7.  How does the regulatory revision affect PTSD service connection claims where an in-service diagnosis of PTSD has been rendered?                                   The new regulation does not apply to the adjudication of cases where PTSD has been initially diagnosed in service.  Rather, under another VA rule, 38 CFR § 3.304(f)(1), if a Veteran is diagnosed with 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.

8.  Is the new regulation applicable only if the Veteran's statements relate to combat or POW service?                        No.  The rule states that the stressor must be related to a “fear of hostile military or terrorist activity,” and the claimed stressor must be “consistent with the places, types, and circumstances of the veteran’s service.”

9.  What circumstances will still require stressor verification through DoD’s Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC) , VBA’s Compensation &Pension  Service (C&P Service), or other entity if a Veteran claims that his or her stressor is related to a fear of hostile or terrorist activity?                                                                    The regulatory revision will greatly lessen the need for undertaking development to verify Veterans’ accounts of in-service stressors.  Now, stressor development may only need to be conducted if a review of the available record, such as the Veteran’s service personnel and/or treatment records, is inadequate to determine that the claimed stressor is “consistent with the places, types and circumstances of the veteran’s service.”  In such circumstances, the Veterans Service Representative (VSR) will determine on a case-by-case basis what development should be undertaken.

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