Citation Nr: 18159313
Decision Date: 12/18/18	Archive Date: 12/18/18

DOCKET NO. 15-09 981
DATE:	December 18, 2018
REMANDED ISSUES
Entitlement to a compensable rating for a hearing loss disability of the left ear is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for a hearing loss disability of the right ear is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from June 1972 to June 1975, and on active duty in the United States Army National Guard from February 2004 to February 2009.
The Veteran is currently service-connected with a noncompensable rating for a hearing loss disability of the left ear.  Additionally, although the Veteran demonstrated diminished hearing acuity in the right ear, which the December 2011 VA examiner opined was at least as likely as not caused by or the result of noise exposure in active service, the severity of hearing loss in his right ear was not shown to reach the level required to qualify as a disability by VA regulation.  38 C.F.R. § 3.385; see also November 2008 Line of Duty Determination, and December 2011 VA audiological evaluation.  
In the November 2018 appellate brief, the Veteran asserts his hearing loss has worsened in severity since his last audiological evaluation in December 2011.  
The Board finds remand is necessary to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of hearing loss in both his left and right ear. 
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA audiological evaluation to determine the current nature and severity of his hearing loss disability.  The examiner should comment upon the occupational limitations and restrictions imposed by the Veteran’s service connected hearing loss disability, if any.
2. Readjudicate the issues on appeal.  If the benefits sought on appeal remain denied, the Veteran and his representative should be provided with a Supplemental Statement of the Case and afforded the appropriate opportunity to respond. 

 
V. Chiappetta
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	B. Mask, Associate Counsel