The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, are found to be related to a reported military sexual trauma (MST) during active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The Board finds the evidence in equipoise on whether the MST occurred and grants service connection based on new and material evidence.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses are linked to an alleged in-service MST, which is considered a stressor related to fear of hostile military activity. The evidence supports the occurrence of this stressor, including the Veteran's own testimony and corroborating lay statements from his fellow service members.
- Claimed conditions
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Depressive Disorder
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2018
- Citation
- 1804567
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 1804567.
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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD has been dismissed as the claim was granted and effective from February 22, 2023.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is related to his active-duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.
- Granted
The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent effective from August 3, 2021. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder with Major Depressive Disorder is rated at 50 percent, effective December 14, 2021. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected conditions.
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