Citation Nr: 21073880
Decision Date: 12/13/21	Archive Date: 12/13/21

DOCKET NO. 17-63 720
DATE: December 13, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is remanded.

Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty in the U.S. Army from September 1966 to April 1969.

In November 2021, the Veteran testified at a videoconference hearing before the undersigned.  A transcript of the hearing will be associated with the claims file.

This appeal has been advanced on the Board's docket pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 20.902(c).  38 U.S.C. § 7107(a)(2).

1. Entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for PTSD is remanded.

2. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

Upon review of the record, the Board finds that the claims must be remanded for new VA examinations.  The Board sincerely regrets the additional delay caused by this remand but wishes to assure the Veteran that it is necessary for a full and fair adjudication of his claims.  

The Veteran contends that he is entitled to increased ratings for his PTSD and bilateral hearing loss. 

The Veteran last underwent PTSD and bilateral hearing loss VA examinations in September 2016.  Since that time, the record reflects that his symptoms may have worsened.  Specifically, the Veteran and his spouse testified that the Veteran has become suicidal, cannot make complex decisions, and has trouble with sleep, names, and short-term memories.  Moreover, the Veteran also testified that his hearing has worsened in the last few years and that the television volume must be loud for the Veteran to hear. 

Accordingly, the Board finds that updated VA examinations are necessary.  See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400 (1997) (noting that a claimant is entitled to a new VA examination where there is evidence that the condition has worsened since that last examination).

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Assist the Veteran in associating with the claims file updated treatment records.

2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.  The claims file should be made available to the examiner for review in connection with the examination.  The examiner should identify the nature, frequency, and severity of all current manifestations of the Veteran's PTSD and specify the degree of occupational and/or social impairment.  

*In addition to those symptoms elicited at the examination, the examiner must consider additional symptoms, if any, noted during the 2021 Board Hearing.

3. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.  Any and all studies, tests, and evaluations deemed necessary by the examiner should be performed, including the Maryland CNC test and a pure tone audiometry test. 

 

A. S. CARACCIOLO

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	T. L. Park, 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.