Citation Nr: 18159398 Decision Date: 12/19/18 Archive Date: 12/19/18 DOCKET NO. 18-21 700 DATE: December 19, 2018 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from February 1961 to February 1964. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a July 2017 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In October 2018, the Veteran withdrew his request for a Board hearing. Although the Board regrets the additional delay, a remand is necessary to ensure that due process is followed and there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran’s claim so that he is afforded every possible consideration. 38 U.S.C. § 5103A (2012); 38 C.F.R. § 3.159 (c) (2017). The Veteran contends that he is entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of noise exposure in service. As an initial matter, the Board observes that the record, to specifically include a July 2017 VA examination, reflects a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA regulations and a diagnosis of tinnitus. 38 C.F.R. § 3.385. Additionally, in-service noise exposure consistent with the Veteran’s military occupational specialty of plane captain/flight engineer and his duties on the flight line has been demonstrated. Therefore, the Veteran’s claim turns upon whether his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure. In this regard, the Veteran was afforded a VA examination in July 2017 so as to address the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. At such time, the examiner concluded the Veteran’s hearing loss was not related to service. In support of this opinion, the examiner indicated that hearing was well within normal limits at separation in 1964 despite the in-service noise exposure. Further, the examiner noted that there was no shift in hearing during active duty service. The Board finds that the July 2017 VA opinion is insufficient to resolve the current claims as the examiner did not adequately discuss the Veteran’s acknowledged in service noise exposure and his reports of onset of hearing loss and tinnitus since service. See Veteran’s statements dated in March 2017 and April 2018. As such, remand for an addendum opinion is necessary. Additionally, while on remand, the Veteran should be given an opportunity to identify any records relevant to the claim on appeal that have not been obtained. Currently, there are no post-service VA or private treatment records in the claims file. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. The Veteran should be given an opportunity to identify any outstanding private or VA treatment records relevant to the claim on appeal. After obtaining any necessary authorization from the Veteran, all outstanding records should be obtained. 2. Then, return the record to the VA examiner who conducted the Veteran’s July 2017 audiological examination. The record and a copy of this Remand must be made available to the examiner. If the July 2017 VA examiner is not available, the record should be provided to an appropriate medical professional so as to render the requested opinion. The need for an additional examination of the Veteran is left to the discretion of the clinician selected to write the addendum opinion. A rationale for any opinion offered should be provided. The VA examiner should offer the following opinions: (a.) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or higher degree of probability) that the currently diagnosed bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to the Veteran’s in service noise exposure? (b.) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or higher degree of probability) that the currently diagnosed tinnitus is related to the Veteran’s in service noise exposure? **In making these determinations, the examiner should consider the Veteran’s statements in his March 2017 and April 2018 correspondence regarding the onset of hearing loss and tinnitus as having occurred during service and having continued since service separation.   3. Then, readjudicate the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. If any benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran and representative should be provided a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). An appropriate period of time should be allowed for response before the case is returned to the Board. E. BLOWERS Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD R. Casadei, Counsel