Citation Nr: 20007997 Decision Date: 01/30/20 Archive Date: 01/30/20 DOCKET NO. 17-35 209 DATE: January 30, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from February 2010 to July 2013. This case comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2016 rating decision issued by a regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Veteran seeks a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. Remand for a new VA examination is necessary before the Board can decide the claim. During his most recent examination in September 2016, a VA audiologist recommended the Veteran consult with an ear, nose and throat specialist regarding possible eustachian tube dysfunction, negative middle ear pressure, a “heartbeat sound” in the ears, and a significant auditory threshold shift since his prior exam. The audiologist recommended retesting the Veteran’s hearing after medical management of those issues. Subsequent VA treatment records show the Veteran was diagnosed with likely eustachian tube dysfunction in December 2016. His primary care doctor prescribed a treatment plan and suggested a one-year follow-up. There are no additional treatment records in the claims file after June 2017. In June 2017, the Veteran reported his hearing had worsened since the last examination; he noted increased difficulty understanding people at work and school. See VA Form 9. Given this statement and the VA examiner’s recommendation that his hearing be retested, a new examination is warranted. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Associate any outstanding VA treatment records with the claims file. Obtain any additional private medical records the Veteran identifies and authorizes for release. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss. 3. Readjudicate the claim. If it remains denied, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow the Veteran and his representative the opportunity to respond. Then return to the Board for further review. KELLI A. KORDICH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board D.Z. Wall, Associate 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 This decision is not precedential, and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.