular rating for his service-connected acquired psychiatric disability.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her military service and not a pre-existing condition. The decision also acknowledges that her service-connected disabilities may have contributed to her current mental health issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability is being remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The AOJ will now consider these claims on their merits.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, rhinitis, and sinusitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to her military service.
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