The Board denied service connection for PTSD and alcohol and cocaine use disorder, finding that the Veteran's claimed stressor did not meet the criteria for a verified in-service stressor related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no credible supporting evidence corroborating the Veteran's reported stressor of falling into the ocean while avoiding a blast. The Board also noted that the Veteran had not been in combat and did not have any fear of hostile military or terrorist activities, making it unlikely that his claimed stressor would qualify as such.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alcohol and Cocaine Use Disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2022
- Citation
- 22063605
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 22063605.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of August 17, 2022. The decision also denies the Veteran's request for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) due to lack of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.
- Granted
The Board has granted eligibility to attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the October 2024 rating decision for an increased PTSD rating and denied TDIU.
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