The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a depressive disorder not otherwise specified, and tinnitus. The Veteran's experiences during his tours in Iraq are found to be consistent with 'fear of hostile military or terrorist activity' as defined by VA regulations, thus meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's reported stressors align with the definition of 'fear of hostile military or terrorist activity,' which is recognized under VA regulations and supports a finding that his PTSD, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and insomnia are related to his active service.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (DDNOS), Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 24, 2014
- Citation
- 1452003
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 1452003.
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.
- Granted
The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for PTSD and Mood Disorders, both presumed conditions under the PACT Act.
- Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial ratings for anxiety disorder and TBI were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent, effective September 24, 2007. The appeal regarding the heart condition and sleep disorder is denied. The Veteran's hearing loss prior to August 24, 2015, warrants a 20 percent rating.
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