The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to military service. The new and material evidence submitted did not provide such evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there was no evidence showing it was related to his service-connected post-traumatic headaches or any other aspect of his military service.
The deciding factor: The new and material evidence submitted did not provide a link between the current back condition and service, nor did it relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for service connection for a back condition. The Veteran's testimony at the hearing was cumulative of previous statements.,The new and material evidence submitted did not provide a link between the obstructive sleep apnea and his service-connected post-traumatic headaches, nor any other aspect of his military service.
- Claimed conditions
- Back Condition, Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2018
- Citation
- 18152213
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 18152213.
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 Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected other specified insomnia disorder.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart disability, including coronary artery disease, as these conditions are found to be proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Neck Disability, and Bilateral Upper Extremity Radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's active service and medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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