Citation Nr: 20032495 Decision Date: 05/08/20 Archive Date: 05/08/20 DOCKET NO. 17-65 076 DATE: May 8, 2020 REMANDED Service connection for lumbar disability is remanded. Service connection for spontaneous pneumothorax is remanded. A compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served active duty from September 1979 to March 1988. 1. Service connection for lumbar disability 2. Service connection for spontaneous pneumothorax Evidence indicates there may be outstanding relevant records that were reported by the Veteran. First, in his April 2015 application, the Veteran reported receiving treatment at Clarksburg VAMC and Morgantown CBOC from January 2005 to the present and treatment at Wood County CBOC from January 2008 to January 2013. VA treatment records obtained by the RO start in August 2013. A remand will allow VA to obtain these records or document that no such records exist. Second, in his August 2016 notice of disagreement, the Veteran reported he was currently receiving treatment at Smith Chiropractic in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. It does not appear VA attempted to obtain these records. A remand is required to allow VA to obtain authorization and request these records. Regarding lumbar disability, an August 2015 VA medical opinion stated that due to lack of medical records after service regarding the Veteran's back condition, the examiner was unable to make an opinion without mere speculation. After attempting to obtain any outstanding relevant records, the RO should obtain an updated medical opinion about the nature and etilogy of his lumbar disability. 3. A compensable rating for left ear hearing loss The Veteran contends his left ear hearing loss increased in severity since he was last evaluated by VA in August 2015. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for an audiological examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his hearing loss. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain VA treatment records from Clarksburg VAMC and Morgantown Vet Center from January 2005 to the present, and Wood County CBOC from January 2008 to January 2013. 2. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for Smith Chiropractic in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Make two requests for the authorized records, unless it is clear a second request would be futile. 3. After the above records development is completed to the extent possible, obtain a medical opinion from an appropriate clinician about the nature and etiology any lumbar disability. An in-person examination is not required unless deemed necessary by the clinician. The clinician should: (a.) Identify any lumbar disabilities during the appeal period. (b.) For each lumbar disability identified, is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) the disability began during service or is related to service, to include the numerous service visits for back pain? 4. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the severity of his left ear hearing loss. The results of audiological testing must include, in numeric decibels, the puretone thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz and must provide the speech recognition scores using the Maryland CNC test. The audiologist must describe the effect of the Veteran's left ear hearing loss on his occupational functioning and daily activities. KELLI A. KORDICH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Winkler, 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.