Citation Nr: 18149842
Decision Date: 11/13/18	Archive Date: 11/13/18

DOCKET NO. 16-40 198
DATE:	November 13, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for loss of teeth is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from August 1973 to August 1976.  These matters are on appeal from a December 2014 rating decision.  
1. Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
2. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for loss of teeth is remanded.
The Board notes that subsequent to the June 2016 statement of the case, the Veteran underwent VA audiology examinations in December 2016 and July 2017 to assess the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss disability.  In August 2016, VA obtained a medical opinion for a service connection claim for jaw pain; however, the opinion contains findings that are pertinent to the Veteran’s increased rating claim for loss of teeth.  Pertinent VA treatment records were also added to the Veteran’s claims file.  However, the Regional Office (RO) did not readjudicate the claims on appeal in light of this new evidence as required by 38 C.F.R. §§ 19.31, 19.37.  As such, remand is required for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.
The Board also notes that evidence contained in the claims file indicates that the Veteran may be in receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits.  However, the record does not show that any SSA records have been requested or associated with the claims file.  As the Veteran’s SSA records may contain medical evidence pertinent to the claims on appeal, on remand, these records should be obtained and associated with the claims file.                 
The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:
1. Contact SSA and request the Veteran’s complete SSA records, if available, including any administrative decision(s) on his application for SSA disability benefits and all underlying medical records in SSA’s possession.  A copy of any request(s) sent to SSA, and any reply, to include any records obtained from SSA, must be associated with the claims file.  If no SSA records are available, the file should be annotated as such with explanation.





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2. Then, readjudicate the issues on appeal with consideration of all evidence associated with the claims file since the June 2016 statement of the case.  If any benefit sought on appeal remains denied, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow the appropriate time for response.  Then, return the case to the Board for further appellate review.  
 
LESLEY A. REIN
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Melissa Barbee, Associate Counsel