DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Board of Veterans Appeals

Washington DC 20420

DOCKET NO. 11-01922 MAR 2 8 2016

On September 2012 VA examination, the diagnosis was obstructive sleep apnea.

The examiner reported that he found no valid medical literature to support the claim
that sleep apnea is proximately due to or the result of PTSD. Therefore, the
examiner opined that it was less likely as not the Veterans sleep apnea was caused by
or a result of his PTSD. A June 2014 letter from Dr. D. Anaise included an opinion that
the Veterans sleep apnea was more likely than not secondary to his service-connected
PTSD. The letter cited medical literature as evidence in support of the opinion, and
included such medical literature in support of the Veterans claim. Such evidence was
also in support of a causal relationship between sleep apnea and PTSD. After a review
of the evidence of record, resolving all reasonable doubt in the
Veterans favor, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports that
the Veterans obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected
PTSD. 38 U.S.C.A. 5107; 38 C.F.R. 3.102, 3.310. The Board notes that the
September 2012 VA opinion against the Veterans claim cited the lack of medical
literature in support of a causal relationship between PTSD and sleep apnea as a
basis for concluding the Veterans sleep apnea was less likely as not caused by or a
result of his PTSD. In contrast, the June 2014 letter from Dr. D. Anaise indicated
there was a significant volume of medical literature to support the Veterans claim, and
cited to such evidence in support of his opinion that the Veterans obstructive sleep
apnea was more likely than not secondary to his service-connected PTSD.
The Board finds the June 2014 letter and opinion from Dr. D. Anaise to be more
probative and persuasive in this case as it was based on a review of the Veterans
treatment records, cited supporting medical literature, and was provided by a medical
expert competent to provide an opinion as to the etiology of the Veterans
sleep apnea. Hence, entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as
secondary to service-connected PTSD is warranted