The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood), drug and alcohol abuse, and sleep disorder were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection could not be established as the Veteran's personality disorder is not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not find any direct link between the Veteran's current right knee disability and his military service, and found that the Veteran's sleep apnea was more likely caused by obesity after service. The examiner also indicated that there is no medical evidence to show a connection between the Veteran's eczema (dermatitis) and his obstructive sleep apnea.
- Claimed conditions
- Right Knee Disability, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (including depression, dysthymic disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood), Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Sleep Disorder (including insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 12, 2017
- Citation
- 1738421
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1738421.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are rated at 10% each, and the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted based on the evidence of record.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability, finding that there is no evidence to support an etiological relationship between his current condition and his military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records from Mays & Schnapp Pain Management and schedule the Veteran for additional medical examinations.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.