The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as he did not have a diagnosis of PTSD at any time during the appeal period. However, his acquired psychiatric disorder, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with PTSD-like symptoms, is granted as it is related to service.,The Veteran's right ankle sprain is granted as it first manifested in service and was incurred therein.,The Veteran's chronic lower back disability is granted as it is secondary to his now service-connected right ankle sprain.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not meet all the service-connection requirements under VA regulations for a PTSD diagnosis, but the current evidence persuasively demonstrates that the acquired psychiatric disorder, other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with PTSD-like symptoms, is causally linked to his service.,The right ankle sprain was incurred in service as evidenced by service treatment records indicating treatment for an ankle injury during bootcamp and again in 2004.,The chronic lower back disability is secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected right ankle sprain.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Right Ankle Sprain, Chronic Lower Back Disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 28, 2026
- Citation
- A26039296
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 A26039296.
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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