Citation Nr: 21071656
Decision Date: 12/01/21	Archive Date: 12/01/21

DOCKET NO. 16-56 942
DATE: December 1, 2021

REMANDED

Service connection for left ear hearing loss.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from July to November 1987, January to May 1991, July 1996 to March 1997, and March 2003 to May 2004. Thereafter, he had additional Reserve service. The case was remanded previously in July 2019 and July 2021.

On review of the service treatment records (STRs), a December 2006 Army Reserve examination report includes audiogram results which reflected left ear hearing loss for VA purposes. 

While some service personnel records are in the claims file, there is no information regarding whether the Veteran was performing active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) at the time of the December 2006 examination. As such, a remand is required in order to obtain this information.  

The matter is REMANDED for the following actions:

1. The RO should prepare a memorandum for the file which identifies all periods of service, to include Reserve service which may be qualifying for service connection purposes, whether ACDUTRA or INADUTRA service, after May 2004.

2. If necessary, a request should be made to the Department of Defense, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), or any other appropriate entity. 

3. Document all requests for information as well as all responses in the claims file. 

 

 

L. HOWELL

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	E. Redman, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.