Citation Nr: 20022056 Decision Date: 03/30/20 Archive Date: 03/30/20 DOCKET NO. 15-18 666A DATE: March 30, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from October 1974 to May 1975. These matters come to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a May 2014 rating decision by the RO. The Veteran testified before the Board in January 2019 hearing. A transcript of that hearing is of record. Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Veteran was provided with a VA examination in March 2016. Following audiology testing and examination of the claims file, the VA examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the Veteran’s hearing loss was due to service because hearing was shown to be normal therein. The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims has indicated that service connection is not precluded where there is a current hearing disability where hearing was within normal limits on audiometric testing at separation from service if there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate a relationship between the Veteran's service and his current disability. See Hensley v. Brown, 5 Vet. App. 155 (1993). Accordingly, the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his current bilateral hearing loss. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims file, to include a copy of the remand, must be made available to the examiner in conjunction with the examination along with any other information the medical professional deems pertinent. A note that the claims file was reviewed should be included in the opinion. The examiner must provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e., there is at least a 50 percent probability) that the hearing loss disability had onset in service or is related to the Veteran's time in service. (Continued on the next page)   The examiner is advised that the Veteran is competent to report his symptoms and history, and such reports must be specifically acknowledged and considered in formulating any opinions. 2. Then readjudicate the claim remaining on appeal. If the benefit sought is not granted in full, furnish the Veteran with a supplemental statement of the case and an opportunity to respond, and return the case to the Board. KELLI A. KORDICH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board G. Slovick, 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.