Citation Nr: 18157853 Decision Date: 12/13/18 Archive Date: 12/13/18 DOCKET NO. 17-05 464A DATE: December 13, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for weakness, to include as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for fatigue, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a respiratory condition, to include as secondary to service-connected PTSD, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1982 to January 1994. 1. Entitlement to service connection for weakness, fatigue, and headaches are remanded. The Veteran submits that he should be service-connected for weakness, fatigue, and headaches. The record indicates the Veteran has sleep problems, which may contribute to his fatigue, headaches, and feelings of weakness. The Board notes that in several treatment records, the Veteran has been diagnosed with insomnia. Further, in a December 2016 treatment record, the Veteran expressed a belief that his psychiatric medication contributed to his fatigue. The Board also notes that in a November 2014 letter, the Veteran reported having headaches and nightmares related to an in-service incident that was one of the stressors for his service-connected PTSD. Based on the foregoing, the Board finds that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine whether his alleged weakness, fatigue, and headaches are related to service, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD (and the medications he has been prescribed for that disability). 2. Entitlement to service connection for a respiratory condition is remanded. The Veteran submits that he should be service-connected for a respiratory condition. In a July 2016 treatment record, the Veteran was afforded a pulmonary function test. After the test, the Veteran was given a “spacer” to use at home. In addition to that examination, treatment records indicate that the Veteran may have a respiratory problem related to his service-connected PTSD. Based on the foregoing, the Board finds that the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to determine whether he has a respiratory condition that is related to service, to include as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an examiner with appropriate expertise to determine the nature and etiology of his alleged weakness. If a diagnosis is rendered, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) that the weakness is etiologically related to the Veteran’s active service. The examiner should also provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD (to include the medications he has been prescribed for that disability). A discussion of the complete rationale for all opinions expressed should be included in the examination report, to include reference to pertinent evidence where appropriate. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an examiner with appropriate expertise to determine the nature and etiology of his alleged fatigue. If a diagnosis is rendered, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) that the fatigue is etiologically related to the Veteran’s active service. The examiner should also provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD (to include the medications he has been prescribed for that disability). A discussion of the complete rationale for all opinions expressed should be included in the examination report, to include reference to pertinent evidence where appropriate. 3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an examiner with appropriate expertise to determine the nature and etiology of his alleged headaches. If a diagnosis is rendered, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) that the headaches is etiologically related to the Veteran’s active service. The examiner should also provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD (to include the medications he has been prescribed for that disability). A discussion of the complete rationale for all opinions expressed should be included in the examination report, to include reference to pertinent evidence where appropriate. 4. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an examiner with appropriate expertise to determine the nature and etiology of his alleged respiratory condition. If a diagnosis is rendered, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or better probability) that the respiratory condition is etiologically related to the Veteran’s active service. The examiner should also provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. A discussion of the complete rationale for all opinions expressed should be included in the examination report, to include reference to pertinent evidence where appropriate. A. ISHIZAWAR Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD N. Shah, Associate Counsel