Citation Nr: 18160220
Decision Date: 12/26/18	Archive Date: 12/26/18

DOCKET NO. 16-24 995
DATE:	December 26, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran, who is the appellant, had active service in the United States Army from August 1979 to June 1982, with additional service in the United States Army Reserves. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2013 rating decision from the Cleveland, Ohio Regional Office (RO).
1. Entitlement to Service Connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea is Remanded.
The Veteran contends that service connection is warranted for obstructive sleep apnea. Service treatment records show that in June 2002, the Veteran was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. After review of the record, the Board has determined that a remand is necessary.
Under the VCAA, VA is obliged to provide an examination when the record contains competent evidence that the claimant has a current disability or signs and symptoms of a current disability, the record indicates that the disability or signs and symptoms of disability may be associated with active service; and the record does not contain sufficient information to make a decision on the claim. 38 U.S.C.
§ 5103A(d) (2012); McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79 (2006). To date, the Veteran has not been provided with a VA examination to determine the etiology of the obstructive sleep apnea, therefore, a remand is necessary.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Associate any VA treatment records since April 22, 2016 with the electronic claims file.
2.  After completion of the above-specified development. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the currently diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. The examiner must have the appropriate expertise and be provided access to the electronic claims file. The examiner must indicate review of the claims file in the examination report.
The examiner is asked to provide the following opinions:
Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that the current sleep apnea is etiologically related to a period of active service?
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The examiner must comment on the Veteran’s reports of continuous symptoms since his initial period of active duty military service and the multiple buddy statements associated with the electronic claims file.
 
H. SEESEL
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	C. Teague, Associate Counsel