Citation Nr: 18150120 Decision Date: 11/14/18 Archive Date: 11/14/18 DOCKET NO. 16-44 608 DATE: November 14, 2018 REMANDED Service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded. Service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded. Service connection for tinnitus is remanded. Service connection for a heart disorder is remanded.   REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from March 1969 to October 1976. He had an additional 5 months and 25 days of active service, and additional service in the Navy Reserve. The case is on appeal from an April 2013 rating decision. 1. Service connection for right ear hearing loss. 2. Service connection left ear hearing loss. 3. Service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran contends that he currently suffers from hearing loss and tinnitus related to his nearly eight years of service in the Navy as a pilot. His active duty records do not reveal hearing loss. However, a March 1973 service record indicated a hearing threshold of 20 decibels at frequencies of 4000 and 6000 Hertz and the examiner noted high frequency hearing loss. Additionally, a May 1986 record from the Veteran’s Reserve service noted left ear hearing loss based on audiologic testing. In a January 2013 statement, the Veteran indicated that for three years he flew as a pilot with the Navy. He stated the planes he flew were World War II era, he was not provided with hearing protection and the planes were constructed without sound insulation. He indicated he flew hundreds of 10-hour anti-submarine flights which led to his hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran was afforded a January 2013 VA examination which revealed current hearing loss in the Veteran’s left ear, but did not show hearing loss in his right ear for VA purposes. See 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. The examiner concluded the Veteran’s hearing loss was not related to service. She stated his active duty hearing tests revealed normal hearing sensitivity through 6000 Hz in both ears. She noted there were tests during the Veteran’s Reserve service which did show hearing loss, however, the Veteran had occupational noise exposure during that time as a pilot for American Airlines. She similarly stated the Veteran’s tinnitus is not related to service. While the January 2013 VA examiner provided an etiology opinion, she did not adequately address the Veteran’s contentions of significant noise exposure during service as a pilot without hearing protection, as well as potentially limited noise exposure as a pilot working for American Airlines. Therefore, the Board finds that the Veteran should be afforded another VA audiologic examination to determine if he does in fact have right ear hearing loss, and whether any right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus is related to service. 4. Service connection for a heart disorder. The Veteran contends that he currently suffers from a heart disorder which had its onset during service. His service treatment records are silent for any mention of a heart disorder and a May 1986 record during his Reserve service indicated normal sinus rhythm and a normal EKG. The Veteran indicated in the January 2013 statement that his heart symptoms first appeared during his service in Sicily in 1973. He noted that he was diagnosed with heart palpitations and shortness of breath and was removed from flight status for a period of time due to the symptoms. The Veteran has not yet been afforded a VA examination in connection with his service connection claim for a heart disorder. As there is competent evidence suggesting he has a current heart disorder possibly related to service, the Board finds the low threshold of the McLendon standard has been met. See McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 81 (2006). Thus, the Veteran should be afforded a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of any diagnosed heart disorder. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA audiologic examination to determine the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and/or tinnitus. First, the examiner should determine if the Veteran has hearing impairment for VA purposes, including specifically for the right ear. See 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. The examiner should then provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that any right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus had its onset during, or is otherwise related to, service. The Veteran’s lay contentions should be addressed, as well as relevant active duty and Reserve service records. The report must include a complete rationale for all opinions expressed. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination with an appropriate medical professional to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed heart disorder. The examiner should identify whether the Veteran has a current heart disability. If so, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the heart disorder had its onset during, or is otherwise related to, service. (Continued on the next page)   The report must include a complete rationale for all opinions expressed. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD B. Isaacs, Associate Counsel