Citation Nr: 18159566
Decision Date: 12/19/18	Archive Date: 12/19/18

DOCKET NO. 17-51 910
DATE:	December 19, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for insomnia/sleep apnea is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from July 1979 to August 1979.
This matter came to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an August 2015 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).
1. Insomnia/Sleep apnea  
The Veteran contends that his insomnia/sleep apnea disability had its onset in service.  
In an October 2017 statement, the Veteran asserted that he began to experience some kind of bad sleep mood that was interfering with his sleep during basic training.  He noted that after about two weeks of struggling with nighttime restlessness, he often fell into sleep zones, while on night watch duty and during daily training.  See also October 2017 Email Correspondence.   
The evidence of record indicates that the Veteran has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.  The evidence further suggests sleep disorder symptoms in and since service.  The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination in conjunction with his insomnia/sleep apnea claim.  As the evidence indicates that the Veteran has current disability that may be associated with service, a VA examination should be conducted and opinion obtained as to the etiology of the Veteran’s sleep apnea disability.  38 U.S.C. § 5103A(d); McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006).  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.  The claims file, including a copy of this remand should be reviewed by the examiner to become familiar with the Veteran’s relevant medical history.
The examiner is to provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that sleep apnea had its onset during service or is otherwise related to military service, to include the symptoms described in the lay statements.

(Continued on the next page)
 
The examiner must provide a comprehensive rationale for all opinions provided.
 
Jonathan Hager
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	R. Walker, Associate Counsel