The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his service-connected PTSD. The Board also denied service connection for oral cancer.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for oral cancer was based on exposure during Desert Storm service.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish a separate diagnosis of sleep disorder or oral cancer, and the symptoms were found to be related to PTSD.
- Claimed conditions
- Sleep Disorder, Oral Cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2018
- Citation
- 18159770
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 18159770.
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 cause of death is due to oral cancer, which was linked to his exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death based on this evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for COPD and Sleep Disorder due to insufficient development, including a lack of VA examinations or medical opinions assessing these conditions. The RO must provide such assessments.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will need additional medical opinions regarding the onset of the Veteran's sleep disability during service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a sleep disorder, to include obstructive sleep apnea, due to insufficient evidence and the need for further development.
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