Veterans Court Victory: Client’s PTSD Claim Remanded for Reconsideration

Our firm recently achieved a significant win for a U.S. Army veteran at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The veteran served from 1978 to 1984 as a hospital food services specialist. He sustained injuries during service, including a traumatic incident involving his forehead and nose. The veteran also faced disciplinary actions and later reported being a victim of sexual assault by his ex-wife.

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals denied the veteran’s claim for service connection for PTSD. The Court, however, found the Board failed to properly assess whether the veteran’s in-service stressors, including personal assaults and the Oktoberfest bombings in Germany, had been adequately verified.

The Court ruled that the VA did not fully meet its duty to assist in verifying the stressors and failed to notify the veteran of alternate ways to prove PTSD claims stemming from personal assaults. The Court also noted that the Board did not consider whether the veteran’s disciplinary actions during service could indicate behavioral changes consistent with personal trauma.

This ruling highlights the importance of ensuring thorough evaluation and record requests by the VA when adjudicating claims for service-connected disabilities. The Court remanded the veteran’s PTSD claim for further investigation, ensuring another chance at obtaining the benefits he deserves. For more information on how we can assist with your VA claim, contact our office today.