OTHER SPECIFIED TRAUMA AND STRESSOR-RELATED DISORDER

Summary

The Veteran, who served from May 1976 to May 1979, appeals the denial of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. The Veteran contends that his condition is linked to in-service helicopter incidents. The Board recharacterized the issue to encompass any acquired psychiatric disorder, noting diagnoses of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. A November 2020 VA examination diagnosed the Veteran with other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, finding it at least as likely as not related to service, despite not meeting full PTSD criteria. This opinion was supported by VA treatment records from February 2020 and March 2019, which assessed the in-service helicopter incidents as causing severe symptoms and involved therapy describing these events. The Veteran also testified at a Board hearing, and was found competent to report what his medical professionals told him about the link between his disorders and the incidents. Resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board found the evidence established service connection for the other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder. Service connection for this disorder is granted.

Rationale

Favorable findings by AOJ for diagnosis and in-service event; VA examiner opined condition at least as likely as not related to service; Supported by treatment records linking in-service incidents to current symptoms; Veteran's testimony found competent to report medical professional's opinion

Full Decision Text

Citation Nr: A26040098
Decision Date: 04/29/26	Archive Date: 04/29/26

DOCKET NO. 210129-136718
DATE:       April 29, 2026

ORDER

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder, is granted.

FINDING OF FACT

Resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the evidence of record supports a finding that other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is related to the Veteran's active duty.

CONCLUSION OF LAW

The criteria for service connection for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder are met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.303.

REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION

The Veteran served on active duty from May 1976 to May 1979.

The rating decision on appeal was issued in December 2020 and constitutes an initial decision; therefore, the modernized review system, also known as the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), applies. 

In the January 29, 2021, VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), the Veteran elected the Hearing docket. A Board hearing was held on October 16, 2024. Therefore, the Board may only consider the evidence of record at the time of the December 2020 agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) decision on appeal, as well as any evidence submitted by the Veteran or his representative at the hearing or within 90 days following the hearing. 38 C.F.R. § 20.302(a). If evidence was submitted either (1) during the period after the AOJ issued the decision on appeal and prior to the Board hearing, or (2) more than 90 days following the hearing, the Board did not consider it in its decision. 38 C.F.R. §§ 20.300, 20.302(a), 20.801. 

If the Veteran would like VA to consider any evidence that was submitted that the Board could not consider, the Veteran may file a Supplemental Claim (VA Form 20-0995) and submit or identify this evidence. 38 C.F.R. § 3.2501. If the evidence is new and relevant, VA will issue another decision on the claim, considering the new evidence in addition to the evidence previously considered. Id. Specific instructions for filing a Supplemental Claim are included with this decision. 

The Board has recharacterized the issue on appeal as for an acquired psychiatric disorder in view of evidence showing various mental disorder diagnoses (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder). See Medical Treatment Record - Government Facility (December 2024), C&P Exam (November 2020); see also Clemons v. Shinseki, 23 Vet. App. 1, 6 (2009) (holding that the Board must consider any disability that "may reasonably be encompassed by" the description of the claim and symptoms and other submitted information.)

Service Connection

Service connection may be granted if the evidence demonstrates that a current disability resulted from an injury or disease incurred or aggravated in active military service. 38 U.S.C. § 1110; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(a). Diseases diagnosed after discharge may still be service connected when all the evidence, including pertinent service records, establishes that the disease was incurred in service. 38 C.F.R. 

§ 3.303(d).

Establishing service connection for a mental disorder for VA purposes requires diagnostic testing and a diagnosis conforming to the diagnostic criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). See 38 C.F.R. §§ 4.125, 4.130. See also, Martinez-Boden v. Wilkie, 32 Vet. App. 393 (2020) (holding that a diagnosis under DSM-5 is required for compensation for psychiatric disabilities). 

Service connection for PTSD, however, requires: (1) medical evidence diagnosing the condition in accordance with the criteria set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V), (2) a link, established by medical evidence, between current symptoms and the in-service stressor, and (3) credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred. See § 3.304(f).  

Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran contends that he has PTSD, in part, due to multiple in-service helicopter incidents. See VA 21-078
) (holding that a diagnosis under DSM-5 is required for compensation for psychiatric disabilities). 

Service connection for PTSD, however, requires: (1) medical evidence diagnosing the condition in accordance with the criteria set forth in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V), (2) a link, established by medical evidence, between current symptoms and the in-service stressor, and (3) credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred. See § 3.304(f).  

Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran contends that he has PTSD, in part, due to multiple in-service helicopter incidents. See VA 21-0781, Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD (December 2019); Hearing Transcript (October 2024). 

The Board concludes that the criteria for entitlement to service connection for other specified trauma and stressor related disorder have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 1110; 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

As a threshold matter, the AOJ has made the following favorable findings: (1) The Veteran has been diagnosed with other specified trauma and stressor related disorder pursuant to a November 2020 Initial PTSD Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ); and, (2) The evidence shows that a qualifying event, injury, or disease had its onset during service as the records show that a helicopter crashed while the Veteran was on duty. See C&P Exam (November 2020); Correspondence (November 2020); Rating Decision (December 2020). The Board is bound by these favorable findings. See 38 C.F.R. § 3.104(c). As such, the first and second elements of a service-connection claim, a current disability and in-service disease or injury, have been met. 

With respect to the question of whether the Veteran's diagnosis of other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is related to his service, the Board finds the evidence of record reasonably establishes that a nexus exists.

A November 2020 VA-obtained Initial PTSD DBQ reflects that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD under the DSM-5 criteria. See C&P Exam (November 2020). In this regard, following a review of the claims file and an examination of the Veteran, a psychologist determined that the Veteran did not exhibit persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with his reported traumatic events or exhibit negative alterations in cognitions and mood associated with the traumatic events and therefore did not meet criterion C or D to establish a diagnosis of PTSD. Id. at 8. However, the psychologist determined that although the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD, he did meet the criteria for a diagnosis of other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with symptoms including depressed mood, anxiety, suspiciousness, and chronic sleep impairment. Further, the examiner opined that it was at least as likely as not that the Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor related disorder was incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service stressors. 

The November 2020 DBQ findings that the Veteran's mental health conditions are related to his service are supported by the evidence of record. For example, during January 2019 VA mental health treatment, the Veteran's reported in-service helicopter incidents were assessed in relation to his current mental health conditions and found to cause severe symptoms. See CAPRI at 197 (February 2020). March 2019 records reflect that the Veteran received cognitive processing therapy, and part of the therapy involved him describing the in-service helicopter incidents. Id. at 152. 

Further, the Veteran testified at the October 2024 Board hearing that his medical professionals have linked his mental health disorders to the in-service helicopter incidents. See Hearing Transcript (October 2024). The Veteran is competent to report what he was told by his doctor. See Jandreau v. Nicholson, 492 F.3d 1372 (Fed. Cir. 2007).

Given the above, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the evidence of record supports a finding that his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is related to the conceded in-service helicopter incidents during the Veteran's military service.

Accordingly, the claim is granted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b); 38 C.F.R. § 3.102; Lynch v. McDonough, 21 F.4th 776 (2021).

 

 

C.A. SKOW

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	T.F.

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.130
 his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder is related to the conceded in-service helicopter incidents during the Veteran's military service.

Accordingly, the claim is granted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b); 38 C.F.R. § 3.102; Lynch v. McDonough, 21 F.4th 776 (2021).

 

 

C.A. SKOW

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	T.F.

The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.