Citation Nr: 19162425 Decision Date: 08/13/19 Archive Date: 08/12/19 DOCKET NO. 16-32 574 DATE: August 13, 2019 REMANDED Service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy is remanded. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Service connection for tinnitus is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service in the U.S. Navy from December 1964 to September 1968. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a June 2014 rating decision. The Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge at a Board hearing in July 2019. Bilateral peripheral neuropathy During his July 2019 hearing, the Veteran identified relevant outstanding private treatment records. A remand is required to allow VA to obtain authorization and request these records.   Bilateral hearing loss and Tinnitus The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the issues of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus because no VA examiner has opined whether the Veteran’s current disabilities are related to ear infections diagnosed during service. A supplemental opinion is required. The matters are REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for any private treatment records related to his claims for hearing loss, tinnitus or peripheral neuropathy. Make two requests for the authorized records from the identified facilities or physicians, unless it is clear after the first request that a second request would be futile. (Continued on the next page)   2. Obtain an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss and/or tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to left external otitis and bilateral otitis media diagnosed during service. JOHN Z. JONES Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board Shamil Patel, Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.