The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and TDIU due to lack of credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressors occurred, and because the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy. The Veteran is currently service-connected for anxiety with depressive disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, right knee lateral instability, tinnitus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, limitation of flexion in the right and left knees, and residuals of a left wrist fracture.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claimed stressors were not verified by service records or corroborated by other evidence. The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his service in Kuwait.
- Claimed conditions
- Psychiatric Disorder Other Than Anxiety and Depressive Disorders
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 7, 2017
- Citation
- 1720303
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 1720303.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing proper notice regarding secondary service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted as his PTSD is now considered service-connected.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left leg disability is reopened, and the appeal is granted.
- 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.
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