Citation Nr: 21064662 Decision Date: 10/21/21 Archive Date: 10/21/21 DOCKET NO. 18-34 480 DATE: October 21, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for hearing loss. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 1979 to February 1984. The case is on appeal from January 2018 rating decision. In October 2021, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing. Service connection for hearing loss. The Veteran contends that he has hearing loss due to service. In this regard, in an October 2017 statement, the Veteran reported being exposed to loud noise from multiple aircraft taxiing, landing, and taking off while sitting in a communications van next to the flight line in Japan and Korea. Further, the Veteran reported wearing inadequate hearing protection. He also reported being exposed to loud noise and experiencing the onset of hearing loss during in-service weapons firing. The Veteran reported wearing hearing protection, however, the blasts from the weapons were so loud that he had to leave the firing range with long, lasting residual ringing in his ears. He reported that the ringing in his hears continues to bother him. At the October 2021 hearing, the Veteran reported the need to turn on volume high in order to hear the television. He also reported receiving treatment for hearing problems from the VA. The Veteran's representative stated that the RO did not consider all of the Veteran's evidence to include the Veteran's April 1982 auditory examination, which the representative maintained, show auditory threshold shifts indicative of hearing loss. The Veteran's service personnel records (SPRs) show that he served as a Field Wireman in the Marines at Okinawa, Japan and Camp Pendleton, California. Further, the SPRs show that he fired the 45 pistol and the M16 rifle at least 5 times during service, earning the Rifleman marksman badge medal. The Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) show that, in the May 1979 enlistment examination, the Veteran marked yes for ears, nose, and throat problems. Moreover, in the April 1980 re-enlistment examination the Veteran reported ear problems including the ears feeling full after swimming. He was noted for abnormal ears to include ear inflammation. The Veteran's separation examination was marked normal. In March 2018, the Veteran was afforded a VA examination for this claim. The audiologist reviewed the claims file. During this examination, the Veteran reported being exposed to loud noise from rifle ranges, rifles, grenades, and flight engines in Japan, Korea, Philippines, and California while wearing inadequate hearing protection during service. Furthermore, he reported that he has constant ringing in the ears. The examiner diagnosed bilateral hearing loss. The examiner opined that it was less likely than not that his hearing loss was the result of service. In this regard, the examiner found that the Veteran's STRs show no significant thresholds shifts or detrimental effects from in-service noise exposure on both ears. Also, the examiner remarked that with respect to delayed onset hearing loss, the Institute of Medicine in 2006 found "no scientific or medical basis on which to conclude that delayed onset of hearing loss exists." While the examiner found that the Veteran's service connected tinnitus is a symptom associated to hearing loss, she concluded that his hearing loss was not related to service. The Board finds that another medical opinion by an ENT specialist is warranted given the Veteran's lay statements, service connection for tinnitus based on noise exposure, and his particular service history. The Board also finds that there may be outstanding relevant VA treatment records. In the October 2021 hearing, the Veteran reported that he was treated at the VA Medical Center (VAMC) at St. Cloud, Minnesota and has continued to receive VA treatment for the disability on appeal. Any VA treatment records are within VA's constructive possession, and are considered potentially relevant to the issue on appeal. A remand is required to allow VA to obtain them. This claim is REMANDED for the following actions: 1. Obtain VA treatment records from VAMC St. Cloud since March 1984. 2. Forward the claims file to an ENT specialist for a medical opinion as to the nature and etiology of his hearing loss. The need for an in-person clinical examination of the Veteran should be determined by the examiner. The record, including a complete copy of this remand, should be made available for review. The ENT should address the following: (a.) Whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hearing loss had its onset during, or is otherwise related to, his military service.to include as due to noise exposure as a Field Communication Wireman Specialist with noise exposure from rifle ranges, rifles, pistols, grenades, and active flight engines during service. (b.) The examiner is asked to consider and address the Veteran's prior grant of service connection for tinnitus based on noise exposure during service, and the March 2018 VA examiner's determination that his tinnitus is a symptom of his hearing loss A rationale should be provided for opinions expressed. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Nevarez-Myrick, Nancy 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.