Citation Nr: 21014056 Decision Date: 03/11/21 Archive Date: 03/11/21 DOCKET NO. 19-33 619 DATE: March 11, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a compensable evaluation for bilateral high frequency hearing loss is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty with the United States Army from November 1947 to October 1951 and January 1952 to June 1968. This matter comes to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a December 2018 rating decision by the Regional Office (RO) of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Veteran testified at a December 2020 hearing at the RO held before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) via videoconference. A transcript of the hearing is associated with the electronic claims file. The Veteran was last afforded a VA hearing loss examination in July 2018. The Veteran underwent additional audiometric testing at a VA medical facility in January 2020 because the Veteran was having trouble with his hearing aids. Although the Veteran has submitted copies of the audiogram from that evaluation, no information regarding speech recognition testing or the audiologist’s comments was provided. The audiogram alone does not meet the requirements for a valid examination. 38 C.F.R. § 4.85(a). The evidence of record suggests that the Veteran’s hearing loss has worsened since his July 2018 VA examination. In both his November 2018 notice of disagreement (NOD) and during the Board hearing, the Veteran has contended that his hearing loss as worsened. Additionally, the results of the January 2020 audiogram show objective worsening at several thresholds, particularly in the right ear. Updated examination findings are necessary. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain complete, updated VA treatment records. Such must include VISTA images and audiogram results. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA audiology examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The full extent of the condition and its impact on daily functioning must be described. The report must include audiometric and speech discrimination findings. 3. Then, readjudicate the remanded issue. If the benefit sought remain denied, the Veteran and his representative should be provided with a supplemental statement of the case. The case should then be returned to the Board for appellate review if otherwise in order. WILLIAM H. DONNELLY Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board S.P. Faris 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.