Citation Nr: 18147481
Decision Date: 11/06/18	Archive Date: 11/05/18

DOCKET NO. 16-43 006
DATE:	November 6, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a compensable initial evaluation of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from June 1965 to June 1969.
Entitlement to a Compensable Initial Evaluation of Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss Is Remanded
The Veteran was last afforded a VA examination in June 2016. That examination is now over two years old. The mere passage of time does not render an audiological examination inadequate; however, August 25, 2016 private treatment records document the Veteran’s perception that his bilateral sensorineural hearing loss has worsened.  The audiological examiner noted no significant change in the Veteran’s hearing since a June 2016 audiological examination.  Coupled with statement made through his representative in September 2016 and June 2018 statements, who requests that he receive a new examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, the Board concludes that a new examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. 
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for the facility(ies) responsible for any audiological examinations since his most recent private examination in August 2016.  
2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.  The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria.  To the extent possible, the examiner should identify any symptoms and functional impairments due to bilateral sensorineural hearing loss alone and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s bilateral sensorineural hearing loss on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living.
 
MICHAEL A. HERMAN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Douglas M. Humphrey, Associate Counsel