The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are service-connected, as they are linked to his in-service stressors related to fear of hostile military activity during active service in Iraq. The Veteran's vestibular disorder is also service-connected due to a TBI sustained during service. Sinusitis and rhinitis with coughing have been found to be related to exposure to burn pits while serving in Balad, Iraq.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorders are linked to his reported stressors from active service in Iraq, including fear of hostile military activity. The vestibular disorder is connected to a TBI sustained during service. Sinusitis and rhinitis with coughing were determined to be related to exposure to burn pits while serving in Balad, Iraq.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- Burn pits / airborne hazards
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2017
- Citation
- 1700131
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 1700131.
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 Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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