The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, sleep apnea, alopecia, and headache disorder were not shown to be related to service. The appeals for these conditions are denied.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's mental health issues began after her retirement from the Navy in 2003, following multiple family stressors including the death of a niece and conflicts at work. Her neck and low back disorders were not shown during service or related to any service-connected disability. Sleep apnea was not shown in service and is not causally related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- {"condition_name":"Acquired Psychiatric Disorder","diagnosis_details":"Major depressive disorder (MDD), severe, without psychotic features; Bipolar I"}, {"condition_name":"Neck Disorder","diagnosis_details":"Osteoarthritis of the low back not causally or etiologically related to any incident of service, nor is it secondary to a service-connected disability."}, {"condition_name":"Low Back Disorder","diagnosis_details":"Osteoarthritis of the low back not causally or etiologically related to any incident of service, nor is it secondary to a service-connected disability."}, {"condition_name":"Sleep Apnea","diagnosis_details":"Not shown in service; sleep apnea is not causally or etiologically related to any incident of service, nor is it secondary to a service-connected disability."}, {"condition_name":"Alopecia","diagnosis_details":"Not shown in service; alopecia is not causally or etiologically related to any incident of service, nor is it secondary to a service-connected disability."}, {"condition_name":"Headache Disorder","diagnosis_details":"Not shown in service; a headache disorder is not causally or etiologically related to any incident of service, nor is it secondary to a service-connected disability."}
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 16, 2019
- Citation
- 19104127
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for myasthenia gravis based on the Veteran's exposure to hazardous substances during his military service.
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