The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current PTSD is related to terrorist activity during active service, and the Board finds that all elements of service connection are met.
The deciding factor: The April 2011 VA examination diagnosed the Veteran with PTSD and found it was related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity, which is consistent with his service in Panama. The examiner's opinion supports the Veteran's contentions.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)]
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 5, 2017
- Citation
- 1737157
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 1737157.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for both the Veteran's eye disability and his acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that began during active service or is otherwise related to his active service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD, is granted based on verified stressors during his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran likely has PTSD that is attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds there is credible and competent medical evidence of a PTSD diagnosis resulting from disease or injury incurred in active military service. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.