Citation Nr: 21070299 Decision Date: 11/23/21 Archive Date: 11/23/21 DOCKET NO. 17-46 039 DATE: November 23, 2021 REMANDED 1. Service connection for hearing loss. 2. Service connection for tinnitus. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1969 to September 1971. This case is on appeal from an October 2016 rating decision. 1. Service connection for hearing loss. 2. Service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran contends that his hearing loss and tinnitus are due to in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's service personnel records (SPRs) show that he was a radio repairman and earned a rifle marksman badge. The Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) include audiometric tests results from the June 1969 enlistment examination. The records show no reports or treatment for hearing loss or tinnitus. The Veteran's August 1971 separation examination was mark normal for the ears and drums. However, the examination shows whisper testing, but not audiometric testing. The Veteran's post-service records show that in April 2014 the Veteran was evaluated for hearing aids. The Veteran reported exposure to rifle noise in service without hearing protection and that he was right handed shooter. Also, he reported post-service occupational and recreational noise exposure without ear protection to include lawn maintenance power and chainsaw equipment, sawmill work, bartender duties, and target shooting. Further, the Veteran reported very slight, infrequent tinnitus. The audiologist found that the Veteran had moderate to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss for both ears. Additionally, the audiologist reported a speech word discrimination of 96 percent for both ears based on the Maryland CNC test. The audiologist concluded that the Veteran was a good candidate for hearing aids. In December 2016, the Veteran submitted a November 2016 private audiological examination, showing hearing loss. In this regard, the examination showed pure tone threshold averages, in decibels, of 48.75 in the right ear and 51.25 in the left ear. Speech discrimination revealed scores of 100 percent in the right ear and 96 percent in the left ear. This examination did not indicate whether the Maryland CNC test was used and does not contain evaluations or findings in regard to the Veteran's tinnitus claim. In May 2017, the Veteran was afforded a VA audiological examination for hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran reported being exposed to gunfire, rifle range, and explosions in-service and post-service noise exposure including use of power tools. He also reported that he mishears questions asked to him while he is a substitute teacher. The examiner reviewed the claims file. The examiner diagnosed bilateral hearing loss. In this regard, the examiner found that the Veteran's hearing loss is not related to in-service noise exposure. The examiner reported that the Veteran's separation examination in August 1971 does not provide frequency specific information. In addition, the examiner noted that the Veteran was exposed to loud sounds during service and had ample opportunity for loud noise damage after leaving the military. The examiner found that providing a nexus opinion in this case would require an extraordinary amount of speculation. Moreover, the examiner reported that the Veteran denied experiencing tinnitus. The Board finds that the May 2017 examination contains incomplete findings. On remand, the Veteran should be afforded another examination in regard to these claims. These claims are REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for VA audiology examination (or telehealth interview, records review, etc., if an in-person examination is not feasible) to determine the nature and etiology of his hearing loss and tinnitus. The entire claims file should be reviewed by the examiner including the Veteran's reports of in-service onset of hearing loss and tinnitus. Thereafter, the examiner is asked to: (a.) State whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's hearing loss had its onset during active service or is related to any in-service event, disease, or injury during his service, to include exposure to loud noise from gunfire, rifle range, and explosions without hearing protection. (b.) State whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during active service or is related to any in-service event, disease, or injury during his active duty service, to include exposure to loud noise from gunfire, rifle range, and explosions without hearing protection. The examiner should consider the Veteran's in-service audiometric findings as converted to ISO-ANSI standards. A rationale for all opinions expressed should be provided. If an opinion cannot be offered without resorting to speculation, the reason for this should be fully explained in the opinion. 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.