Citation Nr: 18153715
Decision Date: 11/28/18	Archive Date: 11/28/18

DOCKET NO. 16-42 810
DATE:	November 28, 2018
REMANDED
The issue of a rating of more than 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
The issue of a rating of more than 10 percent for tinnitus is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served in the U.S. Army from January 1960 to January 1963.
This appeal is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from a November 2014 rating decision of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Montgomery, Alabama.
1. The issue of a rating of more than 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.
2. The issue of a rating of more than 10 percent for tinnitus is remanded.
On his July 2016 VA Form 9, the Veteran reported that he had been scheduled for an audiological examination at the Fort Leonard Wood Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Waynesville, Missouri, later that month. The results of this examination are not of record. There are no VA treatment records in the claims file for the period from October 2014 to April 2017. Therefore, remand is necessary to attempt to locate such records.
The Veteran has repeatedly reported dizziness in conjunction with his appeal. Remand is necessary to afford the Veteran a new VA examination to determine whether dizziness is a symptom of either his hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Associate with the record any VA clinical documentation not already of record, including all records dated between October 2014 to April 2017 and any audiological examinations or tests, including his reported audiological examination from July 2016.  All attempts to obtain these records should be documented in the claims file, along with any indication that such records do not exist or are otherwise unobtainable.
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to obtain an opinion as to the current nature of his hearing loss and tinnitus disorders, including whether dizziness is a symptom of one or both disorders. All indicated tests and studies should be accomplished and the findings reported in detail. 
All relevant medical records must be made available to the examiner for review of pertinent documents. The examination report should specifically state that such a review was conducted. The examiner must provide a comprehensive explanation for all opinions provided.
The examiner should address the following:
(a.) The severity of the Veteran’s hearing loss.
(b.) The functional impact of the Veteran’s hearing loss.
(c.) The functional impact of the Veteran’s tinnitus.
(d.) Whether dizziness is a symptom of either the Veteran’s hearing loss and/or his tinnitus.
3. Readjudicate the issues on appeal. If any benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran and his representative should be provided a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). An appropriate period should be allowed for response before the case is returned to the Board.
 
J. GALLAGHER
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	J. E. Miller, Associate Counsel