The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The decision found that there was no in-service stressor related to military sexual trauma or personal assault, and that any current conditions were not proximately caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran did not provide credible evidence of an in-service stressor related to military sexual trauma, and thus could not establish service connection for PTSD. The acquired psychiatric disorder was also found not to be directly related to service due to lack of a confirmed in-service stressor. Chronic fatigue syndrome was similarly denied as there was no established link between the condition and service.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2020
- Citation
- 20071984
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and somatic symptom disorder, as well as presumptive service connection for basal cell carcinoma under the PACT Act. Service connection was denied for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, right restless leg syndrome, left restless leg syndrome, an increased rating for psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, a left forehead surgical scar, and allergic rhinitis.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea, and the initial evaluation for PTSD was increased to 70 percent. Chronic fatigue syndrome was denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for a 20 percent rating for lumbosacral strain.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, as it needs a medical opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the condition prior to October 16, 2023.
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