Office ( RO ) of the Department of Veterans Affairs ( VA ) . The psychiatric disorder claim , including PTSD , has been previously denied . Generally , new and material evidence is generally required to reopen a previously denied claim . See 38 U . S . C . A . § 5108 ( West 2014 ) ; 38 C . F . R . § 3 . 156 ( a ) . Here , at the least , there is a liberalizing law as to PTSD claims concerning " fear of hostile military or terrorist activity . " See 75 Fed . Reg . 39843 - 52 ( July 13 , 2010 ) . Thus , new and material evidence is not necessary to reach