Citation Nr: 21006857 Decision Date: 02/05/21 Archive Date: 02/05/21 DOCKET NO. 16-04 452 DATE: February 5, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Service connection for a traumatic brain injury is remanded. Service connection for a right hip disability is remanded. Service connection for a nasal deviation is remanded. Service connection for a back disability is remanded. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. Service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded. An initial rating higher than 10 percent for GERD is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran had active service in the U.S. Army from August 1997 to January 1998 and from November 2004 to December 2005. These matters were remanded by the Board in October 2018. Although the Board regrets further delay, remand is again warranted to ensure that all due process requirements are met. 1. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. 2. Service connection for a traumatic brain injury is remanded. 3. Service connection for a right hip disability is remanded. 4. Service connection for a nasal deviation is remanded. 5. Service connection for a back disability is remanded. 6. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is remanded. 7. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded. 8. Service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded. 9. An initial rating higher than 10 percent for GERD is remanded. Prior to the October 2018 remand, the Veteran requested a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing as part of his January 2016 substantive appeal. VA sent a letter to the Veteran in April 2018 notifying him that his hearing was scheduled for later that month. However, the record shows that he failed to appear. In May 2018, his representative stated that he did not receive this letter and that he would like to reschedule the hearing. In October 2018, the Board remanded these matters to schedule the Veteran for a new DRO hearing. In February 2019, the Veteran was sent notice of the RO hearing scheduled for March 5, 2019. The initial notification was returned by the Postal Service as “not deliverable as addressed” and “unable to forward.” In April 2019, another notification was sent, but was again returned as “no such number” and “unable to forward.” The record does not contain any indication that the Veteran received notification of the hearing, or that the hearing was held. In September 2019, the Veteran submitted a new claim for an increased rating for GERD. Although this claim was already pending, an attached letter from the Veteran’s representative included an updated address for the Veteran. To be clear, the Board recognizes that it is ultimately the Veteran’s responsibility to update his personal information, including any updated mailing address, with VA. The duty to assist is a two-way street. See Wood v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 190 (1991). However, given that the record does not show that the RO notified him of his scheduled DRO hearing, remand is again warranted to ensure compliance with the prior remand directive and to attempt to afford the Veteran a new DRO hearing. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for a DRO hearing at the earliest opportunity. (a.) All attempts to notify the Veteran regarding the hearing must be clearly documented in the claims file. JENNIFER HWA Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board C. Casey 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.