The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, as well as his initial rating for MDD, ratings for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee osteoarthritis, left knee instability, and degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 have all been denied. The Board found that new evidence did not establish a link between the Veteran's conditions and service.
The deciding factor: The new evidence submitted since the final denial did not provide any information linking the Veteran’s headaches or sleep apnea to his active duty service.
- Claimed conditions
- Headaches, Sleep Apnea (including sleep disorder), Major Depressive Disorder, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome of the Right Knee, Osteoarthritis of the Left Knee, Left Knee Instability, Degenerative Disc Disease of L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18151391
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 18151391.
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: Granted
The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities, which prevent him from doing enjoyable activities and daily living tasks.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for PTSD and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated and denied for increased ratings, with some conditions receiving specific disability ratings. The Veteran is granted a 60% rating for her total right knee replacement from September 4, 2015 onwards, but the other claims are denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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