The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disability, including depressive disorder, as well as his claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to a psychiatric disability have all been denied.
The deciding factor: There is no credible evidence of in-service stressors for PTSD. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for PTSD and instead was diagnosed with depressive disorder. For the acquired psychiatric disability, there is no evidence of treatment during service and the earliest diagnosis post-service is nearly a decade after separation. There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the current condition and service or any service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired Psychiatric Disability (including PTSD and Depressive Disorder), 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
- September 2, 2020
- Citation
- 20058022
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 20058022.
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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