Citation Nr: 18153266
Decision Date: 11/27/18	Archive Date: 11/27/18

DOCKET NO. 14-12 360
DATE:	November 27, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded. 
Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from January 1968 to August 1969.  This matter was previously before the Board in February 2018 and was remanded for additional development.  For the reasons that follow, another remand is needed before the Board can adjudicate the respective issues on appeal.  See Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998).
1. Entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss is remanded.
The Veteran testified at the Board hearing that his hearing loss is the result of intermittent bouts of otitis media that he began experiencing during active duty service and which have persisted to the present time. His service treatment records include an April 1968 record indicating the Veteran had serous otitis in both ears.
Pursuant to the Board remand, he was afforded a VA examination in April 2018 on this issue.  However, the VA examiner’s opinion did not address the Veteran’s contention that his left ear hearing loss was not the result of noise exposure, but rather due to recurring bouts of otitis media.  As such, remand is needed for an addendum opinion on this issue.
2. Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for right ear hearing loss is remanded.
The Veteran submitted several private audiograms dated in September 2014, November 2016 and September 2017 in support of his increased rating claim.  However, it is unclear whether the audiologist used the Maryland CNC test, as required by 38 C.F.R. § 4.85 (a).  On remand, clarification should be obtained on whether the private examiners used the Maryland CNC test in the word recognition testing.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain clarification on whether the private examiners who conducted audiological evaluations on the Veteran’s ears used the Maryland CNC test in the word recognition testing.
2. Obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to any incident of his active military service, to include the Veteran’s reports of experiencing recurring bouts of otitis media both during and since active duty service.  The examiner should explain whether the symptoms the Veteran has described in his left ear are attributable to the same pathology as his service-connected right ear hearing loss, or whether they are more likely attributable to another cause.  The examiner is requested to provide a complete rationale for any opinion expressed.  If an opinion cannot be provided without resort to speculation, the examiner should provide an explanation as to why this is so and note what, if any, additional evidence would permit such an opinion to be made.
 
M. E. Larkin
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Jack S. Komperda, Counsel