What is required for personal trauma PTSD claims regarding evidence?

For personal trauma PTSD claims, the requirement for credible evidence supporting the Veteran's assertion is crucial. Unlike some claims that may necessitate conclusive evidence or extensive documentation, claims for PTSD related to personal trauma, such as military sexual trauma, focus more on the credibility of the Veterans' accounts and supporting testimonies.

Credible evidence can be derived from various sources, including medical diagnoses, personal statements, and, importantly, corroborative testimony that adds weight to the Veteran's narrative. This flexibility in the evidentiary standard acknowledges the unique and often sensitive nature of psychological trauma, which may not always lend itself to physical documentation or conclusive proof.

Documentation from military records and statements from fellow service members can certainly bolster a claim, but they are not strictly necessary for establishing the credibility of the Veteran's experience in terms of personal trauma. Thus, while those additional forms can be helpful, the primary focus remains on the credibility of the evidence that validates the Veteran's assertion of the trauma experienced, which is why the emphasis on credible evidence is fundamental in the adjudication of such claims.