The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood and Alcohol Use Disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current diagnoses and military service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s diagnosis of PTSD is primarily related to civilian stressors post-military service while he was a contractor in Iraq, not due to military sexual trauma. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood and alcohol use disorder were already established as directly related to military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, Alcohol Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19146018
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 remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 21, 2007, for the award of service connection for PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), as the Veteran's symptoms most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD and a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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.