Citation Nr: 19126366
Decision Date: 04/05/19	Archive Date: 04/05/19

DOCKET NO. 17-53 630
DATE:	April 5, 2019

REMANDED

Service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded.

An initial, compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had active duty, including from August 1981 to August 1984 and June 1997 to September 1997.

1.  The issues of (i) service connection for right ear haring loss and (ii) an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss are remanded.

In an August 2013 Report of General Information, the Veteran reported that he received private treatment for his hearing loss.  The AOJ should contact the Veteran and obtain relevant records.

The Veteran last had a VA examination in April 2015, at which time he did not meet the level of a hearing loss disability for the right ear under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, though the examiner found that hearing loss was due to service.  A current VA examination to determine the level of severity is warranted.

Also, during the VA examination, the Veteran was directed to obtain medical treatment for his hearing.  Any unassociated, relevant VA medical records should be obtained.

The matters are REMANDED for the following actions:

1.  Any unassociated VA medical records should be obtained and associated with the claims file.  The last VA medical records obtained were from April 2015.

2.  Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for his private medical provider for hearing loss.  Make two requests for the authorized records from the identified facility, unless it is clear after the first request that a second request would be futile.

3.  After the above record development has been accomplished, schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his right and left ear hearing loss.  

 

H.M. WALKER

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	A. Lindio