Citation Nr: 21076781 Decision Date: 12/27/21 Archive Date: 12/27/21 DOCKET NO. 16-53 580A DATE: December 27, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral wrists is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from November 2006 to May 2011. The Veteran testified at a hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) in August 2021. A copy of this transcript is of record. As an initial matter, the Board acknowledges that several VA Forms 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement), were submitted in 2019 and 2020. In March 2020, May 2020, and June 2020 letters from VA, the Veteran was informed that these forms had been received, and her appeals had been placed on the docket. Subsequently, in an August 2021 letter, the Veteran was informed that VA had erroneously issued these letters, and that these appeals were not currently before the Board, as the appeal forms had been submitted by her former representative after the Veteran had already appointed a new representative. This was discussed with the Veteran at the August 2021 hearing as well. As such, the Board notes that the only appeals currently before the Board are related to the issues listed above. 1. Entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral wrists is remanded. The Veteran is seeking service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral wrists. At the August 2021 hearing, the Veteran asserted that her carpal tunnel syndrome began during service. A review of her service treatment records reveals no complaints, treatment, or diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome of either wrist. Private medical records reflect that the Veteran was noted as having carpal tunnel syndrome in 2014. Medical records also reveal that he underwent a carpal tunnel release of the right hand in 2014. In light of the fact that the Veteran has been noted as having carpal tunnel syndrome and she has reported that her symptoms began during service, the Board finds that this issue must be remanded in order to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. 2. Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded. The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea. At the August 2021 hearing, the Veteran asserted that her sleep apnea began during service. In a December 2010 service treatment record, the Veteran asserted that she was having sleep problems and had been given sleep medication while deployed. In a December 2010 Post-Deployment Health Assessment, she responded "Yes" to the question of whether she had problems sleeping or still felt tired after sleeping. In a 2014 medical record from Lake Area Family Medicine, the Veteran was noted as having insomnia and was referred for an obstructive sleep apnea evaluation. Separately, the Veteran was noted as having obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in July 2014 medical records from the Sleep Disorder Center of Louisiana. In light of the fact that the Veteran complained of sleep problems in service, she has been noted as having sleep apnea, and she reported that her sleep symptoms began during service, the Board finds that this issue must be remanded in order to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Associate the following with the claims file: (a.) All outstanding treatment records from the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (VAMC) (and associated outpatient clinics) from July 2020 to the present; and (b.) All outstanding treatment records from Ralph H. Johnson VAMC (and associated outpatient clinics) from May 2019 to the present. 2. Send to the Veteran a letter requesting that she provide sufficient information, and if necessary, authorization to enable the Regional Office (RO) to obtain any outstanding, pertinent private medical records. This should include a release for records from Dr. T. Ford who performed the carpal tunnel surgery. Request all identified records. Associate any records received, including negative responses, with the claims file. 3. DO NOT SCHEDULE THE FOLLOWING until the above VA and private medical records have been obtained to the extent possible. 4. Then, schedule the Veteran for a VA examination for her claimed carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral wrists. All appropriate tests and studies should be performed, and all clinical findings reported in detail. The claims file should be provided to the appropriate examiner for review, and the examiner should note that it has been reviewed. After reviewing the file, examining the Veteran, and noting her reported history of symptoms, the examiner should opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has carpal tunnel syndrome of either wrist that was incurred in, or caused by, the Veteran's military service. The examiner is asked to explain the reasons behind any opinions expressed and conclusions reached. 5. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination for her claimed sleep apnea. All appropriate tests and studies should be performed, and all clinical findings reported in detail. The claims file should be provided to the appropriate examiner for review, and the examiner should note that it has been reviewed. After reviewing the file, examining the Veteran, and noting her reported history of symptoms, the examiner should opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has sleep apnea that was incurred in, or caused by, the Veteran's military service. The examiner is asked to explain the reasons behind any opinions expressed and conclusions reached. MICHELLE L. KANE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board L. Durham, Counsel The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.