Citation Nr: 18154261
Decision Date: 11/29/18	Archive Date: 11/29/18

DOCKET NO. 16-55 129
DATE:	November 29, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from March 1973 to November 1995.
1. Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.
The Veteran has provided, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has obtained, medical treatment records showing that the Veteran has been diagnosed with sleep apnea.  He and his wife have submitted statements indicating that he exhibited symptoms of sleep apnea since he was serving on active military service.  Given the diagnosis and these statements, the Board finds that this is a case in which a VA examination addressing the etiology of the claimed disorder is necessary.  See McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006); 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(4).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Schedule the Veteran for a VA medical examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.  The examiner must opine on whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including the symptoms that the Veteran and his wife have stated that he exhibited during his active military service.  All opinions must be supported by a detailed rationale. 
 
A. C. MACKENZIE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	C. Banks, Associate Counsel