The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The evidence received since the June 2007 rating decision is new and material to establish a link between her current mental health conditions and in-service personal assaults.
The deciding factor: The Veteran provided credible testimony regarding multiple instances of sexual harassment and assault during active duty service and periods of Army Reserve training, which have been corroborated by lay statements from friends, family members, and former co-workers. The Board finds these incidents sufficient to establish a link between the Veteran's current psychiatric conditions and her military service.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, Depression, Addictive Disorder, Substance Induced Mood Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1701403
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 1701403.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient findings regarding PTSD and depression, requiring a new VA examination.
- 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.
- 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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