Citation Nr: 18147754
Decision Date: 11/07/18	Archive Date: 11/06/18

DOCKET NO. 16-36 307
DATE:	November 7, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service in the United States Army from May 1969 through April 1971.
This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2015 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).
1. Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
The Veteran submitted a private audiological examination from July 2016.  However, it is not clear from the information submitted whether the Maryland CNC test was used for speech recognition testing.  Therefore, remand is necessary to obtain complete examination results.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Advise the Veteran that he may submit any additional medical and non-medical evidence relating to his bilateral hearing loss that is not already in VA’s possession.
Specifically request authorization to obtain July 2016 audiological examination results from Carolina Ear, Nose & Throat Head and Neck Surgery Center, P.A. 
If authorization to obtain the records is granted, the RO should expressly ask whether the Maryland CNC test was used to determine speech recognition results for the audiological examination.
2. Consider whether any further medical development should be conducted and readjudicate the issue on appeal.  If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran should be provided a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).  An appropriate period of time should be allowed for response before the case is returned to the Board.
 
Vito A. Clementi
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	S. McLendon, Associate Counsel