Citation Nr: 18159896
Decision Date: 12/21/18	Archive Date: 12/20/18

DOCKET NO. 16-62 112
DATE:	December 21, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, to include as secondary to service-connected sinus disability, is remanded.
Entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).  

REASONS FOR REMAND
In October 2017, the Board, in pertinent part, remanded the claim of service connection for sleep apnea to include as secondary to service-connected sinus disability to obtain additional development. The Board requested a new medical examination be provided to the Veteran to address his assertions that his current sleep problems may be related to his service in the Persian Gulf.  To date, the Veteran has not been provided with the examination. The claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with this claim.  
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination to obtain an opinion as to the likely etiology of sleep apnea.  The examiner is requested to furnish an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or higher probability):
(a) that the Veteran’s sleep apnea had its onset during any period of active military duty, or is otherwise etiologically related to service.
(b) that the Veteran’s sleep apnea was caused by his service-connected sinus disability.
(c) that the Veteran’s sleep apnea was aggravated by his service-connected sinus disability. 
In rendering these opinions, the examiner must address the Veteran’s service treatment records documenting his sleep problems in March 1992.

 
M. TENNER
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	B. Hodges, Associate Counsel