The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder, are granted as at least as likely as not related to in-service military sexual trauma (MSTs). The claim for a sleep disorder is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's statements regarding MSTs were corroborated by service treatment records and civilian statements. She has been diagnosed with PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder since service, which the Board found sufficient credible supporting evidence of her claimed in-service stressors. The VA examiner was required to consider whether a sleep disorder is directly related to service or secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 26, 2026
- Citation
- A26017518
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 A26017518.
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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