Citation Nr: 21065729 Decision Date: 10/27/21 Archive Date: 10/27/21 DOCKET NO. 16-31 424 DATE: October 27, 2021 ORDER Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted. FINDING OF FACT Resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, he has a diagnosis of PTSD which is at least as likely as not related to an in-service stressor. CONCLUSION OF LAW The criteria for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as PTSD have been met. 38 U.S.C. §§ 1131, 5107; 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.102, 3.304. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from December 1974 to November 1975. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2013 rating decision. The Board remanded the claim in May 2021 to obtain a medical examination. The Board finds that there has been substantial compliance with the remand directives. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, requires medical evidence diagnosing the condition in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 4.125 (a); a link, established by medical evidence, between current symptoms and an in-service stressor; and credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred. 38 C.F.R. § 3.304. A diagnosis of a mental disorder, including PTSD, must conform to the criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). 38 C.F.R. § 4.125. 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(1) specifically states that if the evidence establishes a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder during service and the claimed stressor is related to that service, in the absence of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary and provided that the claimed stressor is consistent with the circumstances, conditions, or hardships of the veteran's service, the veteran's lay testimony alone may establish the occurrence of the claimed in-service stressor. 38 C.F.R. § 3.304(f)(1). In this matter, the Veteran's VA medical treatment notes indicate he has been diagnosed with PTSD, has been on medication, and also received in-patient treatment for PTSD. See September 2012 VAMC mental health treatment notes. Additionally, the Veteran's claims file contains years of mental health treatment records which show his diagnosis of and treatment for PTSD at VA medical centers. Of specific importance to the Board is the findings that the Veteran's claimed in-service stressors were sufficient to support a diagnosis of PTSD. See July 2021 VA examination. Further, the July 2021 VA examiner found that the Veteran's PTSD is at least as likely as not due to his witnessing a suicide while in the Navy. Based on the foregoing and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that the record supports a finding that that the Veteran has a diagnosis of and treatment by a VA psychiatrist or psychologist of PTSD due to a stressor which was adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, the Board finds that the evidence supports a finding that the Veteran has PTSD that is at least as likely as not related to his active service. The Board notes that the Veteran had previously asserted claims for other acquired psychiatric disorders. However, to the extent that the Veteran has asserted claims for other psychiatric disorders, including a depressive disorder, the Board finds that symptoms of any other disorders are part of the PTSD claim granted herein. 38 C.F.R. § 4.130. Accordingly, and resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board finds that service connection for PTSD is warranted. 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b); 38 C.F.R. § 3.102; Gilbert v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 49, 53-56 (1990). JOHN Z. JONES Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Jorge Barroso, Associate Counsel 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.