The Board has determined that there is no verified in-service stressor sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD, and the Veteran's current psychiatric diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection.
The deciding factor: There was insufficient evidence to verify an in-service stressor related to combat or fear of hostile military activity. The Veteran did not engage in combat with the enemy during his active duty service. There is no credible supporting evidence that a verified in-service stressor occurred, and the weight of the lay and medical evidence does not establish the occurrence of such stressors.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disorders, Speech Impediment
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 30, 2018
- Citation
- 1819008
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1819008.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for SMC (Aid and Attendance) was denied because he did not meet the criteria of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for SMC (Housebound Status) was also denied as he did not have a single 100% disability rating.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, but he reported a stressful incident during service which may be related to his current mental health conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, including as due to military sexual trauma (MST), should be remanded. The AOJ needs to correct any pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and obtain a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD was granted with an effective date of April 15, 2015. The prior denial of the claim was due to lack of evidence showing a clinically diagnosed condition of PTSD.
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