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VA RIN: 2900-AN32 Publication ID: Fall 2010 
Title: Stressor Determinations for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 
Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its adjudication regulations governing service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by liberalizing in some cases the evidentiary standard for establishing the required in-service stressor. This amendment will eliminate the requirement for corroborating that the claimed in-service stressor occurred if a stressor claimed by a veteran is related to the veteran's fear of hostile military or terrorist activity and a VA psychiatrist or psychologist confirms that the claimed stressor is adequate to support a diagnosis of PTSD, provided that the claimed stressor is consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the veteran's service and that the veteran's symptoms are related to the claimed stressor. This amendment takes into consideration the current scientific research studies relating PTSD to exposure to hostile military and terrorist actions. It is intended to acknowledge the inherently stressful nature of the places, types, and circumstances of service in which fear of hostile military or terrorist activities is ongoing. With this amendment, the evidentiary standard of establishing an in-service stressor would be reduced in these cases. This amendment is additionally intended to facilitate the timely VA processing of PTSD claims by simplifying the development and research procedures that apply to these claims. 
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs(VA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Completed Actions 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 38 CFR 3.304   
Legal Authority: 38 USC 501(a)    38 USC 1154   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  08/24/2009  74 FR 42617   
NPRM Comment Period End  10/23/2009  74 FR 42617   
Final Action  07/13/2010  75 FR 39843   
Final Action Effective  07/13/2010  75 FR 41092   
Correction  07/15/2010  75 FR 41092   
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Public Comment URL: www.Regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Thomas Kniffen
Compensation Service (211D)
Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Benefits Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20420
Phone:202 461-9725
Fax:202 275-1728
Email: thomas.kniffen@va.gov