The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and anxiety/depression, due to the lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors/events. The Veteran's reported stressors were not corroborated by official military records or service department research.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's reported stressors involving witnessing children being shot and seeing a decapitated head during service were not verified through official military records, and thus, his lay testimony alone was insufficient to corroborate the claimed in-service events. Without verified stressors, service connection for PTSD could not be established.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression)
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 25, 2022
- Citation
- 22054606
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 22054606.
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: Granted
The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression; a back disorder; a neck disorder; and a left knee disorder. The claims are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need to contact witnesses of the alleged in-service assault.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a skin condition, and a back condition due to various procedural errors and the need for additional development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for service connection for elevated triglycerides with high cholesterol has been withdrawn by the Veteran. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.,The Veteran is entitled to VA examinations to determine if his joint pain/arthralgias, vision problems, hypertension, hemorrhoids, stomach condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a dental disability is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety, and depression are granted.
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