The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to in-service combat stressors.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with dextroscoliosis is granted as service-connected based on a period of ACDUTRA in December 1987.
The deciding factor: The evidence supports that the Veteran engaged in combat and experienced PTSD symptoms related to her military service, including deployments during Desert Shield/Storm. The private psychologist's opinion established a link between her current PTSD and these stressors.,The Veteran reported continuous back pain since December 1987, which occurred during ACDUTRA. Her buddy statements supported this history of injury. The VA x-ray confirmed the degenerative disc disease.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with dextroscoliosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21003530
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 21003530.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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