Citation Nr: 18155896
Decision Date: 12/06/18	Archive Date: 12/06/18

DOCKET NO. 14-38 814A
DATE:	December 6, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right ear chronic suppurative otitis media, status post mastoidectomy (claimed as chronic otitis media and residuals of mastoidectomy), is remanded.
Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for scar of the right scalp, status post mastoidectomy, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active military service from January 1989 to August 1994.  His appealed claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was granted in December 2014 and is no longer on appeal.  His representative, however, raised the issue of service connection for tinnitus in an October 2018 brief, and this matter is referred back to the RO for appropriate action.  
The Veteran underwent VA examinations in April 2014 and November 2016 for ear conditions.  While these examination reports reference the Veteran’s service-connected right ear disease and residual scar, they do not provide an adequate evaluation of the disabilities.  The Board finds these examinations inadequate for rating the service-connected disabilities and a new examination is necessary to decide this case.  In his substantive appeal, the Veteran related that he underwent a mastoidectomy, which he states was a “very serious surgical procedure with serious residuals, then requiring a hearing aid.”  He indicates that a compensable rating is warranted for his service-connected disabilities associated with that surgery.  A remand is required to schedule a VA ear conditions examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran’s right ear chronic suppurative otitis media, status post mastoidectomy (claimed as chronic otitis media and residuals of mastoidectomy); and residual scar of the right scalp, status post mastoidectomy.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
Schedule the Veteran for a VA ear, nose and throat (ENT) examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected chronic otitis media and residuals of mastoidectomy, including scars.  The most up-to-date Disability Benefits Questionnaire must be utilized.  The examiner should evaluate and discuss the severity of all complications of the Veteran’s ear disease and residuals, including chronic ear infection, inflammation, cholesteatoma and scars.  A detailed rationale is requested for any opinion provided.
 
A. C. MACKENZIE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M. Young, Counsel