Citation Nr: 21065361
Decision Date: 10/26/21	Archive Date: 10/26/21

DOCKET NO. 18-12 402
DATE: October 26, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to an increased initial rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Air Force from October 1963 to October 1967.

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a July 2017 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  This rating decision granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and issued a noncompensable rating effective June 7, 2017.  The Veteran properly appealed this decision, and the matter is now before the Board.

The Board finds a remand is necessary for further development.  Specifically, the Board finds the evidence suggests the Veteran's condition has worsened since his last VA examination in 2017. 

During the July 2017 VA examination for the Veteran bilateral hearing loss, the examiner noted the Veteran's speech discrimination score to be 100 percent bilaterally.  The Veteran has continued to seek treatment for his bilateral hearing loss since this VA examination.  In a June 2019 VA treatment record, the Veteran's work recognition was noted at 96 percent for his right ear and 88 percent in his left ear.  In an October 2017 VA treatment record, the Veteran's word recognition score was noted at between 72 percent and 80 percent.   

Based on the above, it is found that the Veteran's hearing loss may have worsened since his last VA examination in 2017.  In addition, there seems to be an inconsistency between the 2017 VA examination finding and the VA medical treatment records regarding the Veteran's word recognition.  Therefore, the Board finds a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination to determine the Veteran's current severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

The RO should schedule the Veteran for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.  All necessary tests should be performed, and the results reported.  The most up-to-date Disability Benefits Questionnaire must be employed, and all opinions and conclusions must be supported by a rationale.  The examiner is directed to address the word recognitions scores within the medical records. 

 

A. C. MACKENZIE

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Glaeser, Jennifer

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.